"It's a bad night for most things. But a good night for crime."
That observation comes from one of the guests at a dinner party, given by a young artist on an evening when London is enshrouded by one of those awful pea-soup fogs so dear to the hearts (and plots) of Golden Age mystery writers. Shortly after that, a murder is discovered in a neighboring apartment - and away we go.
That's the starting point for a delightful Golden Age mystery by Ianthe Jerrold an author who is being rescued from obscurity by the Dean Street Press. The Studio Crime
I'm offering this as an "extra" review this week (as I continue to prolong my cruise before returning home at the end of the week). It's worth noting that this new edition of The Studio Crime contains a good critical introduction written by Curtis Evans, who writes, "The Studio Crime and Dead Man's Quarry, Ianthe Jerrold's two Golden Age detective novels, are superlative examples of the form, manifestly deserving of modeern revival." I second that whole-heartedly.
The Dean Street Press provided me with an e-book version for review, but it's also available from them as a paperback. In any format, it's worth your reading time.
Les - So glad to hear that Dean Street Press is re-issuing some of these novels. I love it when they can find new audiences.
Posted by: D | May 12, 2015 at 05:57 PM
John Christmas. LOVE that name for a sleuth. I'm adding these to my TBR vintage list, Les. Thanks for the intro.
Posted by: Yvettespaintbox | May 23, 2015 at 06:29 PM
D, I think that's one of the functions that e-books can serve particularly well - bringing back authors who really deserve a shot at a new audience.
Posted by: Les Blatt | May 23, 2015 at 07:33 PM
Yvette, that list never seems to get any shorter, no matter how many books we read. There are always new replacements coming along!
Posted by: Les Blatt | May 23, 2015 at 07:33 PM