What do you think?
Rate this book
Dr. Priestley #15
Dr. Priestley Lays a Trap
Dr. Priestley Lays a Trap, first published in 1933 (and also known by the title The Motor Rally Mystery), is part of the series of mysteries featuring private detective Dr. Priestley. Author John Rhode, a pen name of Cecil Street (1884-1964), was a prolific writer of mostly detective novels, publishing more than 140 books between 1924 and 1961.
From the dustjacket: The death of Lessingham and his companion, Purvis, was, indeed, a tragic affair; but an automobile accident, especially one occurring in a race, rarely arouses suspicion. Sergeant Showerby, however, was a conscientious soul. His duty was to investigate thoroughly and investigate he did, with results that were suspicious enough to arouse Inspector Hanslet of Scotland Yard and, through him, the great criminologist, Dr. Priestley.
At first, there is so little evidence that one cannot understand Dr. Priestley's interest in the case. Then, one by one, clues appear—not the ordinary clues which fall fortuitously in a detective's lap, but clues that are found because the Doctor, by his famous process of logical deduction, knows where to look for them. Gradually a pattern forms so diabolical in its simplicity and effectiveness that Dr. Priestley is forced to set a dramatic trap which very nearly ends the lives of both detective and criminal.
For sheer ingenuity of detective story mechanics, John Rhode has few equals and none of his many stories present a neater puzzle than this one, which will perplex all but the keenest detective fan.
From the dustjacket: The death of Lessingham and his companion, Purvis, was, indeed, a tragic affair; but an automobile accident, especially one occurring in a race, rarely arouses suspicion. Sergeant Showerby, however, was a conscientious soul. His duty was to investigate thoroughly and investigate he did, with results that were suspicious enough to arouse Inspector Hanslet of Scotland Yard and, through him, the great criminologist, Dr. Priestley.
At first, there is so little evidence that one cannot understand Dr. Priestley's interest in the case. Then, one by one, clues appear—not the ordinary clues which fall fortuitously in a detective's lap, but clues that are found because the Doctor, by his famous process of logical deduction, knows where to look for them. Gradually a pattern forms so diabolical in its simplicity and effectiveness that Dr. Priestley is forced to set a dramatic trap which very nearly ends the lives of both detective and criminal.
For sheer ingenuity of detective story mechanics, John Rhode has few equals and none of his many stories present a neater puzzle than this one, which will perplex all but the keenest detective fan.
- GenresMystery
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1933
49 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
John Rhode
141 books31 followersAKA Miles Burton, Cecil Waye, Cecil J.C. Street, I.O., F.O.O..
Cecil John Charles Street, MC, OBE, (1884 - January 1965), known as CJC Street and John Street, began his military career as an artillery officer in the British army. During the course of World War I, he became a propagandist for MI7, in which role he held the rank of Major. After the armistice, he alternated between Dublin and London during the Irish War of Independence as Information Officer for Dublin Castle, working closely with Lionel Curtis. He later earned his living as a prolific writer of detective novels.
He produced two long series of novels; one under the name of John Rhode featuring the forensic scientist Dr Priestley, and another under the name of Miles Burton featuring the investigator Desmond Merrion. Under the name Cecil Waye, Street produced four novels: The Figure of Eight; The End of the Chase; The Prime Minister's Pencil; and Murder at Monk's Barn. The Dr. Priestley novels were among the first after Sherlock Holmes to feature scientific detection of crime, such as analysing the mud on a suspect's shoes. Desmond Merrion is an amateur detective who works with Scotland Yard's Inspector Arnold.
Critic and author Julian Symons places this author as a prominent member of the "Humdrum" school of detective fiction. "Most of them came late to writing fiction, and few had much talent for it. They had some skill in constructing puzzles, nothing more, and ironically they fulfilled much better than S. S. Van Dine his dictum that the detective story properly belonged in the category of riddles or crossword puzzles. Most of the Humdrums were British, and among the best known of them were Major John Street.
-Wikipedia
Cecil John Charles Street, MC, OBE, (1884 - January 1965), known as CJC Street and John Street, began his military career as an artillery officer in the British army. During the course of World War I, he became a propagandist for MI7, in which role he held the rank of Major. After the armistice, he alternated between Dublin and London during the Irish War of Independence as Information Officer for Dublin Castle, working closely with Lionel Curtis. He later earned his living as a prolific writer of detective novels.
He produced two long series of novels; one under the name of John Rhode featuring the forensic scientist Dr Priestley, and another under the name of Miles Burton featuring the investigator Desmond Merrion. Under the name Cecil Waye, Street produced four novels: The Figure of Eight; The End of the Chase; The Prime Minister's Pencil; and Murder at Monk's Barn. The Dr. Priestley novels were among the first after Sherlock Holmes to feature scientific detection of crime, such as analysing the mud on a suspect's shoes. Desmond Merrion is an amateur detective who works with Scotland Yard's Inspector Arnold.
Critic and author Julian Symons places this author as a prominent member of the "Humdrum" school of detective fiction. "Most of them came late to writing fiction, and few had much talent for it. They had some skill in constructing puzzles, nothing more, and ironically they fulfilled much better than S. S. Van Dine his dictum that the detective story properly belonged in the category of riddles or crossword puzzles. Most of the Humdrums were British, and among the best known of them were Major John Street.
-Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 17, 2025
First published in 1933, this is a fairly humdrum entry in the series which Rhode so successfully executed for many a year to come.
Superintendent Hanslet investigates the odd deaths of two rally drivers and, in his usual way jumps to conclusions about guilt, not shared by Priestley:-
“I was only trying to emphasize the fact that it is unwise to follow one line of reasoning to the exclusion of all others. It is always advisable to keep as open a mind as possible in these matters.”
The plot here is weak, given that the suspects are few and that one knows that Scotland Yard is always wrong. Even the technical details are pretty boring and routine : the inclusion of a map/diagram or two might have enlivened things.The motive is especially unconvincing - does someone really prefer to murder two people (one entirely blameless)) in such circumstances? Additionally the murder method is unlikely given the many contingencies and unexpected problems which could occur during a motor rally especially in that era. However, Rhode scores points for being topical since the plot is based round the first ever RAC Rally of March 1932.
The other Dr Priestley novels of the same year, “The Claverton Mystery” and “The Venner Crime”,are much more rewarding.
3.25 stars
Superintendent Hanslet investigates the odd deaths of two rally drivers and, in his usual way jumps to conclusions about guilt, not shared by Priestley:-
“I was only trying to emphasize the fact that it is unwise to follow one line of reasoning to the exclusion of all others. It is always advisable to keep as open a mind as possible in these matters.”
The plot here is weak, given that the suspects are few and that one knows that Scotland Yard is always wrong. Even the technical details are pretty boring and routine : the inclusion of a map/diagram or two might have enlivened things.The motive is especially unconvincing - does someone really prefer to murder two people (one entirely blameless)) in such circumstances? Additionally the murder method is unlikely given the many contingencies and unexpected problems which could occur during a motor rally especially in that era. However, Rhode scores points for being topical since the plot is based round the first ever RAC Rally of March 1932.
The other Dr Priestley novels of the same year, “The Claverton Mystery” and “The Venner Crime”,are much more rewarding.
3.25 stars
December 14, 2025
Rating 3.5
Really enjoyed this entry in the series.
The novel was easy to read, the non-series characters were well drawn and interesting, the initial setting of a car rally was well described and at least for an unusual one, there was much talk about how the rally was run along with average speeds miles driven etc which was more reminiscent of a freeman wills Croft novel.
There isn’t anything really special about the overall thing tbh, but I was in the right frame of mind for the story, found it very entertaining and hence it moved from the usual 3 to a 4 rating.
Definite recommendation I think for readers of gad novels
Really enjoyed this entry in the series.
The novel was easy to read, the non-series characters were well drawn and interesting, the initial setting of a car rally was well described and at least for an unusual one, there was much talk about how the rally was run along with average speeds miles driven etc which was more reminiscent of a freeman wills Croft novel.
There isn’t anything really special about the overall thing tbh, but I was in the right frame of mind for the story, found it very entertaining and hence it moved from the usual 3 to a 4 rating.
Definite recommendation I think for readers of gad novels
February 21, 2022
Old-fashioned fun
There's something very satisfying about a detective story that's so purely of its type. There's no psychology, very little characterization, just the puzzle to be solved. It's not that the somewhat irascible, always logical Dr. Priestly is a bad character or boring to read about, but he reminds me of Nero Wolfe without the features that make Wolfe and Archie so great and memorable.
There's something very satisfying about a detective story that's so purely of its type. There's no psychology, very little characterization, just the puzzle to be solved. It's not that the somewhat irascible, always logical Dr. Priestly is a bad character or boring to read about, but he reminds me of Nero Wolfe without the features that make Wolfe and Archie so great and memorable.
May 10, 2024
Classic Dr Priestly. Loved it!
A wonderfully complex problem with all the twists and turns one could expect of Dr Priestly. I am a great admirer of British mystery and of the Golden Age writers who wrote a more leisurely, and thoughtful tale than some of the more sensational stories of later years.
A wonderfully complex problem with all the twists and turns one could expect of Dr Priestly. I am a great admirer of British mystery and of the Golden Age writers who wrote a more leisurely, and thoughtful tale than some of the more sensational stories of later years.
August 15, 2022
Dated of course, but the main problem is with flat characters that have very little development and a story that's complicated/contrived and has a solution that seems to come out of thin air. I'll give the author another chance, but based on this volume I'm not a fan...
October 23, 2023
Good mystery
I gave 5stars for several reasons. This is a thinking mystery, not filled with all the darkness and sick psychology of modern mysteries. The plot was built up in layers and was a relaxing, but challenging read.
I gave 5stars for several reasons. This is a thinking mystery, not filled with all the darkness and sick psychology of modern mysteries. The plot was built up in layers and was a relaxing, but challenging read.
March 20, 2022
Excellence !!
January 7, 2023
A fun mystery. It would be good to read more Rhode and the Priestly series.
June 5, 2023
It's highly unlikely that you will guess the ending
I'll say no more about that. At lot less filler than his former books though not as lean as Simenon or Doyle.
I'll say no more about that. At lot less filler than his former books though not as lean as Simenon or Doyle.
September 11, 2023
Standard John Rhode book. The characters are if anything less developed than usual but the plot is good.
October 20, 2021
I found this book thoroughly entertaining, in no small part due to the contemporary insight into 1930s England and the early days of motor rallying. Also, quaint little phrases like "to have a spot", meaning to have a drink, were scattered throughout the book giving a glimpse into pre-World War II argot. My only reservation was due to a few punctuation errors as a result of the poor eBook formatting of the copy I bought on Amazon.
February 4, 2019
This is the first time I read a book written by John Rhode and I really like it. This 1930s book is about a couple of people who were killed when their car crashed during a motor rally. What on the surface looks like a simple accident turns out to be an intricate plot of premeditated murder. The detective in this case, Professor Priestley, is a very logical thinker and Rhode did a good job walking us through his logic puzzle. The book is well written and fast paced. It almost reads like a thriller. There is a good description on how motor rally in England worked in the 1930s.
June 3, 2015
My re-introduction to John Rhode. Decent mystery with a fair amount of humour.
http://inkquilletc.blogspot.in/2015/0...
http://inkquilletc.blogspot.in/2015/0...
December 24, 2020
Cerebral book!
This is the delicious sort of mystery that demands the reader to think and to be intimately involved with the plot. Very interesting.
This is the delicious sort of mystery that demands the reader to think and to be intimately involved with the plot. Very interesting.
September 15, 2021
Intriguing. A good who done it
Very good of just enough info. Lots of twists and turns. Explained in way I could follow. I recommend it.
Very good of just enough info. Lots of twists and turns. Explained in way I could follow. I recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews