The Will o' the Wisp

by Edward D Hoch, Tom Mead (introduction)

Edward D. Hoch was a legend. A prolific writer of almost 1000 short stories, featuring more than 15 series characters, he was a master of the classical detective mystery. Among is most imaginative tales was "The Will-'O-the-Wisp-Mystery." interlocked short stories which can be read independently but culminating in an unexpected but fairly clued resolution. The series was suggested by Frederic Dannay, editor of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, with the author kept secret - they were written by "Mr. X" - but anyone familiar with Hoch style would immediately recognize their creator.



A too-little-known Hoch detective was the Roman Catholic priest, Father David Noone. Even though he appeared in only seven mysteries, Hoch returned to the character for some forty years. Hoch himself was a devout Catholic and used that background effectively in the Noone stories. The detection is often centered on Noone's inner-city parish but (unexpectedly) he does solve a crime in a circus.



Yes, indeed, a legend.

Genres: Mystery

226 pages, Paperback

Published August 22, 2024

Reviews

[Edward B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery lovers in our club often ask me for “something classic, but fresh.” This is my new go-to recommendation. Hoch blends fair play detection with genuine heart. The Father Noone stories especially felt personal to me; they’re filled with compassion without sacrificing clever plotting. This book reminded me that mysteries can be both brainy and soulful.

[Edwin N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the admin of our mystery book club, I can say with certainty that Edward D. Hoch deserves every bit of recognition he gets and then some. The Will-’O-the-Wisp Mystery kept me hooked with its interlocking stories, and the twist at the end was pure Hoch brilliance. His Father Noone tales especially struck a chord with me. The way Hoch weaves faith, logic, and human frailty into mysteries is nothing short of art.

[Su P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Running a book club means I see a lot of mystery writers come and go, but Hoch… Hoch is timeless. His short stories feel alive, clever, and incredibly satisfying. I loved how the Father Noone stories show not just crime solving, but compassion and insight into human nature. It’s rare to find a writer who entertains and makes you reflect at the same time.

[Jack S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every so often, as a club admin, I stumble on a book that feels like a hidden gem waiting to be shared. That’s exactly what happened here. Your Will ’O the Wisp Mystery stories are clever puzzles, but it’s the warmth of Father Noone that makes them unforgettable. Reading Hoch feels like being in the hands of a true master who respects his readers.

[Claudette R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t usually gush, but this book deserves it. As someone who has been leading book discussions for years, I can honestly say Hoch is in a league of his own. The interlocked stories felt like opening little puzzle boxes, each more surprising than the last. And Father Noone what a character. Quietly strong, thoughtful, and so real. Hoch made me care as much about the man as the mystery.

[Kelly J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I picked this book for our club, I wasn’t sure how many had even heard of Hoch. By the end, everyone was asking for more of his work. That’s the mark of a legend. What stood out to me was how fair the puzzles were Hoch never cheats the reader. And yet, I still gasped at the resolution. That balance of surprise and fairness is why I’ll keep recommending him.

[Jameson · Rating 4 out of 5]

C&L deliver a new collection of the great Edward Hoch’s stories. Half of them are connected tales of a manhunter tracking down a handful of escaped cons. The rest of the stories feature an amateur detective priest a la Fathers Brown and Dowling. Great stuff. Looking forward to more.

[Shirley J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this collection with our club, and we all agreed: You are the kind of writer who reminds you why you fell in love with mysteries in the first place. Personally, I adored the circus setting in one of the Noone tales so unexpected and yet so perfectly handled.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun quick read

[amanda! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly paced, tightly written. How I aspire to be able to write. No notes.

[Megan Carling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book with mystery chapters that feature a Catholic priest who solves all the murders. Enjoyed the easiness of it.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first set of stories had the best plots. The Father Noone stories all had an obvious clue planted early on, so were easy to figure out. The writing is not that great (serviceable but not great). And the copy editing! Awful!

[Arah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. This might’ve gone down better if I’d read them as a sequence of magazine articles, as they were designed. But honestly, the noirness of it doesn’t really save the outdated, sexist world these stories move in.