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Dr. Priestley #56
By Registered Post
The Mysterious Suspect, first published in 1953 (and also known by the title By Registered Post), is part of the series of mysteries featuring private detective Dr. Priestley. Author John Rhode, a pen name of Cecil Street (1884-1964), was a prolific writer of mostly detective novels, publishing more than 140 books between 1924 and 1961.
In The Mysterious Suspect, wealthy industrialist Peter Horningtoft is found dead in his study after apparently drinking poison from a bottle sent to him as a rheumatism treatment. Jimmy Waghorn is called in and blunders through the case initially until assisted by Dr Priestley. A second murder, disguised as a suicide, re-ignites the investigation.
In The Mysterious Suspect, wealthy industrialist Peter Horningtoft is found dead in his study after apparently drinking poison from a bottle sent to him as a rheumatism treatment. Jimmy Waghorn is called in and blunders through the case initially until assisted by Dr Priestley. A second murder, disguised as a suicide, re-ignites the investigation.
- GenresMystery
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1953
21 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
John Rhode
143 books31 followersAKA Miles Burton, Cecil Waye, Cecil J.C. Street, I.O., F.O.O..
Cecil John Charles Street, MC, OBE, (1884 - January 1965), known as CJC Street and John Street, began his military career as an artillery officer in the British army. During the course of World War I, he became a propagandist for MI7, in which role he held the rank of Major. After the armistice, he alternated between Dublin and London during the Irish War of Independence as Information Officer for Dublin Castle, working closely with Lionel Curtis. He later earned his living as a prolific writer of detective novels.
He produced two long series of novels; one under the name of John Rhode featuring the forensic scientist Dr Priestley, and another under the name of Miles Burton featuring the investigator Desmond Merrion. Under the name Cecil Waye, Street produced four novels: The Figure of Eight; The End of the Chase; The Prime Minister's Pencil; and Murder at Monk's Barn. The Dr. Priestley novels were among the first after Sherlock Holmes to feature scientific detection of crime, such as analysing the mud on a suspect's shoes. Desmond Merrion is an amateur detective who works with Scotland Yard's Inspector Arnold.
Critic and author Julian Symons places this author as a prominent member of the "Humdrum" school of detective fiction. "Most of them came late to writing fiction, and few had much talent for it. They had some skill in constructing puzzles, nothing more, and ironically they fulfilled much better than S. S. Van Dine his dictum that the detective story properly belonged in the category of riddles or crossword puzzles. Most of the Humdrums were British, and among the best known of them were Major John Street.
-Wikipedia
Cecil John Charles Street, MC, OBE, (1884 - January 1965), known as CJC Street and John Street, began his military career as an artillery officer in the British army. During the course of World War I, he became a propagandist for MI7, in which role he held the rank of Major. After the armistice, he alternated between Dublin and London during the Irish War of Independence as Information Officer for Dublin Castle, working closely with Lionel Curtis. He later earned his living as a prolific writer of detective novels.
He produced two long series of novels; one under the name of John Rhode featuring the forensic scientist Dr Priestley, and another under the name of Miles Burton featuring the investigator Desmond Merrion. Under the name Cecil Waye, Street produced four novels: The Figure of Eight; The End of the Chase; The Prime Minister's Pencil; and Murder at Monk's Barn. The Dr. Priestley novels were among the first after Sherlock Holmes to feature scientific detection of crime, such as analysing the mud on a suspect's shoes. Desmond Merrion is an amateur detective who works with Scotland Yard's Inspector Arnold.
Critic and author Julian Symons places this author as a prominent member of the "Humdrum" school of detective fiction. "Most of them came late to writing fiction, and few had much talent for it. They had some skill in constructing puzzles, nothing more, and ironically they fulfilled much better than S. S. Van Dine his dictum that the detective story properly belonged in the category of riddles or crossword puzzles. Most of the Humdrums were British, and among the best known of them were Major John Street.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 9, 2019
A bother great mystery novel ,The mysterious suspect
I truly appreciate d John Rhodes latest mystery,?The. Mysterious Suspect. I'm going to recommend this book for all mystery novel lovers.
I truly appreciate d John Rhodes latest mystery,?The. Mysterious Suspect. I'm going to recommend this book for all mystery novel lovers.
August 26, 2024
Competent Golden Age procedural with cleanly delineated characters and a victim who goes justly un-mourned. The framing device is a tad creaky but typically endearing: gentlemen of a certain age whose after-dinner entertainment consists of second-guessing the progress of the case and offering sage advice to the hapless detective. I presume this is the identifying hallmark of the series, and as such ongoing devices go, it is handled unobtrusively. I'll probably seek out the lot of them.
October 11, 2022
I enjoy these dated mysteries - I'm not sure I'd recommend them to most who might prefer more modern efforts. The story and twists are the main components and I find them enjoyable - sometimes the writing is rather flat and the story plods along, but overall I'm satisfied with the resolution and look forward to the next volume.
February 7, 2024
One of the best of John Rhode.
His writing improves steadily over time. As our local libraries don't include his books, I'll be buying them on kindle.
His writing improves steadily over time. As our local libraries don't include his books, I'll be buying them on kindle.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews