I was recently thinking that I never find Herbert Adams titles locally so I was pleasantly surprised to find one in a downtown thrift shop. I would have preferred it to be a "Roger Bennion" title but hey, I'll take anything. Come to think of it, I never find Miles Burton titles with pristine dust jackets locally either ;)
I've previously read all the authors represented in this batch with two exceptions; Gertrude Knevels (whom I was tempted to try after reading the entry for Death on the Clock in The Crime Club Compendium, yet another recent and long overdue purchase) and more embarrassingly H.C. Bailey, one of the few "name" authors whom I haven't sampled (even knowing that he's exactly the type of author whom I would enjoy). I hope to rectify that omission in the next few weeks...
I see a Milton Propper book in that batch. I'm trying to get through THE FAMILY BURIAL MURDERS (my first Propper read) and its rather slow going, though the story is fascinating and an intricate blend of Gothic atmosphere and a Croftsian train alibi study. Plus there's a strange number cipher and a sinister chauffeur a la THE BIG SLEEP.
ReplyDeleteI'll be curious to hear what you think about Sgt. Quint in Hugh Austin's book. He's a snarky SOB, IMO, but he's clever.
Propper's The Divorce Court Murder, which immediately precedes The Family Burial Murders, is high on my tbr list so there might be a post on Propper very shortly. I'll be interested to read your opinion on your first encounter with him.
ReplyDeleteI've read one Peter Quint mystery but a few years back so my recollection of the book (and of the character) is hazy to say the least.