Perrins, Private Investigators' Mystery

Burden, who had served in the war, and had considerable experience of death in its violent forms, took a pace forward. He saw at once that Mr. Wynter was beyond mortal aid. Gregory Wynter is, shot dead through the window of his dressing room. There is no apparent motive for the crime, and it seems impossible for the murderer to have escaped before the police arrive. The dead man's brother, Austin, enlists the help of Christopher and Vivienne Perrins, a brother-and-sister team of private investigators. In this classic puzzler, the Perrins piece together the complex relationships within the Wynter household and beyond. What they discover leads surprisingly to romance, not to mention the unravelling of an "impossible" murder, which also involves a box of poisoned chocolates... Murder at Monk's Barn was originally, published in 1931. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Tony Medawar.

Herr Berndt leant forward in his chair. "Have you ever noticed how if one speaks about a thing, one usually hears about it again within a few days?" Christopher Perrin, investigator, is on the track of Duggie the Locksmith, suspected of being behind a major robbery. When he is caught in Belgium, Perrin is astonished and puzzled to see in the crowd a certain Maurus Kaulin, "one of the most skilful forgers in existence," whose path Perrin has crossed before. Pike confesses to the robbery, but his journey to Belgium remains unexplained. Perrin, with the help of his old friend, Johann Berndt, formerly Vienna's chief of police, starts to trace what looks suspiciously like an international criminal network. An alluring Hungarian countess, an influential financier and a young Englishwoman become swept up in Perrin's remorseless hunt for the truth, which takes him across Europe before discovering the key to the mystery lies closer to home. Two will die, and Christopher Perrin will risk his life-and his heart. The End of the Chase was originally published in 1932. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Tony Medawar.

"Terrible disaster at the House of Commons." Christopher Perrin, investigator, is drawing up a confidential report for a distinguished client, when he is interrupted by Miss Millicent Rushburton, daughter of leading politician Sir Ethelred Rushburton. Miss Rushburton is trying to trace her father's secretary, Cuthbert Solway, who has vanished following a visit to a Harley Street specialist. Perrin contacts his old friend Inspector Philpott, who discovers the missing secretary dead in the grounds of Oldwick Manor. The local doctor examines the body but initially is unable to find any cause of death. Equally baffling is Sir Ethelred's dismissive attitude towards the police investigation. A post mortem concludes that Solway died of an exotic parasitic disease. An astounding development follows and, arguably, one of the most sensational murders in any detective novel of the Golden Age. The Prime Minister's Pencil was originally published in 1933. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Tony Medawar.