Books by Patricia Wentworth

There is nothing more deadly than a friend betrayed.There is no doubt in Thomasina Elliott's mind that her oldest schoolfriend is a creature of habit. So when, after three years of regular correspondence, Anna's letters suddenly stop, Thomasina becomes concerned. And even more so when it transpires that her friend has disappeared without trace, in extremely odd circumstances. Fortunately, however, the indomitable Miss Silver is on hand to investigate.

She was looking at the place where the mirror had hung. It didn't reflect anything because the glass was gone. Instead there was a blackness, a dark hole full of shadows. There was a shuffling and a sighing, and a deep and dreadful groan. Then something moved.Flossie Palmer worked in the kitchen at 16 Varley Street. It was her job to see that the trays were carried up to Miss Rowland on time. But the job lasted only a few hours and Flossie found herself running, her heart pounding in her throat, down the foggy street, not daring to stop or to listen for the footsteps that might be following her. She had been exploring the drawing room of the great house and had suddenly seen the big six-foot mirror move - and reveal a human face. In the thickness of the fog Flossie met Miles Clayton and told him her story. Miles has a story of his own which explains his presence in London - searching for a 19-year-old girl who, if found, would become heir to a vast sum. How these two mysteries coincide, and how they are resolved, form one of the author's most beguiling adventures.Blindfold was originally published in 1935. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans."When I pick up a book by Patricia Wentworth I think, now to enjoy myself-and I always do." Mary Dell, Daily Mirror

"I don't know…no one knows…nobody knows but me…and they're the finest emeralds in the world…the Van Berg emeralds…and nobody knows where they are but me…"Jim could remember drinking with Elmer Van Berg and seeing his hand holding up the priceless string of emeralds-but Elmer Van Berg was killed that night. Did Jim do it? He couldn't remember a thing of the six weeks that followed. How could he have married the overbearing Nesta when Caroline, the lovely girl of his youth, was waiting for him? And how did the emeralds come to be in the secret hiding place in the Blue Room-the hiding place of which only he and Caroline knew the secret? The future looms malevolently, yet Caroline out of her love for him finds strength to help him to the truth…Outrageous Fortune was originally published in 1933. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans."When I pick up a book by Patricia Wentworth I think, now to enjoy myself-and I always do." Mary Dell, Daily Mirror

"They are letting me say good-bye. I'm to be shot to-morrow. It will be over by the time you get this…"Laura stood, pale and trembling, in the veiled dress she was to have worn as Jim Mackenzie's bride, and gave her word to marry Basil Stevens, a man she scarcely knew. In his unexpected visit Basil had made three things clear: Laura was the heiress of the great Hallingdon fortune; Jim faced a Soviet firing squad; and only this marriage would save Jim. Why? What was the plot that threatened to destroy him?It was not until Laura phoned Jim late one night after he had returned to England, half insane with grief, that he had an inkling of the truth about the remorseless power back of it all, and its single, far-reaching purpose. How Jim saves Laura from her fate underlies one of the most exciting mysteries Patricia Wentworth has written.Red Shadow was originally published in 1932. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans."When I pick up a book by Patricia Wentworth I think, now to enjoy myself-and I always do." Mary Dell, Daily Mirror

Ten years! He had been dead ten years!Uncannily alike in appearance were the twins, Jim and Jack Laydon. Both, too, loved beautiful Evelyn Prothero. For three mad, ecstatic days early in the Great War, Evelyn had been engaged to Jack. Then the engagement was broken, for reasons the girl chose never to make public. Soon after, she abruptly married Jim, but no one who saw it could ever forget Jack's face during the ceremony. A week later, on the same day, in the same raid, both brothers went missing. Now, ten years later, Evelyn is still a widow grieving - some say for Jack, some say for Jim.Then suddenly in Germany a mute peasant is struck on the head. When he recovers consciousness he claims his name is Laydon - Jim or Jack, he will not say. And how is Evelyn to know, when every distinguishing trait has been lost? Who - Jim, Jack, or A.N. Other - has grasped at a chance for a new life, and what steps has he taken to live it?The Amazing Chance was originally published in 1926. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans."When I pick up a book by Patricia Wentworth I think, now to enjoy myself-and I always do." Mary Dell, Daily Mirror

';How would you like to die for your country?' asked Benbow Smith languidly.Now that Marian has broken their engagement, Lindsay Trevor finds danger welcome, even though it means dyeing his hair red and impersonating his cousin Froth as Restow's secretary.Who is this Restow, huge, good-natured is he fabulously rich or desperately poor? Is he the mysterious Vulture, that master of deceit and manipulation? And there is Restow's wife, the big, tempestuous snake-charmer Gloria; Dalton, the lean, black, spider-like librarian, and Elsie Manning, Froth's friend, who is afraid of what? When Marian comes back into his life most unexpectedly, Lindsay enters a desperate struggle against the Vulture, with Marian's life at stake.Danger Calling was originally published in 1931, and was the second novel to feature the series character of Benbow Smith. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.';When I pick up a book by Patricia Wentworth I think, now to enjoy myself and I always do.' Mary Dell, Daily Mirror

';You mustn't go to Meade House. I've heard'Ambrose Minstrel, the inventor, is undoubtedly eccentric. But even his oddities cannot account for the strange events at Meade House. Young Hugo Ross, Minstrel's new secretary, feels that all the dark happenings centre somehow on himself cryptic remarks and veiled glances between Minstrel and his assistant, stealthy footsteps in the dead of night, the offer of a small fortune for the worthless field glasses. And then there is the unknown girl who had called from the dark, the rest of her statement swallowed by the night? But in spite of all his caution, Hugo Ross is drawn into a despicable plot involving government intrigue and espionage. With his own life on the line, how much is he willing to risk for his country?Fool Errant was originally published in 1929, and introduced the eccentric, elderly series character of Benbow Smith. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.';When I pick up a book by Patricia Wentworth I think, now to enjoy myself and I always do.' Mary Dell, Daily Mirror

';How would you like to be a rocket? A stranger for a week, an heiress for a week, then down with the stick and a stranger again.'Imperious, warm-hearted Honoria Maquisten plans to revise her will but before the papers can be drawn up, she is dead from an overdose of pills. All eyes are on Carey Silence, a penniless orphan who was recently made Honoria's ward. Suspicion becomes evidence, Carey is arrested and her trial is prepared. So begins a classic golden age mystery with many suspects and twists. Who was the ';rocket' referred to? Who was it Honoria really intended to cut out of her will? And most importantly who murdered her?This novel, from 1945, tells the story of one of the most dramatic trials in detective fiction the trial of Carey Silence. The new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.';When I pick up a book by Patricia Wentworth I think, now to enjoy myself and I always do.' Mary Dell, Daily Mirror