Author Archives: armchairreviewer

About armchairreviewer

Qualified English teacher, with a passion for literature and crime fiction. On a random note I also own pygmy goats and chickens with afros (it doesn't get any cooler than that).

A Bullet In the Ballet (1937) by Caryl Brahms and S. J. Simon

Posted on July 25, 2017

Today’s read is another title mentioned by Martin Edward in The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books (2017), as will my next read for that matter. Again thankfully this is another writing duo who are easy to get a … Continue reading →

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Death by Request (1933) by Romilly and Katherine John

Posted on July 24, 2017

This was Romilly and Katherine’s sole offering to mystery fiction and I came across it in Martin Edwards’ new book The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books (2017). Thankfully it is not too tricky to get a hold of … Continue reading →

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Excellent Intentions (1938) by Richard Hull

Posted on July 21, 2017

This book is structured around the trial for the murder of Henry Cargate, who was poisoned whilst on a train. The story begins with the prosecution’s case and the narrative moves from character to character in the courtroom – judge, … Continue reading →

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The Murder at Sissingham Hall (2014) by Clara Benson

Posted on July 20, 2017

The publication history for this work is a little unusual as Benson, born in 1890, wrote a series of 10 mystery novels featuring Angela Marchmont and 3 mystery novels featuring Freddy Pilkington-Soames, when she was a young woman but never … Continue reading →

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Mind Your Own Murder (1948) by Yolanda Foldes

Posted on July 19, 2017

Whilst browsing book buying sites online, (always a dangerous occupation), I came across this 1940s mystery novel by Yolanda Foldes. With such a name I was rather intrigued and tried to find out more about her. Foldes was one of … Continue reading →

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Family Skeleton (1949) by Doris Miles Disney

Posted on July 17, 2017

First question I had to find the answer out to when coming across this author’s name was: Is she related to Walt? Short answer – No. Doris Miles Disney (1907-1976) was an American mystery writer who wrote 49 novels, beginning … Continue reading →

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A Dying Fall (1955) by Henry Wade

Posted on July 15, 2017

This is the last of the Wade novels I got in a lucky charity shop find earlier this year and I am pleased to say that I am ending on a high note. The book opens with a horse racing … Continue reading →

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The Power-House (1913) by John Buchan

Posted on July 14, 2017

I’ve not read much by Buchan, in fact I have only ever read The 39 Steps, before reading today’s read; a novella sized story, which was originally published in Blackwood’s Magazine and was reprinted by Polygon back in 2007. Stella … Continue reading →

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Ye Olde Book of Locked Room Conundrums (2016) ed. by JJ

Posted on July 12, 2017

This review really ought to start with an apology as I have left off reading this collection for a shockingly long time. Not out of any malice I hasten to add, but just sheer forgetfulness, as I am incredibly bad … Continue reading →

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Serpents in Eden (2016) ed. By Martin Edwards

Posted on July 10, 2017

This book has spent quite a while on my TBR pile, since I bought it from Barter Book last year, but at long last it made it to the top and I’m rather glad it did. Like Auden I find … Continue reading →

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