Dover Mystery Classics

"An unusually well told mystery tale" - The New York Times The party has commenced, yet the host is inexplicably absent. The lifeless body of Sir Simon Chandos, the wealthy and respected owner of Freyne Abbey, is discovered in his library, ostensibly a victim of self-inflicted demise. Tensions grip the guests as they grapple with the overwhelming shock. However, amateur detective Scott Egerton, a guest himself, uncovers an unexpected connection between the Freyne household and a long-forgotten event, leading to a shocking revelation. Determined to discover the truth, Egerton embarks on a perilous quest to unveil the malevolent presence behind the murder. Anthony Gilbert, the pen name of Lucy Beatrice Malleson, kept her identity a secret for many years, publishing over sixty crime novels under four pseudonyms between 1925 and 1972. This classic golden age mystery, published in 1927, introduces the amateur sleuth Scott Egerton and is a testament to Gilbert's mastery of intrigue, suspense, and storytelling.

Sealed-room mysteries had appeared before this 1891 publication but the author's inventive, deftly humorous treatment offered a novel exploitation of the genre's puzzling possibilities, marking a turning point in detective fiction.

The grouse season has begun, and Lord Peter Wimsey's brother, the Duke of Denver, has descended upon the Wimsey family retreat in rustic Riddlesdale village with a small hunting party. Captain Denis Cathcart, Wimsey's soon-to-be brother-in-law, is found s

Bodies are piling up, and the culprit's motives are as puzzling as the victims themselves. Charismatic aristocrat detective Lord Peter Wimsey, with his keen intellect, refined taste for food, wine, fashion, music, and art, and wit as sharp as his Savile Row suits, is put to the test as he navigates a series of twelve bizarre cases. Can he unravel the cryptic clues and expose the cunning culprits in "The Abominable History of the Man with the Copper Fingers," "The Fantastic Horror of the Cat in the Bag," "The Piscatorial Farce of the Stolen Stomach," or "The Unsolved Puzzle of the Man with No Face"? Dorothy L. Sayers' masterful storytelling weaves a tapestry of murder, mystery, and British charm in these and other classic whodunnit stories, making it a must-read for Golden Age detective fiction fans.

He's brilliant and fastidious-and has appeared in over thirty novels written by the queen of mystery, Agatha Christie. Poirot Investigates is a riveting anthology of fourteen short stories featuring her beloved Belgian detective Hercule Poirot and his faithful friend, Captain Hastings. The stories, originally published in 1924 and 1925, offer a glimpse into the mind of one of the most famous detectives in fiction, known for his flamboyant mustache and keen powers of deduction. Set in various locations, from Brussels to London, Egypt, and France, each story showcases Christie's intricate plotlines, sophisticated characters, and talent for unveiling the most unexpected resolutions, creating a compelling all-in-one armchair read. Full of suspense and intrigue, the selections include "The Adventure of the Cheap Flat," "The Adventure of the Western Star," "The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge," "The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor," and other must-reads for mystery lovers and Agatha Christie enthusiasts.

The year is 1913. The disgraced and formerly penniless aristocrat Sir Everard Dominey returns from German East Africa a reformed and wealthy man, determined to take his place in English society. But is he Sir Everard or the German spy, Baron Leopold von Ragastein? Educated at Eton and Oxford with Sir Everard, the baron bears a striking resemblance to the Englishman and was often mistaken for him at school. After a chance encounter in Africa, one of them has returned - but which one? Originally published serially in Harper's Bazaar, The Great Impersonation ranks among the most acclaimed espionage novels. For the past hundred years, readers have been captivated by the fast-moving plot, the descriptions of life among English aristocrats before the Great War, and the bold cast of characters, which includes a host of dukes, duchesses, ambassadors, German agents, and harebrained young Englishmen. This vivid, convincing thriller is one of the first great achievements of the spy genre.