'But Pierre could never know that in death Fame was his, for his was the second corpse.'

When a well-known local vagrant nicknamed "Peter the Hermit" dies of seemingly natural causes, the police uncover an old Bulgarian newspaper and a beautiful bejewelled comb worth substantial money in his ramshackle hut in the Kent woods. Not long afterwards, bookseller Theodore Terhune begins receiving bizarre anonymous short stories, each subtitled 'Ten Trails to Tyburn'. Fictional and old-fashioned narratives set in France, the tales at first seem nonsensical, but Terhune discerns a pattern that suggests old Peter had led a far more interesting life than anyone guessed, and that his death might not be so natural after all.

A 1944 vintage crime novel back in print; the fifth book in the Theodore Terhune bibliomystery series.

"So you know House-on-the-Hill, Mr. Terhune?"

Local bookseller and amateur detective Theodore Terhune is asked to investigate the history of an ancient Kentish manor house for its new owner, Dr. Vincente Salvaterra. Recently arrived from Panama, Salvaterra wants to know why the house was shunned by the locals and abandoned for nearly a century, despite commanding the best views in the county. Terhune digs deep into the mansion's past and find more than one unsolved-and disturbing-mystery, dating back hundreds of years. When tragedy later strikes the eccentric Salvaterra family in their new home, Terhune must determine if the cause is the Gothic House-on-the Hill itself, or whether a sinister human plot is afoot.

Introduction by J F Norris, vintage crime historian

A 1942 crime classic now back in print

"What I read in your hand is tragedy-a horrible tragedy that doesn't come to one in a million people."

Bookseller Theodore Terhune buys the substantial library of the recently deceased James Strudgewick, a wealthy Yorkshireman who fell and drowned at a local beauty spot. Though his death was deemed accidental by the coroner, the locals remain suspicious and dislike Strudgewick's nephew and heir. But Ronald Strudgewick has a cast-iron alibi-he was 30 miles away visiting with friend Robert Shilling in Thirsk at the time of his uncle's death, and the police have already picked over his movements. But Terhune and his friend Julia have met Shilling before, and know there is a mysterious accidental death in his past too...

Work for the Hangman is a classic blend of traditional detective novel with "how-to-catch-'em" mystery, and showcases Bruce Graeme's use of local geography and small details to build an intriguing puzzle.

"Are you a detective, Mr. Terhune? If you will forgive my saying so, you do not look like one."

Theodore Terhune, bookseller in the tranquil Kent village of Bray-in-the-Marsh, interrupts the attempted robbery of Helena Armstrong, secretary-companion to Lady Kylstone. Someone was trying to steal the key to the Kylstone burial vault, which will shortly be open to the public for the anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt. When the key goes missing, Terhune is certain there must be something in the barren vault the thieves are after, but why bother when it will shortly be accessible to all? A series of mysterious encounters leads the curious Terhune from one clue to another, and eventually to the secret past of two families.

A 1941 crime classic republished for the first time, by a founding member of the Crime Writers' Association.

In the beginning was the Word-

When Theodore Terhune's wealthy client Arthur Harrison is found stabbed and his library ransacked, the police suspect the murderer was looking for a book. Harrison collected rare early printed books called incunabula, but as the provenance of such titles is well documented in the book world it would make little sense to steal one. Terhune is hired by the estate to sell off Harrison's library, but another armed break-in and a very strange book auction suggest the killer is still searching for something. Soon Terhune himself becomes a target, but what exactly does the murderer want? And why are crosses appearing in the turf of local fields?

The sixth book in the entertaining series involving bookseller and amateur sleuth Theodore Terhune.

BRUCE GRAEME (1900-82) was a pseudonym of Graham Montague Jeffries, an author of more than 100 crime novels and a founding member of the Crime Writers'...]]> Sun, 07 Mar 2021 22:11:38 +0200 https://adventure.library.land/bruce-graeme/731679-a_case_for_solomon.html https://adventure.library.land/bruce-graeme/731679-a_case_for_solomon.html

"Frank Hugh Smallwood was first murdered on the 15th of April, 1927"

Bookseller Theodore Terhune investigates an old homicide case after he stumbles on the freshly murdered corpse of seaman Frank Smallwood, a man thought to have been murdered nearly twenty years previously during a houseboat party on the Thames. Smallwood's alleged killer Charles Cockburn was convicted and served a lengthy prison sentence before being killed in the war. So who wanted Smallwood dead now? And what actually happened between Smallwood and Cockburn all those years ago? A book of poetry found lying near the body puts Terhune on the trail of an unlikely murderer. An entertaining blend of detective story and courtroom drama.

BRUCE GRAEME (1900-1982) was a pseudonym of Graham Montague Jeffries, an author of more than 100 crime novels and a founding member of the Crime Writer's Association. He created six series sleuths,...]]> Sun, 07 Mar 2021 22:11:41 +0200 https://adventure.library.land/bruce-graeme/731682-the_undetective.html https://adventure.library.land/bruce-graeme/731682-the_undetective.html

"It was my own fault, of course. I realized that when it was too late."

Crime writer Iain Carter has recently married and is struggling to make a decent living as an author. His brother-in-law is a likable but slightly indiscreet constable, and Iain decides to use this inside knowledge to write a satirical series featuring a pompous dictatorial police superintendent. To protect his identity, Iain creates an elaborately designed pseudonym, John Ky Lowell, that can't be traced back to him. When the first book by Lowell, The Undetective, proves to be a huge success, Iain finds he must take increasingly convoluted steps to protect his secret from the press, the police and the taxman. But the real trouble begins when a local bookmaker is killed, and Iain finds his mysterious alter-ego is the prime suspect.

Bruce Graeme (1900-1982) was a pseudonym of Graham Montague Jeffries, an author of 100 crime novels and a founding member of The Crime Writers...]]> Sat, 07 Mar 2020 22:11:45 +0200 https://adventure.library.land/bruce-graeme/731678-and_a_bottle_of_rum.html https://adventure.library.land/bruce-graeme/731678-and_a_bottle_of_rum.html

Stretched across the road was the body of a policeman.

On the way home one evening in the Romney Marsh, Bookseller Theodore Terhune and friend Julia are caught in heavy coastal fog. A passing lorry provides some guidance on the narrow country roads, but the night ends with intentional mishap and a dead body. It becomes clear that the constable's death was not accidental, but what possessed Tom Kitchen to try to stop a lorry singlehandedly at 1am? His widow is frightened; local farms vandalized; his home ransacked. Suspicion centres around the Load of Hay, an ancient Dickensian pub full of unsavoury characters, and Terhune finds the clues may lay in the history of 18th century smuggling in the Romney Marsh.

BRUCE GRAEME (1900-82) was a pseudonym of Graham Montague Jeffries, an author of more than 100 crime novels and a founding member of the Crime Writers' Association. He created six series sleuths, including bookseller and accidental detective...]]> Mon, 07 Mar 2022 22:11:40 +0200