Jack Haldean, successful crime author, is staying with some relatives and attends a fete. Someone who was in the RFC during the war approaches him and he is reminded of how much he disliked the man. When Boscombe, the man concerned is found dead in the fortune teller’s tent it soon becomes clea...
Arthur looked anxiously round the room. There were decanters, glasses and a soda syphon on the sideboard. He quickly mixed a brandy and soda and put it into Jack’s hands. He had to close his fingers round the glass. ‘Here, let me help,’ he said quietly. ‘You’re spilling it.’ Jack drank without se...
‘I think those are all the questions I have for you now, sir. I may have to get back to you, of course.’ Jack Haldean smiled. ‘Any time, Superintendent. Can we offer you a cup of coffee or do you have to make any further calls this evening?’ Ashley considered the matter. He’d had a busy afternoon...
She sighed and visibly relaxed when she saw Jack. ‘Thank goodness it’s only you, sir,’ she said, opening the door wide. ‘Only me?’ asked Jack, coming into the hall. He shed his panama into Lizzie’s waiting hands, his eyes crinkling in a smile. ‘I’m devastated, Lizzie.’ Lizzie’s hand flew to her m...
The two men, although both dressed in formal morning wear, in black coats and grey trousers, provided a real contrast in appearance. Bill Rackham, solid and ginger-haired, with an easy-going manner and good-natured face, somehow always managed to look slightly rumpled and unmistakably British, wh...
Never mind. The Bug was lighter, but his car, with its greater weight and low-revving engine, needed time to build up speed. The wind tore at his face and he felt the muscles in his neck and shoulders take the strain as he swung the six-cylinder car up the banking under Member’s Bridge. He pulled...
He was consciously hunting for a retreat. There were some very messy emotions kicking around, his own included. He’d hardly ever had so much as a disagreement with Stanton before and the argument had shaken him more than he cared to admit. They had been really close friends and at times it still ...
‘It’s got me stumped,’ said George eventually. ‘Jack, am I going crackers? I don’t suppose it’s a misprint or something, is it?’ ‘I wouldn’t have thought so,’ said Jack. ‘After all, there you are.’ He gave his friend a sideways look. ‘So, there are two George Lassiters in the world, even if this ...
The pain in his chest, where the bullet had struck home, flared into agony as he tried to move. He had to get to Anthony Brooke. He just had to get to Anthony Brooke. He scrunched his fist against the wound, steeling himself to walk. For virtually the first time in his life, he felt helpless. He ...
Rice, the head porter, confirmed that if the ordinary routine of the hotel had been carried out – and he was certain it had been – then Young Ellis would have started on his rounds about half past four, reaching the second floor and Room 206 around twenty to five. The murder, said Rice, pulling a...