No Face by Christianna Brand
A psychic, Mr. Jospeh Hawk, is certain he knows the identity of a serial killer. Yes, he often fakes many of his tricks but he might have some skill. But his assistant Delphine (sp?) is in danger. Would he prefer that she be hurt in order to fulfill his predictions? Or hers?
Three stars
Before & After by Peter Antony
An old woman dies. Mr. Verity, an amateur detective, believes it is her husband and the nurse. Inspector Sparrow thinks there might be more to it. And a little bit of honest police work might just prove him correct. So why let Mr. Verity direct that they be picked up? Well, in real life, if someone is around so many bodies, usually someone gets suspicious...
Four stars - mostly because finally someone is suspicious of the detective
Hotel Evidence by Helen Simpson
Henry Broadrib (sp?) is startled that his wife, Sissy, wants a divorce. He is loathe to acquiesce as it means that he will have to paint himself in a bad light. But he give in and willingly accepts a hot water bottle when she passes it on to him. But it might be harder than they both think as Henry is so very likable that no one wants to report against him.
Three and a half stars - amusing but not really a mystery story nor is there any suspense
Exit Before Midnight by Q. Patrick
Carol Thorne (sp?) is working overtime right now to help with a merger. Her job ends at midnight so she's splashing out with a nice hairdo before she has to go back to work, helping the shareholders close the merger. When she returns, there is a threat of murder that has been left in her typewriter in the form of a memorandum.
Four and a half stars - as one of the longer stories, it is better developed. It gives us better character development and allows for a nice build up of suspense.
A Joke's a Joke by Jonathan Latimer
A young man, Barnes, likes to play pranks on people. His latest is to introduce his own wife, Mary Lou, to his particular favorite to play pranks on. But it doesn't quite turn out like Barnes thinks it will.
Three and a half stars - not a mystery but a fun little story
The Man Who Knew by Agatha Christie
A man is home but he knows something is wrong. Then he sees the word on his theater pamphlet, "Don't go home." A gun found in his apartment, his uncle murdered... there is just a chance that he can turn this night around.
The Almost Perfect Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine
Philo Vance is telling stories about some of his more famous cases. In this one, he mentions that even the most perfectly planned crimes may go off the rails for the most ridiculous of reasons. In this story, someone decides to verify a translation and suddenly, the teeth of a dead body might not be as identifiable as originally thought.
Three stars - serviceable
The Hours of Darkness by Edmund Crispin
The book opens on Christmas Eve. There is a game of hide and seek afoot. But rather than using it for making love to their partners, a murderer uses the time for other pursuits. Gervase Fen is nearby to connect this case to an earlier one, one in which a brother and sister
Three stars - at least this one is a mystery but a little convoluted
Chance Is a Great Thing by E. C. R. Lorac
Poor Peggy is ready to get married but her only relation, her aunt, is doing so poorly she's afraid to leave her. Her neighbors encourage her to get married and go on her honeymoon; they'll keep an eye on her. But then auntie dies...
Four stars - for as short as it is, you get a clear picture of the characters
The Mental Broadcast by Clayton Rawson
The Great Merlini is trying to come up with a new card trick. Our narrator is not impressed.
Two and a half stars
White Cap by Ethel Lina White
Tess is trying to calm herself down. She has been taken in by a man who was a swindler and her work is uncertain. At work, Miss Ratcliffe is basically taking over the company and she has Tess in her sights. Of course, Ratcliffe is the one who ends up dead.
Three and a half stars
The Adventure of the Dorset Squire by C. A. Alington
The lights go out but then a lot of stuff happens, but, while some of it is comedic, none of it is a murder nor a suspense story.
Two stars
The Locked Room by Dorothy L. Sayers
Lord Peter is at a house party where he meets a young woman named Betty. She is engaged but she and Lord Peter spend their time with some light flirting (maybe a little more). Her good mood is ruined when her uncle comes home proclaiming that he is ruined. He yells at Betty and his wife and declares that he will commit suicide. Lord Peter is skeptical. Usually people who commit suicide don't declare it so baldly. But, the next morning, the man is dead. Luckily, Lord Peter knows exactly what happened.
Three stars
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