American Mystery Classics

"A locked-room mystery preoccupies Boucher's brilliant clerical sleuth, Sister Ursula, in this stellar entry . . . a witty satire of SF and fantasy authors." -Publishers Weekly (starred review) Legendary science fiction author Fowler Foulkes may be dead, but his creation, the iconic Dr. Derringer, lives on in popular culture. Or, at least, the character would live on if not for Foulkes's predatory and greedy heir Hilary, who, during his time as the inflexible guardian of the estate, has created countless enemies in the relatively small community of writers of the genre. So when he is stabbed nearly to death in a room with only one door, which nobody was seen entering or exiting, Foulkes suspects a writer. Fearing that the assailant will return, he asks for police protection, and when more potentially-fatal encounters follow, it becomes clear to Detective Terry Marshall and his assistant, the inquisitive nun, Sister Ursula, that death awaits Mr. Foulkes around every corner. Now, they'll have to work overtime to thwart the would-be murderer―a task that requires a deep dive into the strange, idiosyncratic world of science fiction in its early days. With characters based heavily on Anthony Boucher's friends at the Manana Literary Society, including Robert Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and Jack Parsons, Rocket to the Morgue is both a classic locked room mystery and an enduring portrait of a real-life writing community. Reprinted for the first time in over thirty years, the book is a must-read for fans of mysteries and science fiction alike. "A privileged and unusual glimpse into a specific time and place concerning the formation of the Golden Age of American science fiction." -MysteryTribune

"Devotees of classic courtroom thrillers like Witness for the Prosecution will be enthralled by this reissue . . . Perry Mason fans will rejoice." -Publishers Weekly The trial of Stephen Bellamy and Susan Ives, accused of murdering Bellamy's wife, lasts eight days. That's eight days of witnesses (some reliable, some not), eight days of examination and cross-examination, and eight days of sensational courtroom theatrics lively enough to rouse the judge into frenzied calls for order. Ex-fiancés, houseworkers, and assorted family members are brought to the stand-a cross-section of this wealthy Long Island town-and each one only adds to the mystery of the case in all its sordid detail. A trial that seems straightforward at its outset grows increasingly confounding as it proceeds, and surprises abound; by the time the closing arguments are made, however, the reader, like the jury, is provided with all the evidence needed to pass judgment on the two defendants. Still, only the most astute among them will not be shocked by the verdict announced at the end. Inspired by the most sensational murder trial of its day, The Bellamy Trial is a pioneering courtroom mystery, and one of the first of such books to popularize the form. It is included in the famed Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone list of the most definitive novels of the mystery genre. "An ingenious and spirited job, which has clever characterization, strong suspense and real comic relief. The mystery is capitally created and sustained." -New York Evening Post "An enthralling story." -The New York Times "A must-read for nostalgia buffs, this seminal tale of legal intrigue holds up remarkably well even for casual fans." -Kirkus Reviews