Books by Patricia Wentworth

';You told me a lot of things,' said James grimly. ';Most of them weren't true.'James Elliott, lost in a fog, comes upon a lonely house in the English countryside. The house shows no lights but the front door is ajar. He enters in search of a telephone but instead finds a girl whose white face, eyes wide in a stare of horror and mouth open as if to scream. But instead of screaming, she yells ';run!' At that moment there is the sound of a shot and James feels the wind of a bullet as it goes past. Though he rescues the girl, she cannot or will not tell him quite where the danger liesIs the girl's name Aspidistra Aspinall, as she originally claims? Or perhaps it's Sally West, as she later styles herself, when revealing that bestselling author Ambrose Sylvester may have passed off a dead man's work as his own. The girl's fear is real enough, and for good reason someone is playing for high stakes, and another corpse has been left to prove it. But will James himself turn out to be the intended victim?Run! was originally published in 1938. 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

Ice is still. Death is still. But no living flesh should be as still as thisAgent Stephen Enderby, known in Russia as Red Stefan, meets Elizabeth Radin, the lovely widow of a Soviet inventor, just at the moment she is about to throw herself into a river in despair. The Communists have been persecuting her in order to obtain the vital formula her husband devised just before his execution. Stephen prevents her from committing suicide, takes her away with him and tries to escort her out of the country, posing as his wife. But Elizabeth has not told Stephen her deadly secretRed Stefan 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 went down to the pool, and he was lying half in and half out of it with his head bleeding and the tide coming in. The water was up to his shoulders.'The marriage between Nan Forsyth and Jervis Weare is a purely business arrangement to Jervis. But for Nan there is true romance behind it a romance which began for her in childhood days and she is content to be considered for the time a scheming adventuress. But, as she soon discovers, both she and Jervis are now the targets of a golden-haired devil and her villainous partner who'll stop at nothing in this story of lively and profound thrills.Nothing Venture 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

';Beware walk with care,Or mumbo jumbo will hoodoo you.Young Jeremy Ware is suspected of stealing important papers, and Colonel Garrett of the Secret Service (last seen in Danger Calling) consults Benbow Smith about it. Even Rosalind Denny, still grieving for her late husband, suspects Jeremy. But when the young man, trying to exonerate himself, meets a beautiful sleepwalker in a cellar, matters quickly progress to a case of murderWalk with Care was originally published in 1933, and was the third novel to feature the series character of Benbow Smith (not to mention his delightfully perspicacious parrot, Ananias). 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

';Do you want to make 500 pounds? If you do and are willing to earn it, write to...'So reads the handbill thrust on Car Fairfax. He is literally down and out, for the soles of his shoes had gone long ago and the uppers show a crack which mean doom to his hopes of a job. And he has just met Isobel: Isobel whom he had not seen for three long, weary years.But Car's road back to fortune is beset by mystifying experiences involving his cousin Anna; a precise gentleman in neat clothes and pince-nez; and a job whose sole duties apparently consist of dining in a fashionable restaurant. And then he is caught in a web which leads to the unravelling of the mystery surrounding his cousin Anna and finally to danger which threatens both Isobel and himselfBeggar's Choice was originally published in 1930. 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 talk of him as if he were alive.'';He is alive,' said Benbow Smith.';And you think he would do murder?'';I am quite sure that he would do murder, Captain Loddon.'Rose Anne disappeared on the eve of her wedding to Captain Oliver Loddon. Her fianc received a letter posted from Paris saying she was sorry but there was someone else.To the police it is quite simple. But Oliver can't believe Rose Anne capable of such a cruel act, and then discovers that her note carries quite another message. Benbow Smith is brought in to investigate, and we learn the young woman's disappearance is connected to an escaped and dangerous criminal and Rose Anne isn't the only one who's recently gone missingDown Under was originally published in 1937, and was the fourth and last novel to feature the series character 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

A classic golden age mystery, and the twelfth book in the hugely popular Miss Silver series.

A classic golden age mystery, and the twenty-second book in the hugely popular Miss Silver series.

A classic golden age mystery, and the fourth book in the hugely popular Miss Silver series.

The Everton murder case has long been closed. The culprit has been charged with the murder of his uncle and has served a year of his sentence already. Or has he?The evidence against Geoffrey Grey is convincing but his wife believes in his innocence. And so does her young cousin, Hilary, who decides to solve the mystery herself.But when Hilary herself is nearly murdered she turns in desperation to her ex-fiance for help. He calls upon the services of Miss Silver to help solve another mystery, which she does in her own original style..

There were times when Rachel Treherne fervently wished that her beloved father had left his fortune to somebody else, so overburdened did she feel with the administration of her estate. And never more so than now for, although she was surrounded by relatives who depended on her, whom she loved and who must surely love her, there was no doubt in her mind that somebody was trying to kill her. Threatening letters could be ignored, odd tasting chocolates can be rejected, but when snakes are left in her bed, Rachel is convinced that someone means her terrible harm. Her only chance of a future life lay with Miss Silver, and Miss Silver was well on the way to unmasking the murderer when they struck again.

Anne Jocelyn had been a beautiful, wealthy young woman. She had died three years ago. At least, that was what her husband Philip and the rest of the family had always thought. But then a woman calling herself Anne Jocelyn appeared and managed to convince everyone that she was the real Anne. Everyone, that is, except Miss Silver, whose suspicions are aroused by an apparently senseless murder.

A witness who remembers nothing is in mortal danger.A young woman regains consciousness and finds herself on some cellar steps. At the bottom of the steps there is the corpse of a dead girl. She cannot remember who she is, what has happened or why she is there. Terrified and confused she manages to find a way out and as she flees she runs into Miss Silver, who offers to help her.A letter in her bag is the only clue to her identity. But by investigating what has happened to her will she find herself in danger? Can she trust the letter writer? And who is the girl in the cellar?

Lewis Brading loves only one thing his collection of jewels. Not only are the gems extremely valuable but also every piece has a fascinating and bloody history attached to it. However Lewis is a frightened and difficult man who sees thieves around every corner. When he asks Miss Silver for help, she gives him some sound advice and turns him away. A few days later, she receives a letter from him, again asking for help. But it is too late. In the morning paper is the news of his murder. Lewis Brading loves only one thing his collection of jewels. Not only are the gems extremely valuable but also every piece has a fascinating and bloody history attached to it. However Lewis is a frightened and difficult man who sees thieves around every corner. When he asks Miss Silver for help, she gives him some sound advice and turns him away. A few days later, she receives a letter from him, again asking for help. But it is too late. In the morning paper is the news of his murder.

They hoped he would never come back . . .Who was William Smith? And why was Mavis Jones so horrified to see him?For seven years William had worked as a woodcarver for the local toyshop, ignorant of his true identity. The war had robbed him of his memory, and no one expected him to ever find the answer. So when he took his work to Evesleys Ltd, why was his life instantly in danger?When William makes the frightening discovery that there are people determined not to let his memory return whatever the cost, Miss Silver is called in to investigate. But will she uncover their treachery before Mavis strikes again...?

A classic mystery novel from one of the mistresses of the genre.First she felt herself being pushed downstairs. Then there was the bowl of poisoned mushroom soup. Finally the tampered-with tablet amongst her sleeping pills was the last straw. Adriana Ford, famous actress and mistress of the house decided to call in Miss Silver. And Maud Silver, with impeccable logic, pointed out that the person who was trying to kill her must be a member of her own household.And then the murders started...

Tilling Green was a charming little village nestling in the Ledshire countryside. Not at all the sort of place you would expect to find an anonymous letter writer. And when one of the recipients, a young woman, was found drowned in the lake belonging to the Manor House, Miss Silver was persuaded to go and investigate. Valentine Grey, the pretty young heiress from the Manor House, was marrying one Gilbert Earle, but on the night of Valentine's pre-wedding party Jason Leigh, Valentine's former love, returned after months without a word. Valentine discovered Gilbert in a compromising situation with her guardian's wife. And several people received extremely nasty letters. Connie Brooks knew who had written those letters. But on the same night, she was murdered ...

A classic mystery novel from one of the mistresses of the genre.Bill Waring, collecting his wits in hospital after a train crash, receives only one letter from Lila Dryden, his fianc e. When he discovers Lady Dryden, Lila's guardian, has pressured her into an engagement with Herbert Whitall, he is furious.Herbert Whitall is aggressive, with a cold-hearted possessiveness that expands past the bounds of his ivory collection he can't bear to lose. His employees hate him, Lila is terrified of him and it appears he has a hold on Lady Dryden.When a dagger in Whitall's collection becomes the instrument of his own death there are many suspects. Maud Silver must see that justice is done, not merely to punish the guilty, but to protect the innocent.

Tanis Lyle was one of those passionate women who always get their own way. Her cousin Laura hated her. Most women did. But men found her irresistible and she used them mercilessly.So when Tanis was found murdered there seemed to be any number of suspects on hand.But Miss Silver had her own suspicions . . .

When she found the body of her beloved Uncle Jonathan, Georgina instinctively stooped to pick up the revolver, thus becoming the prime suspect. Georgina stood to inherit a large fortune when her uncle died. But her uncle had a second secret will and the beneficiary is the wide-eyed ingenue Mirrie Fields. But there was also the puzzle of the missing fingerprint. It was the showpiece of Uncle Jonathan's collection. He had acquired it from a self-confessed murderer, who was still at large. When the old man was shot, the print had been torn from its album. Was the missing fingerprint the clue to the murderer's identity? Maud Silver is determined to find out.

It's nearing the end of WWII, and Michael Harsh has been working for the government on a secret project for years. Finally he is ready to hand over the formula. But the next morning he is dead. It looks like suicide. Only Miss Silver knows it's murder.

New Year's Eve, 1940, is unusual for the Paradine family. Departing from tradition, James Paradine makes a speech that changes the course of many lives. Valuable documents have disappeared. A member of the family has taken them. The culprit has until midnight to confess and return the papers. A few minutes after twelve James Paradine is dead. It is left to Miss Silver to disentangle the threads that bind the Paradine family in a strange web of dislike, hatred and fear.

Charming men can be the most dangerous . . .Jenny is 18 when her guardian is killed and her wealthy relations the Forbes invite her to stay. Consoled by the affectionate attentions of their little girls and the charming elder son, she starts to find her feet again.Then she overhears a private conversation and realises she is in terrible danger. Terrified and bewildered, Jenny flees from the village, desperately hoping her enemies will forget all about her. But she's wrong . . .

Nothing much ever seemed to happen in the sleepy village of Hazel Green apart from the occasional tea-party, spiced with local gossip. Until Maggie Bell went out one evening for a breath of fresh air and never came back. Could Maggie's disappearance be linked to security leaks at the nearby Air Ministry? Or is a sinister scheme being hatched closer to home? Miss Silver is called in to solve the mystery just as a second person goes missing ...

To the innocent visitor the picturesque village of Greenings would appear to be a haven of tranquility. But every place has its secrets and beneath the calm surface lurk hidden resentments and dangerous passions. When a man is found lying face down in a nearby watersplash, the verdict is death by misadventure. But Miss Silver happens to be in the neighbourhood and she suspects foul play ...

James and Carmona Hardwick are spending the summer playing host to numerous friends and relatives in an old Hardwick family residence by the sea. The arrival of Alan Field, a devastatingly handsome though shady figure from Carmona's past, destroys the holiday atmosphere in the old house and replaces it with a mounting tension, culminating in murder. Fortunately, Miss Silver is present to unravel the complex mystery and seek out the murderer amongst them.

CLASSIC GOLDEN AGE MYSTERY PERFECT FOR FANS OF AGATHA CHRISTIEMiss Silver must foil a plot to murder a beautiful young heiress'Ranks with the best of the golden-age detectives' Daily MailFurious at being jilted at the altar by his once-fianc Margaret Langton, Charles Moray left England behind him. Now, four years later, he returns to his family home, only to find it unlocked and with a light burning in one of its abandoned rooms. Eavesdropping, Charles soon discovers that a criminal gang has been using his house to plan a vicious crime. The target is the beautiful Margot Standing, who is due to inherit a considerable fortune. And what's more he recognises the voices of one of the conspirators - his lost love Margaret Langton.How did Margaret come to be involved? And who is the terrifying masked man who has her in his thrall? Charles contacts Miss Silver to unravel the mysteries of the case and, if she can, save Margot Standings life. 'A first-rate storyteller' Daily Telegraph'You can't go wrong with Miss Maud Silver' Observer'Miss Silver is marvellous' Daily Mail'Better than Miss Marple' Mary Stewart'A particular favourite' Andrew Taylor 'Miss Wentworth's plot is ingenious, her characterization acute, her solution satisfying' Scotsman'Miss Silver has her place in detective fiction as surely as Lord Peter Wimsey or Hercule Poirot' Manchester Evening News

A classic mystery novel from one of the mistresses of the genre.Things had never been quite the same at Latter End since Lois had taken over. Suddenly life seemed to be an endless succession of bitter family rows which Lois, needless to say, invariably won.More than one person at Latter End found themselves stretched to the limit by Lois and her bullying, and it was only a matter of time before somebody snapped. It was unthinkable of course . . . but if anyone ever murdered Lois Latter, it would be very embarrassing to discover just how many people might have wished her dead.

Martin Brand's relatives are furious that he's left his large estate to his niece, Marion, whom he had only met once. And Marion is upset that she has to share her new home with Martin's family. Then a body is found on the beach wearing her coat. Fortunately Miss Silver is on the scene.