Caribbean Fiction
London, Michael Joseph, 1954.
First UK edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 15s.
Uncommon in such near fine condition. A novel tracing the experiences of Caribbean migrants arriving in Britain, exploring themes of displacement, identity, and cultural alienation in post-war London. George Lamming was a central figure in Caribbean literature, and The Emigrants is one of his most important novels. Alongside In the Castle of My Skin, it is regarded as a key work in articulating the Windrush generation's experience.
Modern Literature
London, Michael Joseph, 1939.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original boards. Dust-jacket, priced 8/6.
A nostalgic novel recounting the life of a Welsh mining family through the eyes of its youngest son, charting industrial hardship, communal solidarity and social change. It was adapted into the celebrated 1941 film directed by John Ford, winning multiple Academy Awards.
...with an introduction by Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris...
London, Michael Joseph, 1946.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket.
A wartime memoir by the commander of RAF No. 617 Squadron, recounting his role in the 1943 Dambusters raid and other operations during the Second World War.
Detective Fiction
London, Michael Joseph, 1956.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original boards. Dust-jacket, priced 12s6d.
A late entry in Gladys Mitchell's long-running series featuring the unconventional psychoanalyst-detective Mrs Bradley.
Detective Fiction
London, Michael Joseph, 1952.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original boards. Dust-jacket.
Detective Fiction
London, Michael Joseph, 1958.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original boards. Dust-jacket.
Considered one of Mitchell's best Mrs Bradley novels along with other works such as The Saltmarsh Murders, Death at the Opera and The Rising of the Moon.
Detective Fiction
London, Michael Joseph, 1950.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, price-clipped.
A local legend of a murdered parson's ghost in a woodland known as "Groaning Spinney" becomes connected with a real corpse and a murder investigation for Mrs Bradley.
![James Norman, The Nightwalkers, First edition, [1948].](https://lycanthiabooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/87348-300x300.jpg)
Detective Fiction
London, Michael Joseph, [1948].
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original boards. Dust-jacket, priced 8s6d.
Crime thriller set in then contemporary China.
Detective Fiction
London, Michael Joseph, 1951.First UK edition, first impression. 8vo. Original black boards. Dust-jacket.The first UK novelisation of American playwright and crime fiction novelist Carleton's well-known play.
Detective Fiction
London, Michael Joseph, 1954.
First UK edition. 8vo. Original boards. Dust-jacket, priced 10/6.
Levin's debut novel is a noir thriller. A charming, sociopathic college student impregnates and murders Dorothy, daughter of a wealthy copper magnate, failing to anticipate her sisters' suspicion and perseverance.
Detective Fiction
London, Michael Joseph, 1956.
First editions, first impression. 8vo. Original black boards. Dust-jacket, priced 10s 6d.
Mexican vultures, Mexican murders, and a Mexican sleuth.
Modern Literature
London, Michael Joseph, 1957.
First UK edition. 8vo. Original reddish brown cloth. Dust-jacket, correctly priced 15s.
The first UK edition of American author Baldwin's second novel, following his famous semi-autobiographical work Go Tell it on the Mountain. The novel is viewed as an important work on sexuality, focusing on an American man in 1950s Paris navigating a tense love triangle and grappling with his sexual identity, with things made yet more complicated by a murder and an execution. The work was ranked number 2 on a list of the best 100 gay and lesbian novels compiled by The Publishing Triangle in 1999.
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
London, Michael Joseph, 1955.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 10s6d.
Set in a post-apocalyptic future, the story follows David Strorm and his telepathic friends in a society that persecutes mutations. They seek a safe haven where they can live freely.
Modern Literature
London, Michael Joseph, 1936.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original brown cloth.
An exploration into the art and craft of marionette puppetry, exploring its history, construction and performance, by the Hornblower creator.
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
London, Michael Joseph, 1956.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original black boards. Dust-jacket, priced 12s6d.
The Seeds of Time is a collection of ten science fiction short stories by British author John Wyndham, known for The Day of the Triffids. The anthology explores themes such as time travel, space exploration, and human nature, showcasing Wyndham's versatility and insightful social commentary.
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
London, Michael Joseph, 1960.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original dark grey boards. Dust-jacket.
A great example of Wyndham's flair for speculative fiction that delves into the complexities of human nature, scientific ethics and societal change.
Detective Fiction
London, Michael Joseph, 1958.
First edition. 8vo. Original red boards lettered in gilt. Dust-jacket, price-clipped.
An attractive first edition of these Judge Dee historical mysteries. The main character was based on a real 7th century detective.
War, Invasion & Spy
London, Michael Joseph, 1968.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue boards. Dust-jacket, priced 25s.
The second of Diment's spy novels featuring Philip McAlpine, whom critic Anthony Boucher described as "an agent who smokes hashish, leads a highly active sex life, kills vividly, uses (or even coins) the latest London slang and still seems a perfectly real (and even oddly likeable) young man rather than a reflected Bond image. The jacket artwork seemingly takes inspiration from Richard Chopping's James Bond jackets.
Modern Literature
London, Michael Joseph, 1938.
First UK edition. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, correctly priced 7/6.
Psychological novel transferred to the big screen in 1947, starring Robert Taylor.
Detective Fiction
London, Michael Joseph, 1944.First edition. 8vo. Original dark grey cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 9/6.A posthumous biographical bequest proves problematic to the appointed biographer, who finds herself at loggerheads with the family of the deceased, leading to suspicions of murder... uncommon.
Modern Literature
London, Michael Joseph, 1950.
First edition. 8vo. Original brown cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 9s6d, with publisher's original promotional wraparound.
A great example of the first edition of Lessing's first book, set in South Africa under white rule, chronicling societal disintegration.
Modern Literature
London, Michael Joseph, 1951.
First edition. 8vo. Original brown cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 9s6d.
The first edition of the author's second book, a collection of stories set in South Africa. One of the author's defining works.
![Alternative view of Wyndham (John) and Lucas Parkes [both pseuds. for John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris]. The Outward Urge](https://lycanthiabooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/84882_2-300x400.jpg)
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
London, Michael Joseph, 1959.
First edition. 8vo. Original black cloth lettered in white. Dust-jacket, correctly priced 13s6d.
Conventional science fiction from the pen of Wyndham, comprising four chapters - a fifth chapter was added to subsequent editions.
Detective Fiction
London, Michael Joseph, 1969.
First edition. 8vo. Original black boards. Dust-jacket, priced £1.50.
One of Mitchell's crime capers featuring architect Timothy Herring.
Detective Fiction
London, Michael Joseph, 1972.
First edition. 8vo. Original black boards. Dust-jacket, priced £2.20.
Macabre May-Day rites in Norfolk...Dame Beatrice Lestrange Bradley investigates.
Detective Fiction
London, Michael Joseph, 1978.
First edition. 8vo. Original black boards. Dust-jacket, priced £4.25.
Dame Beatrice Lestrange Bradley investigates in a crime thriller set in Cornwall.
Detective Fiction
London, Michael Joseph, 1954.
First edition. 8vo. Original black boards. Dust-jacket, priced 10s6d.
The 27th title in Mitchell's long-running series featuring the psychoanalyst and amateur sleuth Mrs Bradley.
Detective Fiction
London, Michael Joseph, 1977.
First edition. 8vo. Original burgundy boards. Dust-jacket, priced £3.75.
A nice copy of this later Mrs Bradley title by "The Great Gladys".
War, Invasion & Spy
London, Michael Joseph, 1945.
First UK edition. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket.
A very good first UK edition of aviator Ernest Gann's exciting, realistic aeronautic adventure set in the far north of Canada.