Vincent Starrett Knihy

A 1920s cruise ship is destined for destruction in this cozy mystery by the author of The Great Hotel Murder. For the passengers aboard the Latakia, the transatlantic journey from New York to Cherbourg promises weeks of rest and relaxation, no matter what class of ticket they have. But after an Italian baroness is found strangled in her cabin, the situation on board becomes more tense. The main suspect soon goes overboard, creating more questions than answers: Did a guilty conscience spur a suicidal act, or was he a witness silenced by the true killer, still at large on the luxury liner. Enter former intelligence officer Walter Ghost, tapped by the ship’s captain to play detective and solve the murder. He’s joined by his friend Dunsten Mollock, a novelist whose experience with mystery stories gives him helpful insights into the case. With clues including an amateur film, a doll, and a card from Memphis, Tennessee, it seems the duo have plenty to work with. But will they be able to solve the crime before word of the murder makes it into the steamship’s rumor mill, surely sending any guilty persons even deeper into hiding? Originally published in 1929 and out of print for nearly a century, Murder on “B” Deck is a puzzling-yet-humorous whodunnit set in the Golden Age of transatlantic travel. Includes discussion guide questions for use in book clubs.

When a New York banker is discovered dead from an apparent morphine overdose in a Chicago hotel, the circumstances surrounding his untimely end are suspicious to say the least. The dead man had switched rooms the night before with a stranger he met and drank with in the hotel bar. And before that, he’d registered under a fake name at the hotel, told his drinking companion a fake story about his visit to the Windy City, and seemingly made no effort to contact the actress, performing in a local show, to whom he was married. All of which is more than enough to raise eyebrows among those who discovered the body.Enter theatre critic and amateur sleuth Riley Blackwood, a friend of the hotel’s owner, who endeavors to untangle this puzzling tale as discreetly as possible. But when another detective working the case, whose patron is unknown, is thrown from a yacht deck during a party by an equally unknown assailant, the investigation makes a splash among Chicago society. And then several of the possible suspects skip town, leaving Blackwood struggling to determine their guilt or innocence—and their whereabouts.Reissued for the first time in over eighty years, The Great Hotel Murder is a devilishly complex whodunnit with a classical aristocratic setting, sure to please Golden Age mystery fans of all stripes. In 1935, the story was adapted for a film of the same name.

Vincent Starrett offers a compelling look at the life and work of Arthur Machen, a writer who explored the darker sides of human experience in his fiction. From occultism to horror, this biography considers why Machen remains such an important and relevant literary figure today.

The book is a facsimile reprint of a scarce antiquarian work, preserving its original content despite potential imperfections like marks, notations, and flawed pages. Emphasizing its cultural significance, the publication aims to protect and promote literature by providing an affordable, high-quality edition that remains true to the original.

Set in the early 20th century, this collection features Jimmy Lavender, a Chicago detective inspired by Sherlock Holmes, as he navigates four intriguing cases. Each adventure—"The Fugitive Statue," "The Taggert Case," "The Dorrington Diamonds," and "The Mid-Watch Tragedy"—showcases Lavender's keen intellect and investigative prowess, making for a captivating blend of mystery and early detective fiction.

The book is a significant historical work that has been preserved through modern reformatting and design, ensuring its readability for current and future generations. Unlike typical republished texts, this version is not a scanned copy, providing a clear and accessible reading experience.

A wealthy dilettante is on the trail of a killer with a penchant for theatrics in this cozy mystery by the author of Murder on “B” Deck. A strange sight greets Chicago haberdashery clerk Rufus Ker as he prepares to begin his workday by unlocking the door to Bluefield, Inc. A sign is attached to the glass. It reads: DEAD MAN INSIDE! I AM DEAD. THIS STORE WILL NOT OPEN TO-DAY. Once inside, Rufus is relieved to discover the shop is still in one piece and assumes the sign to be a prank. But no one is laughing when Rufus realizes the dummy in the window is no dummy at all. It’s the body of his boss, Amos Bluefield, and unfortunately this is only the beginning.… Scientist, explorer, and former intelligence officer Walter Ghost has come to Chicago to research some history, but after a stint in the hospital due to appendicitis, he quickly finds himself investigating a string of puzzling murders. Ghost is certainly no stranger to playing detective, but if he’s not careful, he’s about to get more familiar with the hospital.