Three Black Mysteries: Black Corridors (1940), Black Thumb (1942), and Black Curl (1953)

Australian sisters, Constance and Gwenyth (or Conyth, as they were collectively called) are on the list of my favourite authors and it is always wonderful to come across their books. Earlier, this year, I read The Black Dream and here are three more of their mysteries that I read this year (in the order I … Continue reading Three Black Mysteries: Black Corridors (1940), Black Thumb (1942), and Black Curl (1953)

Poor Old Tiddy: I Don’t Like Cats by Lindsay Anson (1940)

"And what are you doing on Major Thirkell's estate at this time of night? After birds?""Birds? Oh, yess. I sought I heard a nightingale.""A nightingale in November?""Yess. it is very late, isn't it?""Late? It is impossible.""Impossible. Yess. You see, I sought I heard one, and I knew it wass impossible you see. So I sought … Continue reading Poor Old Tiddy: I Don’t Like Cats by Lindsay Anson (1940)

Short Notes: The Death Coins by Walter S. Masterman (1940)

When the telephone rings at the police station, Sergeant Grant, picks it up in a bored manner but when he hears the message - of a man claiming that he is about to be murdered and asking the police to hurry up to an address and bring along a locksmith too - his whole attitude … Continue reading Short Notes: The Death Coins by Walter S. Masterman (1940)

Last Read of 2020: The Man Who Could Not Shudder by John Dickson Carr (1940)

But most of all you were conscious of the atmosphere you breathed: an odor peculiar to such houses. The story begins, as they often do, in a bar. The story is about a haunted house, up for sale. More than a decade back, an octogenarian butler had leapt up at a chandelier, which fell off … Continue reading Last Read of 2020: The Man Who Could Not Shudder by John Dickson Carr (1940)

Five Mysteries of 1940

AUNT BEARDIE by JOSEPH SHEARING Joseph Shearing is one of the pseudonyms of prolific author, Margaret Gabrielle Vere Long, more popularly known by another pseudonym of hers, Marjorie Bowen. Last year, I read her gothic mystery, The Crime of Laura Sarelle, and was blown away. Determined to read more of her, I selected this novel … Continue reading Five Mysteries of 1940

But a Thought: Miss Hargreaves by Frank Baker (1940)

“Tis to create, and in creating liveA being more intense, that we endowWith form our fancy, gaining as we giveThe life we image, even as I do now.What am I? Nothing: but not so art thou,Soul of my thought!" Lord Byron: Childe Harold: Canto III It was through John's blog Pretty Sinister Books that I … Continue reading But a Thought: Miss Hargreaves by Frank Baker (1940)

Short Notes: Deadly Nightshade by Elizabeth Daly (1940)

I wasn't too impressed by my first Henry Gamadge: Unexpected Night but also not put-off by the author. I am glad that the second one which again involved wills, children, impersonation, natural and unnatural parents, gypsies, poisoned berries read better than the first one. Rather boldly, I thought, the author also disregarded a literary/ social … Continue reading Short Notes: Deadly Nightshade by Elizabeth Daly (1940)

Short Notes: Unexpected Night by Elizabeth Daly (1940)

I had heard about Henry Gamadge series by Elizabeth Daly and decided to begin reading them now. Unfortunately, this first one involving wills and impersonations, actors with marvellous skills, suffering heroines (who are actually insufferable), and a hero who the author is at pains to present as an insignificant normal bloke, didn't impress me much. … Continue reading Short Notes: Unexpected Night by Elizabeth Daly (1940)

Books of 1940: The 24th Horse, and They Don’t Dance Much

One of the Reading Challenges that I greatly enjoy participating in is the Birth Year Reading Challenge hosted by Jane @ Hotchpot Cafe. For this year's challenge, I've selected the year 1940 and for this purpose read two books recently. "If you don't know anything at all about jumping, we take you through a series … Continue reading Books of 1940: The 24th Horse, and They Don’t Dance Much