The Vase Mystery

by Vernon Loder

‘A master story-teller’ Manchester Evening NewsThis 2025 Spitfire Publishers ebook and paperback edition represent the first republication of this classic of the ‘Golden Age of Crime’ in almost a century‘Effortless telling of a good story and meticulous observation of the rules’ The Observer
At Hallsea, on England’s South Coast, the guests at the Hotel Haut Ton, are drifting leisurely through an uneventful winter season. Quite suddenly they are plunged, one and all, into a baffling murder mystery. Mr Grange, a universally unpopular resident at the seaside hotel, is found dead by his wife in their private rooms. The corpse is lying in a pool of blood beside the shattered remains of a large ornamental vase which formerly stood on the mantel-shelf. Facts all but prove Grange’s death to have been an accident, but Superintendent Fox has discovered something which suggests foul play…

About the Author

Vernon Loder was one of no less than nine pseudonyms adopted by Anglo-Irish detective fiction author, Jack Vahey. Born John George Hazlette Vahey in Belfast in 1881 he worked first as an apprentice architect, then an accountant before finally turning to writing fiction full-time. He is perhaps best known by his ‘Vernon Loder’ pseudonym used on twenty-two of his novels, many published in the prestigious Collins Crime Club, the first The Mystery at Stowe in 1928, the last, Kill in the Ring, in 1938. Jack Vahey died in 1938.

Praise for the Author

‘Character drawing in Vernon Loder’s strong point’ Glasgow Herald

‘The name of Vernon Loder must be widely known as a reliable and promising indication on the cover of a detective story’ Times Literary Supplement

‘One of the most promising recruits to the ranks of detective story writers’ F.T. Smith, Collins Crime Club Editor

The Shop Window Murder
‘A decidedly ingenious story’ Times Literary Supplement

Between Twelve and One
‘A murder most ingeniously contrived’ New York Times

Genres: Mystery

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1929

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

[Suzie Grogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little disappointing. The characters were numerous and some unnecessary which just served to make the puzzle difficult to get into and the Inspector- a gentlemanly but somewhat faceless stickler for routine policing- didn’t play fair. I may give Loder a second chance, but I’m in no rush.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two and a half stars.

A rather pedantic story set in a semi-genteel boarding house. Lots of characters which was initially quite confusing.

Loder has written some good stories but I don't think this was one of them.

Disappointing.

[MS M ADAMS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A golden age classic!

This was the first book I had read from this author and I will be looking for more. Although the perpetrator did cross my mind from time to time I was completely surprised at the background.