Thriller Fiction
The Story of a Great Conspiracy
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1924.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth.
A non-series thriller turning on a great conspiracy, published in the United States as The White Menace - a title which points plainly enough at the drug traffic that is its subject. This is Street's first book under the Rhode name, preceding the appearance of Dr Priestley by a year, and thus the beginning of a career that would run to something in the region of a 140 detective novels. Street (1884–1964) held the MC and OBE, served as an artillery officer and MI7 propagandist during the First World War and afterwards as Information Officer for Dublin Castle.
Detective Fiction
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1935.
'Popular Edition', second impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 5/-.
The fifth appearance of Lancelot Priestley, first published by Bles in 1928 following directly on The Murders in Praed Street, and belonging to the run of late-1920s titles in which the series took its settled shape - Priestley presiding, Harold Merefield in attendance, Inspector Hanslet of Scotland Yard supplying the official view for Priestley to dismantle.
Detective Fiction
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1935.
'Popular Edition', second impression. 8vo. Original orange cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 2/6.
First published by Bles in September 1926 as the second appearance of Lancelot Priestley, and described as the first major detective novel by its author - the book in which the machinery of the series is properly assembled. Uncommon in the jacket.
Detective Fiction
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1930.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth.
The Priestley books followed the tradition of Conan Doyle's Holmes and R. Austin Freeman's Dr Thorndyke in making scientific detection the centre of the method, and it is the technical ingenuity of the murder means - rather than character or atmosphere, in neither of which Street took much interest - for which the series is valued.
Detective Fiction
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1957.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 12s6d.
A very late entry in the Priestley sequence, published seven years before Street's death and belonging to the final phase of the series, in which Superintendent Jimmy Waghorn of Scotland Yard carries the bulk of the investigation and Priestley presides from his study in the manner that gave the armchair detective his name.
Detective Fiction
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1932.
First UK edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket.
Golden Age detective novel set in the world of theatre. Andreas (1898–1975) was a prolific German novelist, journalist and screenwriter.
Detective Fiction
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1939.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, price-clipped.
An uncommon bibliomystery by this British detective fiction writer of the Golden Age, who authored some thirty mystery novels, many featuring Detective Inspector William Austen.
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1957.
First edition. 8vo. Original red boards lettered in lime green. Dust-jacket.
A near fine first edition of one of the later titles by the Australian Goyder sisters.
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1951.
First edition. 8vo. Original red boards. Dust-jacket.
Very good first edition of this murder mystery by the Australian Goyder sisters.
Detective Fiction
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1937.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced-clipped with 4/6 price sticker to spine.
A Golden Age detective novel in which a lawyer and a married novelist couple investigate a curious murder by inhalation (a boutonnière dusted with cocaine).
Thriller Fiction
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1931.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original yellow cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7s6d.
The story of a young bride in Kenya, who faces challenges when her husband goes astray. She takes over running the plantation, experiences personal growth, and navigates complex relationships, reflecting the dynamics of colonial life.
Detective Fiction
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1925.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original red cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
Elliot Bailey (1887–1977) was a British author who wrote several mystery novels in the 1920s and 1930s.
Modern Literature
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1936.
First edition. 8vo. Original green cloth. Dust-jacket,
Primarily set in a suburban terrace near Clapham Common, focusing on the lives of its residents, with occasional deviations via Mayfair and Paris.
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1957.
First edition. 8vo. Original red boards lettered in lime green. Dust-jacket, price-clipped.
A near fine first edition of one of the later titles by by the Australian Goyder sisters.
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1951.
First edition. 8vo. Original red boards. Dust-jacket, price-clipped.
Ex-library but otherwise very good first edition of this murder mystery by the Australian sisters.
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Translated by Winifred Ray
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1933.
First UK edition, first issue. 8vo. Original light blue cloth. Dust-jacket, correctly priced 7/6.
The scarce first English edition of this compelling blend of science fiction, horror and utopian fantasy, revolving around a hunchbacked scientist's attempts to become master of the world by removing all memory. Listed in Bleiler and Locke.
Modern Literature
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1931.
First UK edition. 8vo. Original grey cloth. Dust-jacket.
The first UK edition of this work by prolific Austrian author Baum, originally published in German the year before.
London, Geoffrey Bles, [1937].
First edition. Small 4to. Original red cloth lettered in gilt. Dust-jacket, priced 8s6d.
A further collection of 'true' ghost stories collected by Lord Halifax, a Victorian English Viscount with an interest in the supernatural.
Detective Fiction
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1956.
First edition. 8vo. Original green boards lettered in red. Dust-jacket, priced 10s6d.
The author's first novel, introducing her series character John Coffin, albeit in a less primary role than that he took on from the fourth book.
Detective Fiction
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1960.
First edition. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket.
One of the last Lancelot Priestley novels by this prolific writer.
Detective Fiction
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1934.
First edition. 8vo. Original red cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 2/6.
Classic crime story of murder, mystery and madness, set in a remote house on the coast of England. Scarce.
Detective Fiction
A Mystery Story
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1930.
First edition. 8vo. Original orange cloth. Dust-jacket, price neatly excised from spine.
The jacket's menacing photographic artwork enhances this early Dr Priestley title. An uncommon book in the original jacket.
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1932.
First edition. 8vo. Original red cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
"...the case of a country clergyman who happens to be a homicidal maniac..." (jacket blurb). The first crime thriller by Vulliamy, writing as Anthony Rolls.
Detective Fiction
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1935.
'Popular Edition', second printing. 8vo. Original orange cloth. Dust-jacket, with price-sticker '5/-' on spine.
A decent, early edition of this the second appearance of armchair detective Lancelot Priestley, who featured in a long-running series of novels during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.
Detective Fiction
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1935.Popular edition first reprint. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 4/6 (second issue?).An uncommon early issue of this rare Rhodes title, originally published in 1928, the jacket featuring the original classic artwork by well-known artist Abbey; one of this prolific author's earliest books, set against a yachting culture backdrop.
![Frank King, The Ghoul, signed first edition, [1926]](https://lycanthiabooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/82304-300x400.jpg)
Horror & Gothic
London, Geoffrey Bles, [1926],
First edition. Signed & inscribed by the author. 8vo. Original cloth.
Signed and inscribed by the author on front endpaper with this distinctive, flourishing signature.
The basis for the movie of the same name starring Boris Karloff, Cedric Hardwicke, Ernest Thesiger and Ralph Richardson (making his movie debut)
Extremely scarce signed and inscribed by the author.