Vincent Starrett (1886–1974)

Edited by Vincent Starrett and first published in 1940, this is an early piece of the Sherlockian great game, with pastiches (Starrett's fine enough "Unique Hamlet"; the soggy, sorry "Sussex Interview" by one P. M. Stone); some research (a fine bit of investigation on whether Holmes had American ties, a good one on his eating habits, but then flaccid ones like the comparison of Holmes and Dr. Johnson). Etc. A very important book for students of Holmes and Sherlockiana, reissued here in Otto Penzler's 1990s "Sherlock Holmes Library" series of paperbacks. It makes me want the other books in the series.… (mere)

Inadvertently overstaying his pre-departure visit to the cruise liner "Latakia", crime novelist Dunstan Mollock gets to enjoy an unplanned trans-Atlantic crossing to Europe. His friend Walter Ghost, an amateur detective and an "appallingly ugly man" is also on the ship.

To make good use of his sudden spare time onboard the ship, Mollock decides to write a mystery story. Before long however he is involved in an murder mystery which mirrors his planned crime novel. Passenger Countess Fogantini is found dead in her cabin, a victim of strangling. Later the same night, Major Phillips, a fellow passenger goes overboard without a clue as to whether he jumped or was pushed.

The ship's captain asks Ghost to investigate the deaths and solve the mystery before the ship reaches Cherbourg in France. Ghost faces a complex puzzle and there's a cast of interesting characters to study. Mollock is both a help and a hindrance in the sleuthing. A lack of motive for the killing adds complications to Ghost's investigation.

It's an intricately plotted story, full of red herrings to draw out the suspense. It's more character-driven then plot-driven. The ending is anti-climatic and may not satisfy all readers. The mystery story itself is the largest draw, rather than figuring out the answer to whodunnit.

The story was written in 1929 and reflects the then-current beliefs and conventions of those times. There's some writing that will offend modern readers, but it's not really in-your-face. This one of a series, but can be read as a standalone.
An entertaining read for cozy fans.… (mere)