The Iron Angel: And Other Tales of the Gypsy Sleuth

Michael Vlado

by Edward D. Hoch

Ever since his first story was published in 1955, Edward D. Hoch has been the dominant force in the fairplay detective story. Like his predecessors of the Golden Age between the Wars, Ed Hoch challenges the reader to read all the clues correctly and come to the correct conclusion before the sleuth. But he does much more than his sleuths are cut out of various cloths some are professional thieves, some investigate bizarre events, others are espionage agents, others specialize in locked rooms, and still others like the Gypsy Michael Vlado add a touch of exotic lore to their investigations. Long awaited by Hoch's fans, The Iron Angel is the first collection of Vlado's adventures, and it includes such cases as "The Gypsy's Paw" (in which the classic horror tale "The Monkey's Paw" seems repeated), "The Puzzle Garden" (in which murder is involved in a garden named after the apostles), "The Gypsy Wizard" (in which a wizard may, or may not, be able to fly), and other ingenious stories. Hoch has received the Mystery Writers of America's highest honor, The Grand Master Award. He also has received Edgar and Anthony Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bouchercon. The cover painting is by Carol Heyer, one of the finest of the mystery and science fiction artists.

Genres: Mystery

232 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2003

About the author

Edward D. Hoch is one of the most honored mystery writers of all time.

* 1968 Edgar Allan Poe Award (Mystery Writers of America): "The Oblong Room", The Saint Mystery Magazine, July 1967
* 1998 Anthony Award (Bouchercon World Mystery Convention): "One Bag of Coconuts", EQMM, November 1997
* 2001 Anthony Award (Bouchercon): "The Problem of the Potting Shed", EQMM, July 2000
* 2007 Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award (awarded 2008): "The Theft of the Ostracized Ostrich", EQMM, June 2007
* Lifetime Achievement Award (Private Eye Writers of America), 2000
* Grand Master (Mystery Writers of America), 2001
* Lifetime Achievement Award (Bouchercon), 2001

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Vlado is a leader in his small Rumanian village, where he farms and raises horses. Unlike many Gypsies, his tribe are settled, not migratory. At the request of his friend militia captain Seger, he sometimes helps solves crimes, usually those involving some of his fellow Rom. From locked room mysteries to more conventional tales, Vlado can usually figure out the culprit, sometimes to his sorrow. Entertaining and also enlightening about the plight of Gypsies in eastern Europe.