Between Twelve and One

by Vernon Loder

Nine guests arrive for a weekend party at Tenon Oaks, a Tudor country house set in nine acres of the English countryside. The visitors all know Tenon Oaks by repute. It is a show-piece in the county of Wiltshire, with a full contingent of domestic staff, fine entertaining rooms and positioned atop a hill with fine views over the wooded parkland below. The host, millionaire financier Mr Copolis, is absent. His private secretary, Victor Mand, informs the assembled party – all investors in Mr Coplis’s financial schemes – that the host is sick and confined to his room. However, after dinner whilst enjoying cocktails and cigars in the piano room, the investors are informed that all their money has been lost. Between midnight and 1 a.m. Mr Copolis is murdered…

About the Author

Vernon Loder was one of no less than nine pseudonyms adopted by Anglo-Irish detective fiction author, Jack Vahey.

Genres: Mystery, British Literature

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2025

About the author

Vernon Loder was a pseudonym for John Haslette Vahey, an Anglo-Irish writer who also wrote as Henrietta Clandon, John Haslette, Anthony Lang, John Mowbray, Walter Proudfoot and George Varney.

Vahey started his working life as an apprentice architect, then an accountant before finally turning to writing fiction full-time.

extra bio info from a book blurb

Reviews

[Carissa]

This was a clever mystery! I didn't solve it because it relied on information that other people probably would have known, but it was enjoyable. The characters are likable, too. It's not the world's greatest mystery, but it's an enjoyable afternoon read.

[gill carrick]

Complex and satisfying mystery - plot very clever, secondary story ie a romance a bit feeble

[Betsy]

Rounded up from 2.5. Not fond of Supt. Cobham. I normally like mysteries set in country houses, but this one was meh. Disappointing.