"The Book of the Lion"

There was definitely something peculiar going on within the Bradlock family. Book and document expert Henry Gamadge had been invited to look over some papers belonging to the late poet, Paul Bradlock, who had been murdered in Central Park a couple of years back. But then, just as Gamadge was being invited to look at those papers, Paul Bradlock's widow sold them - sight unseen - to a friend of the family, who promptly had them carted away - under Gamadge's nose, so to speak - without letting him have a look at it. Now what could cause that kind of behavior?

Well, ultimately, murder, I suppose. At least that's what eventually may underlie the strange behavior of the Bradlocks. The details may be found in Elizabeth Daly's 1948 mystery, The Book of the Lion. It is the subject of today's audio review on the Classic Mysteries podcast, and you can listen to the entire review by clicking here.

There is something about the sale of those papers, a sale carefully arranged for Gamadge to witness, which strikes him as being fishy. And so he begins to dig a little deeper...and that inquiry soon leads to murder. With the police dubious about the whole thing – any link between those literary papers and the murder of Paul Bradlock, for example, or the apparent suicide of another character – it is up to Gamadge to discover what is really happening and the true story of Paul Bradlock’s life and death. And that will involve a number of unexpected twists and turns.

I certainly enjoyed The Book of the Lion, one of the sixteen books written by Elizabeth Daly featuring Henry Gamadge. But I think there are better ones, for newcomers to both Daly and Gamadge, to choose for a starting place. Still, if you've already met Gamadge and liked his previous outings, I think you'll enjoy this one as well. It's available in a good trade paperback edition and e-book versions, all from the Felony & Mayhem Press.

The 2015 Bingo Challenge

We're closing in on the last few titles to fill the remaining squares in the 2015 Vintage Mystery Bingo challenge. under way at the My Reader's Block blog, The Book of the Lion is my entry for the square (first row, sixth column) calling for one book with an animal in the title.

Comments

[Yvettespaintbox]

I've read one Henry Gamadge book (or maybe two) but I can't say I was overly impressed, Les. Truth to tell, I found it kind of boring. Disappointing because I love Gamadge's profession and can see how it might dip him into mystery. But it's just not handled very adroitly. At least that I remember. But still, I might give another one a try one of these days. I think I'm running out of easily available vintage authors to binge on. :) Still hanging in there with Michael Innes, though I'm skirting the later books which aren't as intriguing as his earlier stuff, though still enjoyable.

[Les Blatt]

I suppose it all depends on which Daly books you read. I invariably recommend "The Book of the Dead," which I think is her best work. It's a classic mystery that will pull the ground out from under your feet when you least expect it. Well written, brilliantly plotted, masterful use of misdirection, and memorable characters.

On Innes, I'd have to agree - his earlier books generally are better than the later entries.

And new vintage authors are still coming down the pike as more and more publishers negotiate re-issue rights from often recalcitrant estates. It's a good time to be reading!