The Turquoise Shop (An American Mystery Classic)
The Turquoise Shop (An American Mystery Classic)

Author: Frances Crane

Publisher: Penzler Publishers

Published: 2022-09-06

Total Pages: 199

ISBN-13: 161316355X

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In a small arts community in mid-century New Mexico, a wealthy patron is accused of murder In a small, artsy New Mexico town, the arrival of a wealthy stranger from back East is enough to get folks talking. Even a few years after Mona Brandon landed in Santa Maria, the rumor mill still churns with tid-bits about her money, her influence, and — when a corpse is discovered in the nearby desert that may or may not be her husband — her secret and suspicious past. From the counter at her local jewelry and art shop, Jean Holly has a front row seat for all this gossip and more, after her acquaintance with Pat Abbott, the detective investigating the apparent murder, turns romantic. With his deductive reasoning and her local knowledge combined, they have everything they need to discover whodunnit. But will they be able to put the pieces together and solve the mystery before the killer strikes again? With characters and a setting inspired by Mabel Dodge Luhan and the Taos art colony, The Turquoise Shop is a delightful Golden Age mystery adorned with Southwestern historical detail. It is the first novel in the popular and long-running Pat and Jean Abbott series, which charmed mid-century audiences with over twenty-five installments and which was adapted for multiple radio programs in the 40s and 50s.

The Turquoise Shop
The Turquoise Shop

Author: Frances Crane

Publisher: National Geographic Books

Published: 2022-09-06

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 1613163657

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In a small arts community in mid-century New Mexico, a wealthy patron is accused of murder In a small, artsy New Mexico town, the arrival of a wealthy stranger from back East is enough to get folks talking. Even a few years after Mona Brandon landed in Santa Maria, the rumor mill still churns with tid-bits about her money, her influence, and — when a corpse is discovered in the nearby desert that may or may not be her husband — her secret and suspicious past. From the counter at her local jewelry and art shop, Jean Holly has a front row seat for all this gossip and more, after her acquaintance with Pat Abbott, the detective investigating the apparent murder, turns romantic. With his deductive reasoning and her local knowledge combined, they have everything they need to discover whodunnit. But will they be able to put the pieces together and solve the mystery before the killer strikes again? With characters and a setting inspired by Mabel Dodge Luhan and the Taos art colony, The Turquoise Shop is a delightful Golden Age mystery adorned with Southwestern historical detail. It is the first novel in the popular and long-running Pat and Jean Abbott series, which charmed mid-century audiences with over twenty-five installments and which was adapted for multiple radio programs in the 40s and 50s.

Rim of the Pit (An American Mystery Classic)
Rim of the Pit (An American Mystery Classic)

Author: Hake Talbot

Publisher: Penzler Publishers

Published: 2023-10-03

Total Pages: 275

ISBN-13: 1613164661

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The cult classic mystery that John Dickson Carr hailed as “a marvel of ingenuity.” “I came here to make a dead man change his mind.” So begins a creepy and unusual mystery celebrated to this day as one of the greatest “impossible crime” novels of all time. When a family’s promise to protect the beloved pine grove of their dead father creates a financial strain, a seance is suggested to summon the ghost of the late logger and ask its permission. A mixed group of skeptics and believers convene at a snow-bound lodge to call the spirit with a group that includes a gambler, a businessman, a clairvoyant, a professor, and a refugee, among others. With so many diverse interests at the table, the tensions run high — but when one of the participants ends up dead, there is reason to suspect that a nefarious spirit is to blame. The body is discovered in a locked room, impenetrable from the outside — just one of many bizarre and inexplicable circumstances surrounding the scene of the crime. There is also the trail of footprints in the snow, beginning and ending amid a field of untouched powder; another on the roof, with the tracks leading for a short distance before vanishing into nothingness; and, there are fingerprints on a gun suspended at an unreachable height… Supernatural undertones and eerie atmosphere clear away in the third act to present a logical conclusion to the case, teasing out the clues and murder methods that unscrupulous readers may have missed. With its off-beat exposition, puzzling plot and exceptional prose, Rim of the Pit is a cult classic of the Golden Age era deserving of a wide audience today.

Golden Age Bibliomysteries (An American Mystery Classic)
Golden Age Bibliomysteries (An American Mystery Classic)

Author: Otto Penzler

Publisher: Penzler Publishers

Published: 2023-07-11

Total Pages: 284

ISBN-13: 161316422X

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In these classic mystery tales, literature is a matter of life or death Of crime fiction’s many sub-genres, none is so reflexive and so intriguing as the “bibliomystery”: stories that involve crimes set, somehow, in the world of books. In Vincent Starrett’s “A Volume of Poe,” a bookseller is murdered; in Ellery Queen’s “The Adventure of the Three R’s,” the detective tracks the disappearance of a local Missouri author; and a killer stalks the stacks of the New York Public Library in Robert L. Blochman’s “Death Walks in Marble Halls.” With fourteen tales of bibliophilic transgression from the Golden Age of the mystery genre (the decades between the two World Wars), this volume collects stories guaranteed to entertain, featuring work from well-remembered authors such as Cornell Woolrich and Anthony Boucher and from those that are lesser-known today, such as Carolyn Wells and James Gould Cozzens. Edgar Award-winning anthologist, editor, bookseller, and mystery scholar Otto Penzler has focused extensively on the history of the bibliomystery, and his expertise shines in this enjoyable collection—both in the selection of stories, and in the informative and illuminating introductions that accompany each one.

The Case of the Rolling Bones: A Perry Mason Mystery (An American Mystery Classic)
The Case of the Rolling Bones: A Perry Mason Mystery (An American Mystery Classic)

Author: Erle Stanley Gardner

Publisher: Penzler Publishers

Published: 2023-11-07

Total Pages: 213

ISBN-13: 1613164637

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Perry Mason investigates a case of blackmail with a side of loaded dice Years ago, Alden Leeds struck it rich when he discovered a vein of gold. Now, aging and single, he finds himself surrounded by family waiting patiently to inherit his fortune. When he announces his engagement to a much younger woman, it sends that family into a panic, fearing that it might threaten their future gains. They have him admitted into a sanitarium, claiming incompetence—and that’s when lawyering super-sleuth Perry Mason gets involved, but the case is about to get much more complicated… Before all is said and done, Mason will tangle with a cheating gambler, a blackmailer, multiple aliases, multiple corpses, and enough red herrings to lead even the most astute reader astray. It will push the attorney’s deductive powers to their very limits before all is revealed, finally, in his masterful courtroom cross-examination. A fast-paced yarn with a delightfully convoluted plot, The Case of the Rolling Bones is among the best of the long-running Perry Mason novels, which would go on to inspire multiple television series as well as adaptations for radio and film. The book exemplifies the masterful page-turning action for which its prolific author is remembered today.

The Problem of the Wire Cage: A Gideon Fell Mystery (An American Mystery Classic)
The Problem of the Wire Cage: A Gideon Fell Mystery (An American Mystery Classic)

Author: John Dickson Carr

Publisher: Penzler Publishers

Published: 2024-01-02

Total Pages: 225

ISBN-13: 1613164882

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Death and tennis meet in one of impossible crime master John Dickson Carr’s most memorable cases. John Dickson Carr is famous for his puzzling “impossible crime” plots in which corpses are discovered in scenarios that seem to lack any logical explanation. Among all of Carr’s ingenious crime scenes, the present case is one of the best known: a dead man is found strangled in the middle of a clay tennis court just after a storm. In the damp dirt, there is one set of footsteps—his own—leading back to the grass; the court is otherwise untouched. It seems like a case of sudden death but, in order to find who’s at fault, the authorities must first solve the mystery of the body’s puzzling position. The bafflement has reached a harried volley by the time ace amateur sleuth Dr. Gideon Fell gets involved, bringing to the case a wit capable of cutting through the racket and discovering the truth. With brilliant deductive reasoning and plenty of humor, Fell untethers a confounding set of clues in search of a diabolical killer and a bizarre murder method, serving up a dazzling stroke of genius to expose whodunit. Reissued for the first time this century, The Problem of the Wire Cage is an atmospheric and amusing Golden Age mystery with a memorable puzzle at its center, perfect for both long-time fans and first-time readers of John Dickson Carr.

The Turquoise Lament
The Turquoise Lament

Author: John D. MacDonald

Publisher: Random House

Published: 2013-01-08

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13: 0307826767

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From a beloved master of crime fiction, The Turquoise Lament is one of many classic novels featuring Travis McGee, the hard-boiled detective who lives on a houseboat. Funny thing about favors. Sometimes they come back to haunt you. And Travis McGee owes his friend a big one for saving his life once upon a time. Now the friend’s daughter, Linda “Pidge” Lewellen, needs help five time zones away in Hawaii before she sails off into the deep blue with a cold-blooded killer: her husband. “The Travis McGee novels are among the finest works of fiction ever penned by an American author.”—Jonathan Kellerman When treasure hunter Ted Lewellen saved his life in a bar fight, McGee could never have thought he’d end up paying his rescuer back in such a way. But years later he finds himself headed to Hawaii at Ted’s request to find out whether Pidge’s husband really is trying to kill her, or if she’s just losing her mind. Of course, once McGee arrives he can’t help but give in to his baser instincts, and as his affair with Pidge gets underway, he can’t find a single thing wrong. McGee chalks up Pidge’s paranoia to simple anxiety, gives her a pep talk, and leaves for home blissfully happy. It’s not until he’s back in Lauderdale that he realizes he may have overlooked a clue or two. And Pidge might be in very serious danger. Features a new Introduction by Lee Child

C. N. WILLIAMSON & A. N. WILLIAMSON Ultimate Collection: 30+ Mystery Classics & Adventure Novels in One Volume (Illustrated)
C. N. WILLIAMSON & A. N. WILLIAMSON Ultimate Collection: 30+ Mystery Classics & Adventure Novels in One Volume (Illustrated)

Author: Charles Norris Williamson

Publisher: Good Press

Published: 2024-01-13

Total Pages: 7411

ISBN-13:

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The 'C. N. WILLIAMSON & A. N. WILLIAMSON Ultimate Collection: 30+ Mystery Classics & Adventure Novels in One Volume (Illustrated)' brings together an expansive range of narrative styles and themes, underscoring the versatility and depth of the Williamsons as authors. This anthology encapsulates the golden age of early 20th-century literature, combining mystery, adventure, and romance across its pages. Noteworthy for its scope, the collection presents an unparalleled opportunity to explore the intricate weavings of suspense and valor, with stories that remain as captivating today as they were upon their original publication. The selection showcases the authors' ability to blend societal observations with thrilling plots, making each piece a standout contribution to the genre. The backgrounds of Charles Norris Williamson and Alice Muriel Williamson, as husband and wife co-authors, offer a unique lens through which the narratives are presented, blending their individual perspectives into a seamless narrative voice that was ahead of its time. Their joint work aligns with the literary movements of their day, reflecting a keen insight into the rapid societal changes and technological advancements of the early 20th century. Their stories are not only adventures but also commentaries on the zeitgeist of their era, capturing the imaginations and concerns of their contemporary audience while remaining relevant to todays readers. This anthology is recommended for enthusiasts of classic literature, particularly those interested in mysteries and adventures that delve into human nature, societal shifts, and the complexities of the human spirit. Here lies an opportunity to traverse through disparate landscapes and times, guided by the imaginative prowess of the Williamsons. It promises education, entertainment, and a rich tapestry of human experience, making it an essential addition to the library of any avid reader seeking to broaden their literary horizons.

Turquoise
Turquoise

Author: Joe Dan Lowry

Publisher: Gibbs Smith

Published: 2010-10-01

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 9781423619802

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Turquoise has been mined on six continents and traded by cultures throughout the world's history, including the Europeans, Chinese, Mayan, Aztec, Inca, and Southwest Native Americans. It has been set in silver and gold jewelry, cut and shaped into fetish animals, and even formed to represent gods in many religions. This gemstone is displayed in museums around the world, representing the arts and traditions of prehistoric, historic, and modern societies. Turquoise focuses on the latest information in science and art from the greatest turquoise collections around the globe.

The Dream of the Turquoise Bee
The Dream of the Turquoise Bee

Author: Dianne Aigaki

Publisher:

Published: 2012-09-01

Total Pages: 322

ISBN-13: 9780941941006

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In 1959, French photojournalist Girard Pelletier dies while reporting on the Chinese invasion of Tibet. Neither his body nor his notes on Chinese human rights abuses are recovered; his colleagues believe he was murdered. Seventeen years later his wife, Erzebet, receives an official invitation from the Chinese Government to join an educational exchange in the same region where Girard disappeared. She accepts the invitation. She believes she will solve the mystery of her husband's death. She will find his murderers. While in Tibet, a romance flares between Erzebet and Norbu, a handsome nomad. Under the guise of needing someone to protect Erzebet, the village has sent him to stay in her tent. The villagers have Girard's missing notes and are trying to determine if she can be trusted to take them back to the West. Meanwhile, KaI Lun, Erzebet's translator, is an unwilling spy. Police are holding his wife and son hostage until he returns to China with the volatile documents. Kai Lun bullies and browbeats Erzebet, the nomads and local monks in his relentless search to surface the papers and ultimately is forced to confront his own shrinking humanity. What appears to be a scholarly quest evolves into a twisting tale of the police, forbidden romance, dangerous adventures, and personal obsessions played out against the backdrop of the spectacular landscape, exotic people, wildlife and flowers of Tibet.