Books by Moray Dalton

"We've managed to head off the Press men so far. But that won't last. We can't escape publicity, and the reading public enjoys murders."Harriet Hall, living in her isolated cottage outside the village of Larnwood, might not have been everyone's cup of tea, but why did someone feel the need to kill her on the eve of the arrival of her young niece, Amy? Why had the likeable Deene family seemingly been so in thrall to the late Harriet? The innocent in this classic murder mystery have every reason to be grateful for Inspector Collier of Scotland Yard's involvement, given the incompetent behavior of the local Chief Constable. But as Collier's investigation deepens, the case gets stranger still. Finally, however, the guilty are punished - though readers will have to read through to the book's final, quietly devastating chapter to see just how.The Strange Case of Harriet Hall was originally published in 1936. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.

Together they looked down at the inert sprawling figure of a man fantastically dressed in red-and-white-striped pyjama trousers, with a red sash belt and a white silk shirt open at the neck.A Christmas gathering of young and old in a great country house in England-a masquerade-and the lights are turned off for a game of hide and seek. Silence-then a man's cry for "Lights!" The lights come on, revealing Hugh Darrow, blind since the War, standing in the main hall, fresh blood dripping from his hands and covering his white Pierrot costume. He tells the story of having discovered a dead man, stabbed through the heart, lying in a curtained window embrasure next to the one in which he was hiding. The murdered man proves to be Stallard, one of the visitors, and a writer of mystery tales. There follows a thrilling tale in which the life of an innocent man hangs in the balance. A grand and baffling tale for the mystery lover.The Night of Fear was originally published in 1931. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.

"I want to catch them. To do that we've got to lead them on. Now listen to me."Elbert J. Pakenham of New York City is among just nine survivors of the sinking of the Coptic - not counting his black cat Jehosaphat. The benevolent Mr. Pakenham has made his fellow survivors joint beneficiaries in his will, his nephew having recently passed away. But it seems that someone is unwilling to share the fortune, as the heirs start to die under mysterious circumstances . . .Then Mr. Pakenham himself disappears, and Inspector Collier of Scotland Yard suspects dirty work. When a trap is laid that seriously wounds his best friend at the Yard, Superintendent Trask, Collier is certain his suspicions are correct. Into his net are drawn a charming young woman, Corinna Lacy, and her cousin and trustee, Wilfred Stark; a landed gentleman of dubious reputation, Gilbert Freyne, and his sister-in-law, Gladys; an Italian nobleman of ancient lineage and depleted estate, Count Olivieri; and a Bohemian English artist, Edgar Mallory. But Collier will need some unexpected feline assistance before the case is solved.One by One They Disappeared was originally published in 1929. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.