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This novel is the second crime fiction book by John Rhode and was published by Geoffrey Bles in September 1926.
The story revolves around Doctor Priestley's investigations using facts and logic concerning the death of Austin Heatherdale who according to the police was robbed and murdered (probably by accident) by a gang of thugs on a lonely lane. The case is brought to Dr Priestley's attention by Gerald Heatherdale - the brother of Austin - who believe's that his brother was deliberately murdered and not as an accidental consequence of the robbery as he has found a written threat in his deceased brother's possessions. Gerald fears for his own safety when he also receives a similar threat & this prompts Lancelot Priestley to take the case more seriously. The story is narrated by Harold Merefield (pronounced Merryfield) - who lives in the same house as Priestley and is soon to be his son-in-law. Harold also assists Priestley with the donkey work taking a very subservient role and irritatingly panders to every condescending remark given to him by his future father-in-law and never rebels like his counterpart John Watson. Inspector Hanslett appears in the story mostly in the second half of the book - very much in the role of - the not so clever inspector from Scotland Yard. The major flaw with the story is that there are only three suspects to the crime, Mr. Withers (solicitor) Captain Murchison (beneficiary of Will but negatively upon the deaths of Austin & Gerald) and Mrs Milton (Housekeeper to Gerald Heatherdale) - there is a couple of vague allusions to a distant cousin Dr Heathergale of New Zealand who is also a beneficiary if both brothers die - but this suspect is really not worked upon (alluded to enough) to make him a real suspect. With only three suspects the discerning classical crime reader should be able to work out who is the villain very quickly - which seriously distracts from the books enjoyment.
I would give this book 6 out of 10 as it does have a few good ideas but it does show that the author was very new to this genre and the story doesn't shine in anyway.
Genre: Mystery
The story revolves around Doctor Priestley's investigations using facts and logic concerning the death of Austin Heatherdale who according to the police was robbed and murdered (probably by accident) by a gang of thugs on a lonely lane. The case is brought to Dr Priestley's attention by Gerald Heatherdale - the brother of Austin - who believe's that his brother was deliberately murdered and not as an accidental consequence of the robbery as he has found a written threat in his deceased brother's possessions. Gerald fears for his own safety when he also receives a similar threat & this prompts Lancelot Priestley to take the case more seriously. The story is narrated by Harold Merefield (pronounced Merryfield) - who lives in the same house as Priestley and is soon to be his son-in-law. Harold also assists Priestley with the donkey work taking a very subservient role and irritatingly panders to every condescending remark given to him by his future father-in-law and never rebels like his counterpart John Watson. Inspector Hanslett appears in the story mostly in the second half of the book - very much in the role of - the not so clever inspector from Scotland Yard. The major flaw with the story is that there are only three suspects to the crime, Mr. Withers (solicitor) Captain Murchison (beneficiary of Will but negatively upon the deaths of Austin & Gerald) and Mrs Milton (Housekeeper to Gerald Heatherdale) - there is a couple of vague allusions to a distant cousin Dr Heathergale of New Zealand who is also a beneficiary if both brothers die - but this suspect is really not worked upon (alluded to enough) to make him a real suspect. With only three suspects the discerning classical crime reader should be able to work out who is the villain very quickly - which seriously distracts from the books enjoyment.
I would give this book 6 out of 10 as it does have a few good ideas but it does show that the author was very new to this genre and the story doesn't shine in anyway.
Genre: Mystery
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