Ernest Dudley

Here is another collection of the strange adventures of Doctor Morelle, that most sardonic of detectives, in a sequence of eight intriguing episodes from the Doctor’s casebook. The Doctor meets both brutal and cunning murders and murderers, ranging from a man battered to death with a heavy brass object to a woman poisoned with cyanide. Morelle investigates in his inimitable, cerebral, and biting style. He is aided–or sometimes handicapped–by his gentle, timorous assistant, Miss Frayle–who in...

Ernest Dudley, creator of that superb pair of sleuths, Dr. Morelle and Miss Frayle, here introduces another vivid character, Nat Craig, whose methods as London’s foremost private investigator are utterly different from those of the famous doctor, yet just as penetrating and conclusive in their results. Craig believes in hitting first and pulling no punches, which makes for exciting period action tales featuring murder, mayhem, blackmail, and robbery. The indomitable Craig ruthlessly tracks down...

When Brian Cartwright receives a written death threat, he takes it seriously–in his not unblemished past he has made some bitter enemies. So he calls in the famous criminologist Dr. Morelle to protect him. The threatening note has predicted the exact time he's to die–nine p.m. later that same day. As the hour approaches, Cartwright locks himself alone in his study, all doors and windows sealed, with Dr. Morelle and his previously invited house guests in an adjoining room–also locked. Yet...

This second book of Ernest Dudley’s stories about his London-based private eye, Nat Craig, and his lovely French secretary, Simone, features a varied collection of the detective's eccentric clients: young, wealthy women getting themselves blackmailed; upper-class men or women who have the jitters over the safety of their precious family heirlooms; and, occasionally, even members of the criminal class, appealing to their former nemesis for help in clearing their names of false accusations....

The creator of the famous criminologist, Dr. Morelle, here gives us four stories of another brilliant detective, whom the newspapers have dubbed «The Amazing Martin Brett.» Brett appears to be selfish and lazy, and his effort at solving crimes is entirely motivated by the size of his fee. His attractive secretary (and narrator) is often the butt of his sardonic humor and sexist remarks, which she finds unnecessary and uncalled for. But she puts up with him because she suspects Brett has a secret...

Jimmy Strange is a mysterious young man who turns up when he is least expected. Whenever and wherever there is trouble, he appears from behind some dark corner. No one knows much about him, though he is always a gentleman. He is never short of money, but its source is unknown. One thing is certain – he isn't a crook. Yet they say he can break into a house with the best of them…but always in a good cause…

Mouse-like Mitsi Linden arrives in Paris only to encounter tragedy and disaster – until Larry Curtis takes her life, and her heart, in the palm of his hand. Larry transforms Mitsi into a glamorous Parisian star, and launches her on London, where she faces the dazzling world of Mayfair, restaurants and night­club life. There, she falls under the spell of the fascinating Bob Raymond. But, as she becomes entangled in blackmail and jealousy, will she find real love and happiness?

In Castlebay, North Wales, Dick Merrill is on trial, accused of murdering his wife by administering a lethal dose of arsenic. Merrill, good-looking and attractive, is fatally in love with Margot Stone, who's herself already married. Philip Vane, a lawyer whose career was mysteriously ruined, finds himself similarly infatuated with Margot when he becomes personally involved in Merrill's sensational murder trial. A shadowy figure, Vane's participation in the trial is twisted and...

In a wild, bleak corner of the Kent Coast, a derelict harbour rots beneath the tides. Here the «Doll,» a film-struck waif, and her lover, ex-movie star Tod Hafferty, play out their final, tragic, ill-fated, real-life roles. Sudden death strikes the players more than once, ultimately involving a member of the local police force. Then, as Dr. Morelle finds himself enmeshed in a network of sex and murder, Miss Frayle's anticipated quiet weekend results in her being drawn into a climactic...

Ian Laking is pathologically jealous of his beautiful wife, and obsessed with murder. His only hope lies in being treated by Dr. Morelle, the well-known psychiatrist and criminologist. Laking suspects his business associate, Duke Fenton, of being his wife's lover, and is plotting his revenge. Dr. Morelle and his secretary, Miss Frayle, become caught up in the ongoing drama of jealousy and revenge. When the plan fatally recoils upon Laking himself, will Dr. Morelle be able to unmask the...

Cynthia Mason, a young heiress, lives with her violent stepfather, Samuel Kimber, who only holds control of her fortune while she remains unmarried. On announcing her engagement to Peter Lorrimer, a local writer, who is calling to take her away that same evening, she fears Kimber's reaction. Lorrimer arrives and goes to talk with Kimber in his study. Cynthia, meanwhile, carrying a suitcase, tiptoes out the front door–and vanishes! Meanwhile, Miss Frayle, Dr. Morelle's secretary,...

On the plane from New York to London, Dr. Morelle chances to meet Edwin Gale, a smooth-tongued swindler. Inexplicably, Gale finds himself drawn to the famous psychiatrist-detective, and so begins one of Dr. Morelle's most intriguing cases. Back in London, the Doctor encounters Edwin Gale again, and, as a result, finds himself involved in the dark machinations of Dolores del Robia, who's as evil as she is lovely. When Dolores is found strangled to death, Dr. Morelle must investigate a...

"What type of skulduggery is the Master Mind contemplating this time?" That is the question put to Jimmy Strange by his long-suffering girlfriend, Sandra. <P>But the answer always depends on which type of criminals Jimmy is pitting his wits against. Whether they are poisoners, gunmen, murderers, drug dealers, or jewel thieves, they are all operating, untouched, outside the law – until Jimmy enters the scene. And he is not averse to using their own methods against them…

A pretty girl and a drunken producer are involved in a dramatic motor accident on the road from Lyons to Paris – a fruitful source for black­mail. The first sinister consequence occurs at a party where, among the actresses and producers, Dr. Morelle is present with his secretary. Miss Frayle. The famous criminologist finds himself plunged into one of the strangest cases of his career as he takes to the airwaves to unmask a murderer before he can kill again! A classic British mystery by the...