Whose Hand?

by Vernon Loder

On a stormy night in June, nine guests assemble at the home of wealthy Greek financier, Mr. Cupolis - nine guests who have heavy investments in their host's financial schemes. They soon learn that Cupolis is bankrupt and that their investments are lost. So when their host is found dead in suspicious circumstances, Superintendent Cobham finds no difficulty in amassing at least nine suspects with a vengeful desire for the man's demise. But whose hand committed the crime?

First published in 1929, this is a classic British murder mystery from the golden age of detective fiction!

200 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

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rather like Vernon Lower’s writing, in spite of his limited and stereotyped portrayal of women. He tells a good story, sets up and unravels his puzzle and brings the reader along for the ride. Not all of it is entirely plausible - in this one I have some doubt about the amount that is accomplished hanging out of windows - but he carried me along.

Again, I like the way his police work as a team although in the end rather too much hung on the brilliance of Superintendent Cobham. I also enjoyed the aside about the importance of experts in policework - and reiteration that a detective can’t know everything and should get help with knowledge he doesn’t have - a bit of a breakthrough in detection in the 1930s.

This is an enjoyable page turner and entertainment with an engaging cast.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, since it showed local policemen working together to solve a murder without the help of Scotland Yard or interference from amateurs. However, the murderer was fairly obvious and I felt the plot would have benefitted from fewer suspects, as Loder did not really use all of them to effect.

The romance element was rather too prominent and the only woman in the case is not as strong as the female characters in the later Loders.

There are some similarities with works by Freeman Wills Crofts and his Inspector French but the book is none the worse for that.

3.5 stars