The Ravenelle Riddle

The Ravenelle Riddle, first published in 1933, is a 'golden-age' mystery set in England but featuring American amateur detective Peter Strangely. Strangely, hailing from Iowa, investigates the disappearance of a young woman, goes underground to ingratiate himself with the criminals, and must solve an ingenious cipher. E. Best Black was a pen-name for Elizabeth Best Black, who also authored the second Strangely Mystery entitled The Crime of the Chromium Bowl.

Black, Elizabeth Best, 1894 Josephine Elizabeth Best Black Kelley died in 1976.