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Robert Budd Mystery #10
The Tipster
A mysterious man calling himself 'the Tipster' telephones the DAILY CLARION newspaper and announces his intention to commit five murders, beginning with Lord Latimer, Senior Steward of the Jockey Club. John Tully, News Editor of the DAILY CLARION, believes the call to be a hoax by a madman - until Lord Latimer is shot dead while walking in the grounds of his house at Newbury. Superintendent Budd of Scotland Yard is called to investigate; but his powers are put to the test as several more people are brutally murdered...
328 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2018
3 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Gerald Verner
117 books21 followersGerald Verner is one of the pseudonyms used by John Robert Stuart Pringle, who was born in Streatham, London, on 31 January 1897.
In his early writing days he used the name Donald Stuart, under which name he wrote 44 stories for the Sexton Blake Library as well as six stories for Union Jack and three for the Thriller magazine. In addition he wrote two stage plays, 'Sexton Blake' and 'The Shadow', two films, 'The Man Outside' (1933) and 'The Shadow' (1933) under the Stuart name. Later a number of his books were adapted for radio serials, stage plays and films.
He became a hugely successful thriller writer, producing more than 120 novels that were translated in 35 languages. The Duke of Windsor was a big Verner fan and at one time he was presented with 15 volumes specially bound.
Heavily influenced by Edgar Wallace, he wrote extensively for magazines such as Detective Weekly, the Sexton Blake Library, Union Jack and The Thriller. He also adapted Peter Cheyney's 'Meet Mr Callaghan' and Agatha Christie's 'Towards Zero' for the stage.
He also used the pseudonyms Thane Leslie, Derwent Steele and Nigel Vane.
He died at Broadstairs, Kent, of natural causes on 16 September 1980.
Gerry Wolstenholme
July 2013
In his early writing days he used the name Donald Stuart, under which name he wrote 44 stories for the Sexton Blake Library as well as six stories for Union Jack and three for the Thriller magazine. In addition he wrote two stage plays, 'Sexton Blake' and 'The Shadow', two films, 'The Man Outside' (1933) and 'The Shadow' (1933) under the Stuart name. Later a number of his books were adapted for radio serials, stage plays and films.
He became a hugely successful thriller writer, producing more than 120 novels that were translated in 35 languages. The Duke of Windsor was a big Verner fan and at one time he was presented with 15 volumes specially bound.
Heavily influenced by Edgar Wallace, he wrote extensively for magazines such as Detective Weekly, the Sexton Blake Library, Union Jack and The Thriller. He also adapted Peter Cheyney's 'Meet Mr Callaghan' and Agatha Christie's 'Towards Zero' for the stage.
He also used the pseudonyms Thane Leslie, Derwent Steele and Nigel Vane.
He died at Broadstairs, Kent, of natural causes on 16 September 1980.
Gerry Wolstenholme
July 2013
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 25, 2025
The endings of this series of books never quite pan out as you think they will. Clever and highly imaginative, if a tiny bit formulaic.
September 28, 2024
This, no.10 in the series is not a bad yarn but barely credible. The amount of suspension of disbelief required is very high as usual with these. Having said that, they are quite enjoyable and easy to read. Budd is very likeable and the plots are clever. His caustic comments to Sgt. Leek are amusing. They can stand alone but I think they are better read in chronological order.
Want to read
June 9, 2025RK KINDLE
THE DETECTIVE BUDD CLASSIC MYSTERIES BOOKS 1–10 ten Golden Age British murder mysteries (Classic Crime Fiction Box Sets)
THE DETECTIVE BUDD CLASSIC MYSTERIES BOOKS 1–10 ten Golden Age British murder mysteries (Classic Crime Fiction Box Sets)
October 17, 2022
An excellent masterpiece.
I am running short of words to describe this book.It's one of the most outstanding, superb, excellent, awesome, fantastic and mind blowing, fantabulous thrillers, I have ever read. I have also added another Author to my hot favorite list, Gerald Verner. Wow! He's a sheer creative genius and a master story teller. I can't believe that a crime thriller like this would be sooooo good that I can't help but keep on praising it. Deserves a perfect ten for everything, the plot, characterization, the building of suspense, unexpected twists and turns, and a truly gripping story.
Set against the locality around London, the story begins with a mysterious stranger calling from a public telephone kiosk to the Newspaper office of The Daily Clarion and speaks to the News Editor, John Tully, announcing his intention to murder five people beginning with Lord Latimer, Senior Steward of the Jockey Club. The News Editor contacts the Newbury police but they ignore it, considering it a hoax. Unfortunately, the threat is executed and Lord Latimer is found dead by his butler, Masters. A freelance journalist, Gordon Cross and his wife, Vicki, jump into the fray to investigate along with the Superintendent Budd and Sergeant Leeks from the Scotland Yard with a deal for an exclusive on the story. While driving, Vicki orders Gordon to avoid hitting a person on bicycle, who's none other than the blackmailer, Maurice Swayne. Budd, Gordon, and his wife, Vicki, learn from Masters about hearing a gunshot and whistling of a tune. Later, Maurice also turns up, playing the same tune " “Clair de Lune".
The game of murders has just begun with the murderer calling himself "The Tipster", contacting the Daily Clarion to announce his second murder. Will Superintendent Budd from the Scotland Yard and Gordon Cross stop the psychopath from killing the other four? Who are the other possible intended victims and what did they do to incur the wrath of a madman who's genius enough to plant fake clues to avoid incriminating himself? I was almost biting my nails as the story progressed.
I highly recommend it for all the murder mystery lovers and also those who love good psychological thrillers.
I am running short of words to describe this book.It's one of the most outstanding, superb, excellent, awesome, fantastic and mind blowing, fantabulous thrillers, I have ever read. I have also added another Author to my hot favorite list, Gerald Verner. Wow! He's a sheer creative genius and a master story teller. I can't believe that a crime thriller like this would be sooooo good that I can't help but keep on praising it. Deserves a perfect ten for everything, the plot, characterization, the building of suspense, unexpected twists and turns, and a truly gripping story.
Set against the locality around London, the story begins with a mysterious stranger calling from a public telephone kiosk to the Newspaper office of The Daily Clarion and speaks to the News Editor, John Tully, announcing his intention to murder five people beginning with Lord Latimer, Senior Steward of the Jockey Club. The News Editor contacts the Newbury police but they ignore it, considering it a hoax. Unfortunately, the threat is executed and Lord Latimer is found dead by his butler, Masters. A freelance journalist, Gordon Cross and his wife, Vicki, jump into the fray to investigate along with the Superintendent Budd and Sergeant Leeks from the Scotland Yard with a deal for an exclusive on the story. While driving, Vicki orders Gordon to avoid hitting a person on bicycle, who's none other than the blackmailer, Maurice Swayne. Budd, Gordon, and his wife, Vicki, learn from Masters about hearing a gunshot and whistling of a tune. Later, Maurice also turns up, playing the same tune " “Clair de Lune".
The game of murders has just begun with the murderer calling himself "The Tipster", contacting the Daily Clarion to announce his second murder. Will Superintendent Budd from the Scotland Yard and Gordon Cross stop the psychopath from killing the other four? Who are the other possible intended victims and what did they do to incur the wrath of a madman who's genius enough to plant fake clues to avoid incriminating himself? I was almost biting my nails as the story progressed.
I highly recommend it for all the murder mystery lovers and also those who love good psychological thrillers.
December 6, 2018
Fairly run-of-the-mill mystery with five linked murders. Budd does not appear to do much, with most of the focus on crime reporter, Gordon Cross, and his wife Vicky, who hare around the countryside and investigate, rather in the manner of Paul Temple and Steve.
The murderer was known to the Superintendent and to this reader by the 50% mark.
A reasonable quick read,
The murderer was known to the Superintendent and to this reader by the 50% mark.
A reasonable quick read,
October 17, 2022
A man has rung the Daily Clarion stating that he intends to kill 5 people. But what is the link between them. Superintendent Budd investigates with hindrance from the annoying Gordon and Vicky Cross.
Overall an enjoyable mystery
Originally published in 1949
Overall an enjoyable mystery
Originally published in 1949
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews