Jethro Hammer : A Novel

Melville Fairr #3

by Michael (Pseudonym used by Georgiana Ann Randolph Craig who also wrote as Craig Rice) Venning

First edition bound in black cloth with red spine lettering. Pseudonym used by Georgiana Ann Randolph Craig who also wrote as Craig Rice. Three books were published as Venning, this being the final one. A VG+ or better copy. The head of the spine has a mild rub and the preliminary pages are lightly tanned else a fine, unmarked copy. In a VG dj that has some wear to the spine tips and corners but no significant chips or tears. An uncommon mystery.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1944

Reviews

[Bill Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a typical Craig Rice mystery. Taken on its own terms the book explores the life of the title character, murdered early in the book. The detective, Melville Fairr, tries to determine why Jethro Hammer was murdered and of course who did it. Fairr had been hired by Hammer to protect him from what he believed, rightfully as it turns out, his own murder. Most of the book consists of Fairr investigating Hammer's past life and the people who played roles in it. The most interesting aspect of the book is Fairr's own conflict over revealing the identity of the murder. The choice he makes and why is the most satisfying part of the book. The overwhelming majority of the book however consists of interviews with Hammer's relatives and flashbacks relating to Hammer's life and these sections were not particularly vivid or interesting, with the exception of those relating to the murderer. An odd book with an intriguing premise and extended sections of dull narrative.

[Jeffrey Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third of the Melville Fair books, which were written by Craig Rice under the Venning pen name.

The Venning books, while mysteries, are also character studies and this book is no exception. The title character is the "adopted" son of a family who has taken him in but never made him feel a part of the family. The events are seen through the eyes of the various family members and we see how their lives have developed with and without money.

A highly recommended book.