1952, The French Riviera. Sun, sea, sand, and a ring of counterfeiters. OK, the last one isn’t traditionally associated with the Riviera, but that’s what summons Detective Inspector Meredith and Ac…| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
10 posts published by Puzzle Doctor during October 2025| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
January 1941, London, and Detective Inspector John Jago is one of those remaining at Scotland Yard to police the streets during the blitz. A time when the country should be banding together is still seen as an opportunity for some to take advantage of the chaos for personal gain – and for murder. Rosemary Webster […]| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
Brooke Parkin is facing one of her worst fears – not just school in general, but starting a new school in the run up to Christmas. Thankfully, the school has a positive Learning Support department, and the other children in the Neurokind Club, along with an understanding form tutor, and she starts to believe that […]| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
“Pay attention, 007…” For decades, Major Boothroyd – Q – had been head of the research and development arm of MI6 – Q Branch – arming their agents for their missions to put the world to rights, no matter what method they used. In particular, arming the Double 0 agents. In particular, agent 007. You […]| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
It was earlier this year when an odd coincidence happened. I happened to stumble across an advert for Death In The Dales, a crime fiction book festival in Sedbergh, that just happened to feature many, many friends of the blog – Martin Edwards, Kate Ellis, Mike Craven, Frances Brody, Tom Mead and Dolores Gordon-Smith. It’s […]| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
Investigative journalist Laura Blacklock needs a break, so the maiden voyage of the superyacht Aurora Borealis seems ideal. She has been invited by Anne Bullmer, a Norwegian billionaire who is dying from leukemia, to write the story about the billionaires on the yacht who are going to Anne’s fundraising gallery. Laura (or Lo as she […]| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
1301 and while a peace – a very fragile peace – exists between England and France, all is not well in the English court. A promise has been made that the future Edward II will marry Philip IV of France’s daughter Isabella, but the existence of Edward’s former mistress, Lady Belmont, is something of a […]| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
It’s only a couple of month now before my blog turns fifteen. That’s the crystal anniversary, I think, although enterprising jewellers who’ve realised that they can’t wait forty years to sell them, have tried to rebrand it the ruby anniversary. And I’ve been wondering how to celebrate it. Lots of young whipper-snappers were celebrating their […]| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
Anthony Mallaby’s life has led him to Little Wokeham. A doctor in the declining years of his career for a number of reasons, he has taken the role of a GP in the village. He soon becomes close to t…| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
Frank Cairnes is a broken man. A mystery novelist living in the Cotswolds, his life has been hollow since his son Martie was killed in a hit-and-run accident. With the police investigation winding …| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
Radhika (Radhi) Zaveri has returned to her family home in Mumbai from the US following the collapse of her relationship and being stricken by writer’s block. The Temple Hill district of the city is…| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
Everyone knows the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge. How after years of miserly behaviour inflicted misery on all those around him, one Christmas morning he transformed into a benevolent figure, bringing kindness to all those around. But one doesn’t become a saint overnight without a second thought. Scrooge has been making every effort to renounce his […]| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
September, traditionally one of the weakest months for the number of books that I manage to read. Term starts, with its usual plethora of distractions as classes begin again and piles of paperwork cut into my reading time. And buying a PS5 probably didn’t help either, as I run around Japan assassinating people. Thanks to […]| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
Radhi Zaveri is waiting to hear from her editor about the murder mystery that she has written – based somewhat on the murder that she solved in A Mumbai Murder Mystery. While waiting, she is resear…| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
Nestled in North Yorkshire lies Midwinter, a tiny village in the middle of nowhere. Run by the Midwinter Trust, this year a selection of six people, all with links to the world of crime-writing, ha…| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
In the north of Iceland stands a sanatorium, once used for treating cases of tuberculosis, but it has an even darker past. In 1983, a nurse was killed – strangled but with fingers cut off. Soon aft…| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
Elin S Jónsdóttir, the best-selling crime writer, has disappeared. Famed for writing a series of ten exquisite crime novels – and then stopping – there seems to be no reason for her to vanish. And …| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
1940, the early days of the war. There are safer ways of crossing the Atlantic, but for those who must make a quick crossing, for whatever reason, the most direct way is on board the M.V. Edwardic,…| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
Lights! Camera! Action! Monica Stanton, the daughter of a village vicar has come to Pineham Studios near Watford to start a screenwriting job with Albion Studios. She is rather disappointed to disc…| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
Avory Hume had told his daughter that he was pleased with her engagement to James Answell, but when Answell is summoned to a meeting with Hume in his study, the man’s attitude seems to have changed…| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
The cathedral city of Storminster is being plagued by a campaign of poison-pen letters, all typed on the same typewriter, all “signed” with a picture of the scales of justice. Some of the secrets t…| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
So, what constitutes a book worthy of the Tuesday Night Bloggers (and friends) Reprint of the Year award? Or rather, what should constitute it? Last week, for my first nomination, I cited Carter Di…| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
Seymour Merriman is holidaying in Bordeaux when to his horror, he runs out of petrol. Luckily, he gets a lift to a nearby plant that constructs pit-props – you know, those wooden things that keep a…| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
Praed Street, near Paddington, London. Back in the late 1920s, you would not want to be trying to sell property in that locale. First, one Jim Tovey, a greengrocer, is killed by a single stab-wound…| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
Ellery Queen has stepped back from detective work due to his recent traumatic investigations in Wrightsville – Calamity Town, The Murderer Is A Fox and Ten Days’ Wonder – until it takes about one m…| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
Currently there are 35, soon to be 40, reprints of Brian Flynn’s mystery novels from Dean Street Press that I had a hand in, so if you’ve read one (or more) you might want a bit of back…| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
Malcolm Stannaway lies dead and his family – the two halves of his family, from each of his wives – gather to hear who has granted what from the contents of his substantial estate. Given what sort …| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
The dark of night, and Stephen Benright was in trouble. He was stopped at a police road-block – there was a local escaped “loony” on the prowl – but managed to convince the officers that it was onl…| In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel
