Ce prolifique romancier de romans policiers a acquis une renommée principalement grâce à deux séries distinctes. L'une, sous le pseudonyme de John Rhode, présentait le scientifique légiste Dr Priestley, qui employait des méthodes scientifiques pour la détection des crimes, comme l'analyse de la boue sur les chaussures des suspects. Une seconde série, écrite sous le nom de Miles Burton, mettait en scène l'enquêteur amateur Desmond Merrion travaillant aux côtés de Scotland Yard. Les critiques ont classé cet auteur dans l'école « Humdrum » de la fiction policière, caractérisée par un accent sur les énigmes complexes et la déduction logique, analogues aux mots croisés. Son style narratif se concentrait sur la construction méticuleuse de l'intrigue et l'analyse scientifique des preuves.
Inspector Lancelot Priestley investigates a complex murder case involving a wealthy industrialist found dead in his lavish estate. As he navigates a labyrinth of secrets and deceit, the array of suspects complicates the search for the truth, making for a gripping mystery filled with intrigue and unexpected twists.
A unique anthology for crime aficionados - seven of the world's most notorious genuine murder mysteries retold by the most accomplished classic crime writers of their generation.
The next time you visit Olympia, take a good look around and see if you think it would be possible to murder someone in the middle of the crowd there without being seen... The new Comet was fully expected to be the sensation of the annual Motor Show at Olympia. Suddenly, in the middle of the dense crowd of eager spectators, an elderly man lurched forward and collapsed in a dead faint. But Nahum Pershore had not fainted. He was dead, and it was his death that was to provide the real sensation of the show. A post-mortem revealed no visible wound, no serious organic disorder, no evidence of poison. Doctors and detectives were equally baffled, and the more they investigated, the more insoluble the puzzle became. Even Dr Lancelot Priestley's unrivalled powers of deduction were struggling to solve this case.
Cecil Street, originally a British army officer, emerged as a prominent author of detective fiction, creating the renowned character Dr. Priestly, who stars in nearly fifty novels, including the notable The Elusive Bullet. Many of these early 1900s crime stories are now rare and costly, prompting the release of affordable, high-quality modern editions that preserve the original text and artwork. This initiative aims to make classic detective tales accessible to a new generation of readers.
A classic crime novel by one of the most highly regarded exponents of the genre. The murder of old Mr Fransham while washing his hands in his niece's cloakroom was one of the most astounding problems that ever confronted Scotland Yard. Not only was there a policeman in the house at the time, but there was an ugly wound in the victim's forehead and nothing in the locked room that could have inflicted it. The combined efforts of Superintendent Hanslet and Inspector Waghorn brought no answer and the case was dropped. It was only after another equally baffling murder had been committed that Dr Lancelot Priestley's orderly and imaginative deductions began to make the connections that would solve this extraordinary case.
The story begins with Mr. Wedgwood observing what he initially believes to be a large car in his yard, only to realize with shock that it is actually a hearse. This moment sets the tone for a narrative filled with intrigue and unexpected revelations, as the presence of the hearse raises questions about its purpose and the implications it holds for Mr. Wedgwood's life. The contrast between the ordinary setting and the ominous arrival of the hearse hints at deeper themes of mortality and the unforeseen events that can disrupt daily life.
Set in the backdrop of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, this 1928 novel follows the armchair detective Lancelot Priestley as he tackles a complex murder case on Praed Street. Known for his intellectual prowess, Priestley employs his analytical skills to unravel the mystery, showcasing the genre's hallmark of clever deduction and intricate plotting. This installment marks the fourth in Priestley's series, continuing to captivate readers with its engaging narrative and classic detective elements.
A classic winter's crime novel by one of the most highly regarded exponents of the genre.