Red Stain

by Vernon Loder

When Inspector Gibbs investigates the murder of Old Farson of Hance House, he faces one of the most difficult cases of his career. As a moneylender, all of Farson's debtors are under suspicion: but which of them knew that Farson had unexpectedly returned from London that night? And which of them possessed the medical knowledge necessary to deliver such a precise wound to the heart? The police are convinced that aspiring young archaeologist Harry Marish is the obvious suspect. Harry's uncle, Dr Kaithe, is convinced his nephew is innocent - but then Dr Kaithe has secrets of his own....

Originally published in 1931 in Collins's celebrated 'Crime Club' imprint, this is a classic British murder mystery from the golden age of crime fiction!

237 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1931

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

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly above-average Loder, with an interesting twist, in that it starts with a character interfering with the murder scene.

The story sags rather in the middle, and has one of those extremely irritating and incompetent Chief Constables who hinders the police team with his "psychological" theories.

The main suspect and his strong-minded girlfriend do a little sleuthing on the side, to some effect, yet the professionals are given their place and are not portrayed as incompetent.

Quite enjoyable although one of the characters gets away with (not quite) murder!

[SuedePuzzler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, tricksy mystery. A partially inverted mystery where the reader starts knowing some things the cops know, but not the entire story.