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There was no mistaking the sound: it was that of a stealthy footfall, and it appeared to come from the staircase leading to the next floor.Lord Bygrave left the Ministry on Friday evening, with plans for a fortnight's holiday in the country. But the following morning he had seemingly vanished into thin air. Now Scotland Yard are struggling to find evidence of foul play in the absence of tangible clues. A national newspaper is offering a reward for information about the Minister's disappearance - whether Bygrave be dead or alive.Anthony "e;Algernon"e; Vereker, Lord Bygrave's friend and executor, joins Scotland Yard in their investigation of the mystery. So begins the first of five ingenious and effervescent detective novels featuring Vereker, an amiable and eccentric artist with a razor-sharp mind. Missing or Murdered (1929), is republished here for the first time in over 70 years. It includes a new introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.'This is not only a detective story of considerable ingenuity, but it is also a well-written tale with good characterisation.' Times Literary Supplement

Mr Sutton Armadale, the financier, was shot dead on the private polo ground of his palatial home. Before expiring in his gamekeeper's arms, he muttered the one word "e;murder"e;.Among the suspects are Armadale's second wife; a drunken, loud-mouthed stranger in the neighbourhood; and an irresistibly attractive ballerina. The amiable and eccentric Algernon Vereker finds the case as befuddling as a crack on the head from a polo mallet. Two witnesses were certain they heard two shots fired, yet only one spent cartridge case was found on the ground by the dead man's body. What is the "e;Sutton Stakes"e; connection... and is a "e;Bombay Head"e; part of the solution?The Polo Ground Mystery (1932) is a classic country house whodunit, with a sporting equestrian theme. The second of the Algernon Vereker mysteries, this new edition is the first published in over 70 years. It features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.'A first-rate thriller - keeping you dancing with suspense to the end.' Daily Herald

"e;What's the matter?"e; Vereker asked breathlessly, and at the same moment realised that the mass lying at Ricardo's feet was the body of a woman. "e;Has she fainted?"e;"e;It's Mrs. Mesado, Algernon,"e; replied Ricardo, "e;and if I'm not mistaken, she's dead."e;Algernon Vereker's best friend Manuel Ricardo is looking forward to a cruise on the luxury liner Mars, and persuades an overwrought Vereker to join him. Once on board, Ricky's mind is on romance while the amiable and eccentric Vereker is keener to relax with a cigar and a good book - until murder at sea means an abrupt detour into spine-chilling mystery. Vereker starts to investigate Mrs Mesado's demise, which presents many baffling features - beneath borrowed gloves, the lady's hands were cut and bruised; and where was the diamond necklace she had been wearing earlier that evening? These and other conundrums must be solved before Vereker can bring the culprit (or culprits) to justice, but as Ricky sagely observes: "e;half the fun of eating a nut is cracking the shell"e;.The Pleasure Cruise Mystery (1933), a light-hearted but lethal maritime whodunit, is the third Algernon Vereker detective novel. It is republished here for the first time in over 70 years, and includes a new introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.'Before all is cleared up the reader has raced excitedly through a thoroughly sound and quite unusual yarn.' Aberdeen Press

The body of John Cornell the well-known London Merchant and banker, was exhumed early this morning with great secrecy, following representations made to the Home Office.Everyone was astonished when the beautiful Josephine Rivron rejected the young, popular and handsome Frank Cornell, and married his elderly, wealthy father John instead. When John fell ill and died shortly after marrying, there were suspicions that the cause wasn't pneumonia, but a nasty case of poisoning. Then Frank Cornell too was dead - shot through the head, the weapon vanished. This time no one had any doubt it was murder.Amateur sleuth Algernon Vereker is drawn to the case by a recurring bout of his "e;old detective fever"e;. He packs his Colt automatic and joins Inspector Heather down at Marston Manor to investigate. The Ginger Cat Mystery (1935 - originally titled Murder at Marston Manor in the USA) is a classic country house whodunit stuffed with suspects, clues, red herrings and dark deeds. Not to mention the eponymous feline, whose tell-tale fur might just help to hang a murderer. This new edition, the first in over seventy years, features an introduction by Curtis Evans. 'Mr Forsythe has contrived an ingenious tale.' The Times

Thrusting his pipe in his pocket, he crossed to his writing desk. Extracting a heavy army-pattern revolver from a drawer, he began silently to search the whole ground floor of the house.Eileen Thurlow, an ardent devotee of spiritualism, persuades her uncle John to join her in a seance which produces the eerie sound of organ music. Later that same night John Thurlow disappears.A day later two bodies, one of them John Thurlow's, are found in a field half a mile away. Victims of supernatural vengeance, a fatal duel... or base murder?Algernon Vereker, sojourning in the neighbourhood, is eager to investigate the mystery, however chilling its premise. He is joined by Inspector Heather of the Yard, and his trusty, high-spirited friend Ricky, to solve a crime which might send shivers up the spine of even a committed sceptic. The Spirit Murder Mystery (1936) is another satisfying but merry mystery, the fifth and last of the Algernon Vereker novels. It includes a new introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.'Mr. Forsythe belongs to the new school of detective story writers which might be called the brilliant flippant school.' J.B. Priestley