Death of a Dastard

Peter Chambers #18

by Henry Kane

PAPERBACK ORIGINAL FIRST EDITION, Dell Books #A144, published and First Printing July 1957. First Edition, First Printing, so stated, “DELL FIRST EDITION”, no previous hardcover. Cover “He guaranteed satisfaction on delivery - at the morgue.” Front cover illustration by Victor Kalin. Original 25 cover price. Paperback, 192 pages, 17 cm.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

Author Henry Kane was a lawyer who seemed to prefer writing. In his career, wrote over 60 novels, including about 30 featuring Peter Chambers. Other short-lived series characters were PIs Marla Trent and retired NYPD detective inspector turned P.I. McGregor. He also wrote the movie adaptations for Ed McBain's 87th Precinct's Cop Hater and The Mugger. And, in light of his experience with Chambers, Kane was the perfect choice to pen an original novel starring television's Peter Gunn.

He also wrote under the pseudonyms Anthony McCall, Kenneth R. McKay, and Mario J. Sagola. He is the creator of Peter Chambers, a private eye in New York City, McGregor, an ex-cop turned private eye in New York City, and Maria Trent. Kane also contributed to the series of 'Ellery Queen' novels ghostwritten by other authors.

Reviews

[Jure · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are three beautiful women in this one, three cases of blackmail and even three (!) private detectives somehow involved... but still plot is very simple and straightforward. Our hero doesn't really investigate in a traditional sense of conducting interviews, chasing leads, piecing pieces of evidence together and so on. Various clients simply hire him to do pretty trivial tasks (like blackmail money delivery) so he goes from a point A to B and C and along the way collects plenty of cash and few fat checks. No action, not much of a mystery or drama, not much of anything.

More here (review includes spoilers!):
http://a60books.blogspot.ie/2015/07/d...

[Michael Van Vleet · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book never reaches the heights of the bebop propulsive opening pages, but those first few pages are a delight.

[Mariana Sampaio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um bom enredo. Mistério até ao fim. Um clássico livro de crime. Muito bom!