Wilson and Some Others is a short story collection by the husband-wife duo of G.D.H and Margaret Cole.
The crime club title, erroneously referred to as a novel, consists of 13 stories, of which seven belong to the Coles’ series character, Inspector Wilson.
In Death in the Tankard, a man is poisoned in a crowded, noisy pub and despite there being the presence of a doctor, dies in great pain. Who among the crowd could have killed him? Thankfully Wilson is also at the pub and is able to spot the culprit. Interesting but mystery connoisseurs would be able to spot the murderer.
Murder in Church has Wilson holidaying with his friend, Dr. Michael Prendergast when the canopy of a church falls on the Rector crushing him to death. Wilson again takes charge and doesn’t allow the congregation to leave the church till the culprit is caught.
The Bone of the Dinosaur again has Wilson holidaying though with his family this time around and he is able to create a case out of a missing date.
A Tale of Two Suitcases is very much a tale of its time with reference to Stalinist Russia and the IRA, and vying political factions in the UK including the fascists.
The Motive has the Yard perplexed because there doesn’t seem to be any reason for the death of an old, miserly women who has willed her wealth to a Cat’s House.
Glass has a house catching fire. Wilson happens to be passing by.
Murder in Broad Daylight: A Broadcast Story, an abbreviated version of which was broadcast from London in 1933, is narrated by Wilson regarding a murder which occured in front of him at a time when he was not working in the Scotland Yard.
The non-Wilson stories include:
A Present from the Empire in which a woman finds that crime casts a long shadow.
Strychnine Tonic in which a couple try to kill each other, tired as they are of living together.
The Letters in which an author finds herself being blackmailed and has to take the help of her manager cum devotee with unpredictable results.
The Partner where a thief finds that somebody is keen to divest him of the pearls that he has so skillfully stolen.
The Strange Adventures of a Chocolate Box is a laugh-riot about the confusion that can be caused when unwanted gifts are passed on.
Ye Olde Englysshe Christmasse; or, Detection in the Eighteenth Century is about a lord of the manor who realises he has been robbed on Christmas Eve.
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Of the two sections, I found the non-Wilson section much better. The stories over there display that lightness of touch that are there in Coles’ work like Toper’s End. Found Wilson to be officious and over-bearing though The Motive is a fine story. All the Stories in the Others section should be republished, especially The Strange Adventures of a Chocolate Box which is just crying aloud for a Christmas Anthology.
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First Line: Bleaford, in Gloucestshire, is not a very large town.
Publication Details: 1940. London: Collins (The Crime Club), January 1, 1940.
Pages: 251
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Have you read this or any other of the Coles?
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Also submitted for Short Story Wednesday @ Pattinase
a hot cup of pleasure 
I’m glad you found some of these stories to your liking, Neeru. Isn’t it interesting how the personality of a major character can add to (or spoil!) one’s enjoyment of a story? I’ve found, too, that an insufferable or even just officious character puts me right off.
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Definitely. In mysteries esp, I have to like the policeman/detective/lawyer protagonist in order to enjoy the book. Wilson was bullying at times which I didn’t like but the second part of the book was so good. I enjoyed all the stories in that section.
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I have not read any books by G.D.H. and Margaret Cole and it doesn’t look like they are easy to find. Thanks for sharing this collection with us.
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Welcome Tracy. I think now internet archives has a couple of their mystery novels. You could borrow from there if you don’t mind reading ebooks.
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Interesting! I think I have read some stories by the Coles in BL anthologies, but can’t recall much about them. This sounds entertaining though!
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When they are good, Kaggsy, as in the second section of this book their novel, Toper’s End, they are simply brilliant.
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Thanks for adding to the Club! I only know them as left-wing political writers, so interesting to hear about their detective fiction. It seems like everyone had to write some, whatever else they wrote, in the period!
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They were Fabians among other things and looking at the tomes they wrote, I am also surprised that they also wrote detective fiction. So yes, it does seem you are correct about everybody trying their hand at mysteries:)
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