Doug Selby Mysteries

A fatal car crash takes a California D.A. for a wild ride in this classic hard-boiled mystery by the author of the Perry Mason series. "The bestselling author of the century . . . a master storyteller." -The New York Times Sheriff Rex Brandon is sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner with his wife and District Attorney Doug Selby when the phone rings. A drunken car thief named Carleton Grines wants to turn himself in. Selby and the sheriff race to the scene only to discover they're too late. The man dies in a terrible crash before their eyes. But Mr. Grines hasn't finished stirring up trouble . . . Nothing about the dead driver makes any sense to Selby. He wasn't carrying any ID but he did have a ten-year-old letter in his pocket. His cheap suit doesn't fit, but his hair and nails are well kept. His handmade shoes belong to a Hollywood grocery magnate named Desmond Billmeyer. The car, meanwhile, was registered to Robert C. Hinkle of Oklahoma. After the man is finally identified, Selby is certain his death was no accident. Someone expected to profit from killing him. Now Selby and the sheriff must figure out who before the guilty party speeds off into the sunset . . . Originally published in 1944.

A California D.A. investigates a corpse without clothes and bloody clothes without a body in this classic mystery by the author of the Perry Mason series. "The bestselling author of the century . . . a master storyteller." -The New York Times Alphonse Baker Carr is the smooth-talking defense lawyer murderers and gangsters turn to when they want to win in court. To escape the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, he's moving into a stately home in Madison City's exclusive Orange Heights neighborhood. The locals are not pleased. Rita Artrim lives in the house next door and is worried Carr will attract an unsavory element. Of course, no matter how much she begs District Attorney Doug Selby for help, there is nothing he can do. There is no law against buying a house . . . But once A. B. Carr arrives in town, trouble follows. A suit with a bloodied bullet hole appears in a local dry-cleaning truck. Then, a naked corpse is discovered near Carr's house, shot twice in the exact same spot. Now it's up to Selby to decipher the puzzling clues to build his case and deliver justice. Only then can he send the killer packing. Originally published in 1938.

A California D.A. handles a case of a baby lost and another found in this classic hard-boiled mystery by the author of the Perry Mason series. "The bestselling author of the century . . . a master storyteller." -The New York Times A late-night hit-and-run accident claims an infant's life on a steep mountain road outside Madison City. What puzzles District Attorney Doug Selby is that the other car was stolen, driven out of town and back, and returned to the same spot . . . Then Selby receives a phone call from the bus depot. A woman claims she and her baby are in danger. When Selby and Sheriff Rex Brandon arrive at the depot, they find the child, but her mother is nowhere in sight. Their investigation leads to a hidden treasure in the cabin of a hermit, whose sister and brother-in-law own the stolen car. But when a body is found and more questions arise, Selby deduces the best way to catch the killer is to stop looking. Instead, he will make the killer come to him . . . Originally published in 1942.

A former D.A. has only five days to catch a killer in this classic hard-boiled mystery from the author of the Perry Mason series. "The bestselling author of the century . . . a master storyteller." -The New York Times Major Doug Selby is on leave from the US Army and headed to San Francisco for his next assignment. Until then, the ex–district attorney will be in Madison City, catching up with his friends, reporter Sylvia Martin and Sheriff Rex Brandon. But it's not long before the sheriff is called away on urgent business at the Madison Hotel. His old pal Doug might as well tag along . . . The hotel owner suspects Fred Roff had a heart attack. But Selby, after examining the scene, believes he was poisoned. When a white gardenia is delivered shortly after their arrival, Doug remembers three people he saw wearing the flower only moments earlier. A harmless-looking woman in her sixties, his old nemesis A. B. Carr, and a beautiful blonde who seems out of place. She just happens to be checked into the adjoining room. Suddenly, they have a lead in their case . . . But the clock is ticking. Doug has five days to solve the murder before duty calls him out of town and the killer is out of reach for good. Originally published in 1946.

In this classic mystery by the author of the Perry Mason series, the beleaguered D.A. tackles one last case of murder and mayhem in rural California. "The bestselling author of the century . .  a master storyteller." -The New York Times Once again, District Attorney Doug Selby finds himself in a delicate situation. The county newspaper, The Blade, is once again out to ruin his career, this time because he refuses to play ball with the greedy new owner. Meanwhile, a beautiful young redhead is found murdered, and in possession of more than one identity. And if that weren't enough, there is a mysterious heist, and his unscrupulous nemesis, criminal lawyer A. B. Carr, is running circles around him. The relentless pressure is enough to make one man crack. But with the help of ace-reporter Sylvia Martin and ex-cowboy Sheriff Rex Brandon, Selby just might close this case before his career is toast. Originally published in 1949.

In this classic mystery by the author of the Perry Mason series, a California D.A. investigates the case of a murderer who didn't kill. "The bestselling author of the century . . . a master storyteller." -The New York Times Young and ambitious, Doug Selby became district attorney hoping to clean up corruption in Madison City and the surrounding county. But even in a farming community like this, evil can have deep roots . . . Selby knows Ross Blaine isn't the sort to forge a check, but the young man has gambling debts to pay. Rather than throw him in jail, Selby and Sheriff Rex Brandon head to the source of Blaine's debt: a roadhouse known as the Palm Thatch. That's where the investigation leads Selby to the son of a local bigwig who could make or break his career. Then a body is found in a local motel with a strange note attached. Was it an accident, or was it murder? And who exactly was the victim? With the help of the sheriff and ace-reporter Sylvia Martin, Selby just might get some answers before another mystery-or another body-is added to the mix. Originally published in 1937.

A homeless man's corpse sends a California D.A. down a twisted path in this classic hard-boiled mystery from the author of the Perry Mason series. "The bestselling author of the century . . . a master storyteller." -The New York Times District Attorney Doug Selby's latest trouble begins when the battered corpse of a vagabond is found near the railroad in Madison County. The coroner suspects he was struck by a train. Searching the dead man's wallet, they discover he had a wealthy brother in Phoenix. But who was the dead man? And how did he make it to the train tracks. . . ? Meanwhile, a neighboring city needs Doug's help. A bookkeeper named John Burke has vanished, potentially with funds stolen from his employer. Burke's neighbors report seeing a drifter in the alley near their house. And when Selby and Sheriff Rex Brandon speak to Burke's employer, they discover Burke wired him from Phoenix . . . Selby thinks he has found two threads that will tie together neatly in a bow, but the more he investigates, the more he is left in knots. Originally published in 1940.