Crime of the Fictional Variety

The Chiffon Scarf – Mignon Eberhart – First Edition 1940.

1940 First Edition published by The Sun Dial Press, New York. Octavo, 301 pages, some dust jacket chips otherwise a really good copy of a hard to come by period mystery.

More murders than Midsummer. A triangular love affair complicates a situation rife with horror! A test flight to check the performance of a new engines leaves two dead. With many a weapons about but what about “The Chiffon Scarf”?

Nebraska born Mignon Eberhardt (1899-1996) was probably America’s most successful female mystery writer during her lifetime and she wrote from the 1920’s into the 1980’s. Winner of many awards her novels compared with Agatha Christie in terms pf plot, characterisation and dramatic effect …

1940 First Edition – Sensational Mystery

$50.00

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The Nature of Crime – Joseph Conrad and Ford Madox Hueffer (Ford) – First Edition 1924

An unusual novel the third and final collaboration between Joseph Conrad and Ford Madox Ford. Originally written in 1909 but only published until June 1924 … Conrad was to die in August that year.

Published by Duckworth, London. Octavo, 119 pages, a short, pointed story. Preface by Conrad, one of the last things he penned. And, another Preface by Ford Madox Ford. Both particularly interesting writing about the effects of their collaboration [Conrad didn’t like Madox Ford’s choice of verbs]. A particularly good copy in a rather fine dust jacket.

Described by Conrad as a “Fragment” … it is a short read … we agree with Conrad’s conclusion that it is well honed and written to be read out loud for dramatic effect. They did this to each other in its crafting.

The unnamed protagonist tells his story through a series of letters to a love interest. The protagonist, a lawyer, has committed a crime, the embezzlement of trust funds over and extended period. He becomes more inwardly affected as time goes by … the letters become more frequent, and his deteriorating moral stance leads him downwards. Likely echoes difficult periods in Conrad’s early life and makes for a powerful intense drama.

An unusual novel from the Conrad / Madox Ford co-operative … when alone read out loud!

$40.00

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The Book and The Brotherhood – Iris Murdoch – First US Edition 1987

A first US edition of Iris Murdoch’s substantial and powerful novel published by Viking, New York in 1987.

Large octavo, 607 pages, printed on heavy stock paper, Complete dust jacket, with some sunning, very clean inside. A heavy book, would require an Overseas supplement. Very good condition.

A suspense novel with a romantic element, characters develop to a depth rarely achieved. Violence, passion, hatred, a duel and even murder have their place.

Iris Murdoch at the top of her game with The Brotherhood.

$25.00

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Not Proven – Bruce Graeme – First Edition 1935 – Scarce

Very scarce first edition crime novel from 1935 published by Hutchinson, London.

Part of the Superintendent Stevens and Inspector Pierre Allain series .. and following on from his novel of earlier in 1935 … Satan’s Mistress.

Octavo, 286 pages and one page catalogue. Red cloth covered boards with black designs and titling to front and spine, a pretty good dust jacket. A very good copy of a near impossible to get first edition.

Bruce Graeme was a “nom de plume” of Graham Montague Jeffries (1900-1982).

Rare crime first edition 1935.

$50.00

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Without Malice – Bruce Graeme – First Edition 1946.

A seriously spooky crime story from Bruce Graeme … pen name for Graham Montague Jeffries (1900-1982) a much loved and much published crime author. Published his first work in 1926 and his last in 1980 two years before his death.

Published by Hutchinson, London in October 1946. Octavo, 164 pages so along the lines of an “entertainment” than a full blown novel. Dust Jacket art superb. Very good condition.

The main character Detective Sergeant Marsh has a rather unusual murder to solve and the murderer could not be more unusual.

Without Malice – well maybe!

$50.00

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The Evil Shadow – A Johnny Nero Adventure – 1967

Published by Fleetway in 1967 as part of the Secret Agent Series … this number 19. Card covers, perfect bound, 122 pages plus end fill cartoons.

Quiet scarce, particularly in this condition. An upmarket, more adult, cartoon book. The Evil Shadow is set in Egypt, starts with a bomb at the Aswam dam under construction. A gold finger is found with links to valuable art work thought to be taken by the retreating German army in WWII.

High profile businessman Johnny Nero has a side line as a secret agent … and is recruited to solve the mystery along with his formidable secretary Jenny Bird they have a busy time …

Johnny Nero dealing with the “Evil Shadow” and statuesque Jenny Bird never a hair out of place.

$30.00

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The Chiffon Scarf – Mignon Eberhart – First Edition 1940.

The Nature of Crime – Joseph Conrad and Ford Madox Hueffer (Ford) – First Edition 1924

The Book and The Brotherhood – Iris Murdoch – First US Edition 1987

Not Proven – Bruce Graeme – First Edition 1935 – Scarce

Without Malice – Bruce Graeme – First Edition 1946.

The Evil Shadow – A Johnny Nero Adventure – 1967

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