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Jim Hanvey #1 Short stories
Jim Hanvey, Detective
First published in 1923, Jim Hanvey, Detective is a collection of seven stories that originally appeared in The Saturday Evening Post and features private eye Jim Hanvey in classic whodunit style mysteries. Described as the "backwoods Nero Wolfe," the genial Hanvey befriends "good guys" and criminals alike to get the job done.
Bank robberies, jewel heists, and all-purposes cons--none are a match for Octavus Roy Cohen's waddling sleuth.
Bank robberies, jewel heists, and all-purposes cons--none are a match for Octavus Roy Cohen's waddling sleuth.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1923
10 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Octavus Roy Cohen
127 books8 followersOctavus Roy Cohen was an American author, born in South Carolina where he received his secondary education at the Porter Military Academy, now the exclusive Porter-Gaud School. He went on to receive a college education at the Clemson University. Between 1910 and 1912 he worked in the editorial departments of the Birmingham Ledger, the Charleston News and Courier, the Bayonne Times, and the Newark Morning Star. He became popular as a result of his stories printed in The Saturday Evening Post which concerned themselves with the adventures of the Southern Negro. If his people seemed to possess the usual mythical Negro qualities of drollery and miscomprehensions, his tales at any rate were spirited. In 1913, he was admitted to the South Carolina bar and practiced law in Charleston for two years. Between 1917 and his death he published 56 books, works that included humorous and detective novels, plays, and collections of short stories. He also composed successful Broadway plays and radio, film, and television scripts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 31, 2021
“Hanvey is my name. Mr. James Hanvey.”
“Next time I come remember I ain’t no guy. I’m a feller.”
Jim Hanvey, Detective by Octavus Roy Cohen is a Classic sleuth mystery short collection of seven stories.
“You can’t arrest a man for what he’s got in his head. If you could the jails’d be overflowin’.”
In 1922, Cohen created Jim Hanvey, a detective whose slow and stupid appearance masked a sharp mind and a tenacious character. He treated villains with respect, and in some cases, he was a friend of them.
“I know you, Jim. You ain’t half the fool you look. You couldn’t be."
Well, overall this was good, a little hard to read, but I think it was funny in some ways and different, although this enormous
foolishness couldn't be too right for thieves, is it?
“Just between friends—you did steal them jools, didn’t you?”
“Between friends?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Yes, I stole them. But you can’t prove it, Jim.”
“M’m! I could arrest you now an’ say that you confessed you stole ’em.”
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for giving me the chance to read Jim Hanvey, Detective by Octavus Roy Cohen, I have given an honest review.
Pub Date: 10 Aug 2021
“Next time I come remember I ain’t no guy. I’m a feller.”
Jim Hanvey, Detective by Octavus Roy Cohen is a Classic sleuth mystery short collection of seven stories.
“You can’t arrest a man for what he’s got in his head. If you could the jails’d be overflowin’.”
In 1922, Cohen created Jim Hanvey, a detective whose slow and stupid appearance masked a sharp mind and a tenacious character. He treated villains with respect, and in some cases, he was a friend of them.
“I know you, Jim. You ain’t half the fool you look. You couldn’t be."
Well, overall this was good, a little hard to read, but I think it was funny in some ways and different, although this enormous
foolishness couldn't be too right for thieves, is it?
“Just between friends—you did steal them jools, didn’t you?”
“Between friends?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Yes, I stole them. But you can’t prove it, Jim.”
“M’m! I could arrest you now an’ say that you confessed you stole ’em.”
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for giving me the chance to read Jim Hanvey, Detective by Octavus Roy Cohen, I have given an honest review.
Pub Date: 10 Aug 2021
July 21, 2021
183 pages
Fish Eyes
Homespun Silk
Common Stock
Helen of Troy, N.Y.
Caveat Emptor
The Knight’s Gambit
Pink Bait
Fish Eyes
Homespun Silk
Common Stock
Helen of Troy, N.Y.
Caveat Emptor
The Knight’s Gambit
Pink Bait
July 13, 2022
A collection of stories featuring a detective that is uncouth and uncultured. He's friends with most crooks and knows most of their gambits.
Mostly he hangs around, and the crooks get so nervous they trip over their own feet. Not much actual detecting.
Mostly he hangs around, and the crooks get so nervous they trip over their own feet. Not much actual detecting.
July 30, 2022
This is a collection of seven stories originally published in 1923, after magazine publication of the individual stories. Jim Hanvey is an uncouth, fat looking detective but with a brilliant mind. None of these stories are murder mysteries. Jim Hanvey in these stories is out to catch or, more often, thwart thieves and similar-type crooks. How he does it is very entertaining and has excellent plot twists.
July 4, 2021
Equal parts Damon Runyon and Colombo, Jim Hanvey doesn’t look like much of a detective. He’s jowly and heavyset, with double chins and glassy, fish-like eyes, a Southern country boy in terrible tweed suits transplanted to New York City. But his disheveled looks disguise a keen mind. Hanvey doesn’t act much like a detective, either, befriending half of the criminal element in the Greater New York area à la Runyon. The Hanvey stories also resembles the 1970s TV series Colombo in that readers know the perpetrator from the start; the fun is in finding out how Hanvey’s going to make his case and enjoying the unexpected twists that come at the end of most of the tales.
Americans first discovered Hanvey in The Saturday Evening Post in 1922. A year later Jim Hanvey, Detective was released in 1923. Why isn’t his creator, Octavus Roy Cohen better known? I loved all but one of the seven stories (the exception being “Homespun Silk”). Here’s to hoping the Poisoned Pen Press publish more of Cohen’s detective stories.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.
Americans first discovered Hanvey in The Saturday Evening Post in 1922. A year later Jim Hanvey, Detective was released in 1923. Why isn’t his creator, Octavus Roy Cohen better known? I loved all but one of the seven stories (the exception being “Homespun Silk”). Here’s to hoping the Poisoned Pen Press publish more of Cohen’s detective stories.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.
March 8, 2022
As with many such books, I am always game to try books that are reprints or first-time prints of authors who lived years ago.
This book has the additional component of providing context to the more obscure usages and terminologies towards the end. This is not something I usually appreciate, but it added something to the narrative in this case.
It is a small collection of seven short stories.
The first: 'Fish Eyes', it was pretty entertaining. Jim Hanvey is but a spectre in the background and does not actually do much to the story. A bank robbery was meticulously planned, but once Jim Hanvey comes into the scene, he solves the issue without even trying. Given the turn the narrative takes, it should have been annoying, but it was surprisingly not.
Homespun Silk: This story was also along the same line, with the crime being laid out front and centre and then Jim Hanvey does some meddling. In this case, this unlikely and strange-looking detective does a pretty great job of wrapping things up. He proves his statement at the beginning, where he claims to be doing well workwise.
Common Stock: This was another case where Jim Hanvey (it makes sense to always refer to him with his full name), has a plan. He is annoying to the man he is supposed to protect, but he knows things. It was not as twisty as the others or even that unexpected. I still liked reading it to its inevitable conclusion.
Helen of Troy, N.Y. : On a sweltering hot day, a woman from his past comes to appeal to his finer sensibilities, and Jim Hanvey obliges. What happens next is also inevitable but was entertaining nonetheless.
Caveat Emptor: This starts off with a chance encounter and an unlikely governess. It leads the detective to help the people who he otherwise would be pitting his wits against. This adds to his colour and overall variety.
The Knight's Gambit: A villain has his claws into an innocent person, and Jim Hanvey might be the rescuer she never knew she needed. This was lighter in some ways than the rest but still fun to watch unfold.
Pink Bait: A man seems to be on an innocuous holiday, but he is scheming, and Jim Hanvey might just tip him into confessing. It is like a cat and mouse chase that does not take the usual route.
I read this book a while ago, and it took me a while to get through. It is only on this individual introspection that I realise that I actually enjoyed the change of pace and characters in this story. The 'ugliness' of our lead character was a little repetitive, but since the individual stories are not connected, some things bore repeating. Funnily enough, even after all this, I could not readily admit to knowing the mind of Jim Hanvey. He does not reveal much, even at the end. He shows one side of his personality and quietly moves on. I might read another collection if I get the chance.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
This book has the additional component of providing context to the more obscure usages and terminologies towards the end. This is not something I usually appreciate, but it added something to the narrative in this case.
It is a small collection of seven short stories.
The first: 'Fish Eyes', it was pretty entertaining. Jim Hanvey is but a spectre in the background and does not actually do much to the story. A bank robbery was meticulously planned, but once Jim Hanvey comes into the scene, he solves the issue without even trying. Given the turn the narrative takes, it should have been annoying, but it was surprisingly not.
Homespun Silk: This story was also along the same line, with the crime being laid out front and centre and then Jim Hanvey does some meddling. In this case, this unlikely and strange-looking detective does a pretty great job of wrapping things up. He proves his statement at the beginning, where he claims to be doing well workwise.
Common Stock: This was another case where Jim Hanvey (it makes sense to always refer to him with his full name), has a plan. He is annoying to the man he is supposed to protect, but he knows things. It was not as twisty as the others or even that unexpected. I still liked reading it to its inevitable conclusion.
Helen of Troy, N.Y. : On a sweltering hot day, a woman from his past comes to appeal to his finer sensibilities, and Jim Hanvey obliges. What happens next is also inevitable but was entertaining nonetheless.
Caveat Emptor: This starts off with a chance encounter and an unlikely governess. It leads the detective to help the people who he otherwise would be pitting his wits against. This adds to his colour and overall variety.
The Knight's Gambit: A villain has his claws into an innocent person, and Jim Hanvey might be the rescuer she never knew she needed. This was lighter in some ways than the rest but still fun to watch unfold.
Pink Bait: A man seems to be on an innocuous holiday, but he is scheming, and Jim Hanvey might just tip him into confessing. It is like a cat and mouse chase that does not take the usual route.
I read this book a while ago, and it took me a while to get through. It is only on this individual introspection that I realise that I actually enjoyed the change of pace and characters in this story. The 'ugliness' of our lead character was a little repetitive, but since the individual stories are not connected, some things bore repeating. Funnily enough, even after all this, I could not readily admit to knowing the mind of Jim Hanvey. He does not reveal much, even at the end. He shows one side of his personality and quietly moves on. I might read another collection if I get the chance.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
August 11, 2021
A collection of seven short detective stories centering on a deceptively sharp detective, Jim Hanvey.
The stories themselves are fine, with good pacing and a neat twist at the end of each one. Unfortunately, the prose and characterization struck me as too flat for my own enjoyment. If you like detective novels more focused on the puzzle than the detective, you might pick this collection up.
Recommended for anyone who likes puzzle- and trick-based mysteries, especially if they're looking for American fiction from the 20s.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen and Netgalley for sending me a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The stories themselves are fine, with good pacing and a neat twist at the end of each one. Unfortunately, the prose and characterization struck me as too flat for my own enjoyment. If you like detective novels more focused on the puzzle than the detective, you might pick this collection up.
Recommended for anyone who likes puzzle- and trick-based mysteries, especially if they're looking for American fiction from the 20s.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen and Netgalley for sending me a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2022
I think I can confidently say that you have never read mystery short stories like these. The stories feature a detective who has a true liking and compassion for crooks, is physically unattractive, and is much loved by most of the people around him. He is the exact opposite of most detective heroes, even those of his day. The stories were written in the 1920s, and it’s really neat to see how the language flowed and how things were done back then.
August 10, 2021
The seven stories here are edited, introduced and annotated by Leslie S Klinger from the first edition of 1923.
As the editor observes in the Introduction, there are no murders in these tales which often involve the astute and amiable Jim Hanvey in his role as an insurance investigator. Most of the crimes are financial and involve the defrauding of institutions or wealthy individuals. The criminals are as far removed from 1920s gangsters as one could imagine. Nor is there much by way of “traditional” detection.
Hanvey has a vast knowledge of criminals and their psychology. He does a lot of observing, both visual and verbal, and his modus operandi involves making the guilty feel so uncomfortable that they believe he knows more than he does, and so end up giving themselves away.
I very much enjoyed the collection, my only previous encounter with Hanvey being through watching the 1937 film “Jim Hanvey, Detective ”.
My main advice would be not to read these all at once as there is a sameness about them which makes it relatively easy to predict the outcome. They are gently amusing and certainly very different to any other detective short stories I have encountered. I would gladly read another collection.
For this British reader, and, I would imagine for many, even from the USA, Leslie S Klinger’s notes were essential, and are to be commended for their thoroughness.
Very recommendable.
Thank you to NetGalley, and to Poisoned Pen Press for granting my wish, for the digital review copy.
As the editor observes in the Introduction, there are no murders in these tales which often involve the astute and amiable Jim Hanvey in his role as an insurance investigator. Most of the crimes are financial and involve the defrauding of institutions or wealthy individuals. The criminals are as far removed from 1920s gangsters as one could imagine. Nor is there much by way of “traditional” detection.
Hanvey has a vast knowledge of criminals and their psychology. He does a lot of observing, both visual and verbal, and his modus operandi involves making the guilty feel so uncomfortable that they believe he knows more than he does, and so end up giving themselves away.
I very much enjoyed the collection, my only previous encounter with Hanvey being through watching the 1937 film “Jim Hanvey, Detective ”.
My main advice would be not to read these all at once as there is a sameness about them which makes it relatively easy to predict the outcome. They are gently amusing and certainly very different to any other detective short stories I have encountered. I would gladly read another collection.
For this British reader, and, I would imagine for many, even from the USA, Leslie S Klinger’s notes were essential, and are to be commended for their thoroughness.
Very recommendable.
Thank you to NetGalley, and to Poisoned Pen Press for granting my wish, for the digital review copy.
February 27, 2022
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Jim Hanvey, Detective is an engaging collection of early detective fiction by Octavus Roy Cohen which is also the first entry in the Library of Congress Crime Classics. Originally published 1922-1923, it contains 7 self contained stories, additional material, and commentary. This edition was released 10th Aug 2021 by Poison Pen Press. It's 256 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a lighter version of the typical solo investigator detective fiction of the period. In a lot of ways, Cohen's detective reminds me of Peter Falk's Columbo; he's a slow speaking, bumbling guy, with an apparently dull intellect which he uses to disarm and catch out wrongdoers. He loves sappy romance films (and cries in the theater at the sad bits), smokes horrible stinky cigars, and associates with known criminals for information gathering purposes.
The language is a bit dated and the dialogue can be a bit stilted in places; it's definitely a product of the time period. That being said however, these are well constructed and entertaining mysteries and are entertaining in their own right as well as being important in historical context.
The book includes a fair bit of additional background information including a short bio of the author and his place in contemporary American crime fiction. The editors/publishers have included book club discussion question prompts and a short bibliography for further reading.
Four stars. It's nice to see lesser known gems from 19th and 20th century crime fiction being released to a new generation of readers. Despite having read the genre and period extensively, Cohen was an author previously unfamiliar to me.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Jim Hanvey, Detective is an engaging collection of early detective fiction by Octavus Roy Cohen which is also the first entry in the Library of Congress Crime Classics. Originally published 1922-1923, it contains 7 self contained stories, additional material, and commentary. This edition was released 10th Aug 2021 by Poison Pen Press. It's 256 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a lighter version of the typical solo investigator detective fiction of the period. In a lot of ways, Cohen's detective reminds me of Peter Falk's Columbo; he's a slow speaking, bumbling guy, with an apparently dull intellect which he uses to disarm and catch out wrongdoers. He loves sappy romance films (and cries in the theater at the sad bits), smokes horrible stinky cigars, and associates with known criminals for information gathering purposes.
The language is a bit dated and the dialogue can be a bit stilted in places; it's definitely a product of the time period. That being said however, these are well constructed and entertaining mysteries and are entertaining in their own right as well as being important in historical context.
The book includes a fair bit of additional background information including a short bio of the author and his place in contemporary American crime fiction. The editors/publishers have included book club discussion question prompts and a short bibliography for further reading.
Four stars. It's nice to see lesser known gems from 19th and 20th century crime fiction being released to a new generation of readers. Despite having read the genre and period extensively, Cohen was an author previously unfamiliar to me.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
July 11, 2021
Detective fiction in this era is such a pleasure to read. Though ideas and words can be dated, the reader must take the age in which it is written into account and enjoy it for what it is...entertainment. This collection of short detective stories first published in 1923 features Jim Hanvey whose detection skills are unsurpassable, his demeanour and countenance unexpected! Though I've read many hundreds of crime novels of this vintage, I hadn't heard of this prolific author before. What a shame as Cohen's writing is amusing, witty and just plain fun. Adding a few new words (to me) to my vocabulary such as "gelid", "incarnadined" and "brummagem" was enjoyable.
Jim Hanvey's visage is very...er...original and witty. For example, "...he didn't blink, he yawned with his eyelids". And from his own mouth, "Far as her appearance is concerned--she ain't got any. She's sort of the same upholstery style that I am." He is self deprecating though is aware of his clever powers of observation. He is jolly yet intimidates the guilty in his unique way.
My favourite story of the seven is the first in the book but I enjoyed others, including the story featuring the bragging little girl and her father. In Fish Eyes the tension and suspense are fabulous and kept me absolutely riveted with tiny beads of sweat forming on my forehead. Well, almost!
My sincere thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this fascinating book. As is written in the foreword, we learn so much about the culture in eras not our own. I recommend this book to all Golden Age readers in particular but also to those seeking to discover lesser-known authors. Kudos to Poisoned Pen Press for re-publishing this gem.
Jim Hanvey's visage is very...er...original and witty. For example, "...he didn't blink, he yawned with his eyelids". And from his own mouth, "Far as her appearance is concerned--she ain't got any. She's sort of the same upholstery style that I am." He is self deprecating though is aware of his clever powers of observation. He is jolly yet intimidates the guilty in his unique way.
My favourite story of the seven is the first in the book but I enjoyed others, including the story featuring the bragging little girl and her father. In Fish Eyes the tension and suspense are fabulous and kept me absolutely riveted with tiny beads of sweat forming on my forehead. Well, almost!
My sincere thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this fascinating book. As is written in the foreword, we learn so much about the culture in eras not our own. I recommend this book to all Golden Age readers in particular but also to those seeking to discover lesser-known authors. Kudos to Poisoned Pen Press for re-publishing this gem.
April 2, 2023
What an absolute joy ride. I've found that I really love classic mysteries, especially short stories, and this was no different. Hanvey is such a fun and unique character that was incredibly refreshing. The stories were incredibly fun and there was some unique takes on the mysteries as well. Half the time as the reader you had no idea what Hanvey was up to but that made you more invested in the outcome. I've heard Cohen's other works aren't as good and have some blatant racism, but none of that appeared here. Definitely worth checking this out if you're a fan of the golden age of mysteries.
Quick hits:
+ Hanvey is such a unique and interesting character. He's much different than most detectives.
+ The mysteries are mostly unique and they're a bit different than the usual. I was invested in every one and I really was interested in where they were going to go.
+ The characters were unique too. Like the classics the bad guys or thieves weren't necessarily bad. There was respect between Hanvey and the culprit which made for a unique dynamic.
This one was relatively short, with about 8 mysteries. But I thoroughly enjoyed every one. I'm looking forward to checking out more classics and checking out some of the Hanvey novels. I would highly recommend to mystery fans. This one had me laughing, invested in the stories and enjoying the characters.
Quick hits:
+ Hanvey is such a unique and interesting character. He's much different than most detectives.
+ The mysteries are mostly unique and they're a bit different than the usual. I was invested in every one and I really was interested in where they were going to go.
+ The characters were unique too. Like the classics the bad guys or thieves weren't necessarily bad. There was respect between Hanvey and the culprit which made for a unique dynamic.
This one was relatively short, with about 8 mysteries. But I thoroughly enjoyed every one. I'm looking forward to checking out more classics and checking out some of the Hanvey novels. I would highly recommend to mystery fans. This one had me laughing, invested in the stories and enjoying the characters.
January 31, 2022
Jim Hanvey is a great big lummox of a man, a perpetual sadsack whose resting face is the vacant expression of a cow. He's short, fat, and ugly, with big gray fish-like eyes that blink so slowly they seem to yawn. And yet behind this idiot façade is a keen detective mind, one who plays the game of psychological warfare with the best of 'em. He is feared and respected by the 'higher' class of criminal, the gentleman con artists, because he plays fair and because he can trap them with their own words.
This was an interesting group of stories, originally published in 1922-23. Hanvey is sort of the anti-Poirot, but when he's more than a mere background player, it's interesting to watch him go head-to-head against the best confidence men (and women) in the game. In this set of stories he foils a stock charade, a wedding, a robbery, and several instances of selling of stolen items.
This was an interesting group of stories, originally published in 1922-23. Hanvey is sort of the anti-Poirot, but when he's more than a mere background player, it's interesting to watch him go head-to-head against the best confidence men (and women) in the game. In this set of stories he foils a stock charade, a wedding, a robbery, and several instances of selling of stolen items.
June 18, 2022
This is my second time reading one of The Library of Congress Crime Classics and I loved it even more than the last one (The Conjure-Man Dies). Each of the crime classics are well-formatted with interested footnotes and lots of information for historical context.
I found Jim Hanvey to be an awesome protagonist. A forebear to Columbo is many ways, Jim is a heavyset, disheveled and somewhat misshapen man who disarms (and sometimes unnerves) criminals with his chummy, somewhat lackadaisical attitude. Of course, Jim often knows more than he's letting on, and much like Columbo, the fun is often seeing how he exposes the culprit. Best of all, since this is a collection of short story, it was something I felt equally at ease "binging".
I'm look forward to reading more these crime classics, and I think I might even try to track down more of Hanvey's stories in the future.
I found Jim Hanvey to be an awesome protagonist. A forebear to Columbo is many ways, Jim is a heavyset, disheveled and somewhat misshapen man who disarms (and sometimes unnerves) criminals with his chummy, somewhat lackadaisical attitude. Of course, Jim often knows more than he's letting on, and much like Columbo, the fun is often seeing how he exposes the culprit. Best of all, since this is a collection of short story, it was something I felt equally at ease "binging".
I'm look forward to reading more these crime classics, and I think I might even try to track down more of Hanvey's stories in the future.
August 26, 2021
Completely not what I anticipated and a treat of sorts - think Continental Op but deeply, deeply unsexy - the crimes are purposefully pedestrian a tad grubby and Jim Hanvey is like a human toad person? Given the nature of the insurance detective's work we are treated to more of a character study in each short story than straight up detecting. Given the melancholia and the general bleakness that, to me, permeates this collection it's not one that I would recommend finishing in a few sittings; parse it out here and there, both to enjoy the writing but also to sort of mitigate the gloom. It's a recommend but an acquired taste.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2021
The stories in this book were engaging and fun! I love the old detective mysteries, despite the non-political correctness included in some. It does give you a fair look at the norms of the period. Jim Hanvey is the Columbo of his time-though Hanvey is more of an investigator-for-hire. He's unconventional, none too good looking, and misses nothing, but at the same time he manages to remain on good terms with those he has caught (and those he hopes to catch). Above all, he is honest...even with his adversaries. The historical context and commentary provided in this collection was extremely interesting. Footnotes were included for the more obscure terms and phrases used in the stories. Recommended for detective mystery fans.
May 13, 2021
A delightful collection of stories originally published during the Roaring Twenties where we are invited to joyfully follow the sleuthing adventures of a bigger than life private investigator gravitating around a highly entertaining criminal world full of colorful characters, physical slapstick & lots of verbal pyrotechnics.
A genial Depression Era discovery & a wonderful treasure trove of dated expressions and delicious vocabulary. A marvellous and unforgettable fictional tapestry of American life during the twenties.
Highly recommend and to be enjoyed without moderation👍👍
Many thanks to Netgalley Poisoned Pen & the Library of Congress for this terrific ARC
A genial Depression Era discovery & a wonderful treasure trove of dated expressions and delicious vocabulary. A marvellous and unforgettable fictional tapestry of American life during the twenties.
Highly recommend and to be enjoyed without moderation👍👍
Many thanks to Netgalley Poisoned Pen & the Library of Congress for this terrific ARC
April 9, 2020
Mostly enjoyable collection of short mystery stories from the early 1920s. Instead of classic "whodunit" set ups, the criminal is known very early on. The thrill is in how the main detective, Jim Hanvey, will figure out the scam and stop the perpetrators from getting away. There is a lot of slang from the 1920s, and a few objectionable phrasings to modern ears (calling women "frails" for one). But otherwise these tales are relatively fun.
November 15, 2021
The stories themselves were clever, with some cool twists of irony and very understated outwitting of bad guys, which I very much appreciated. But I think the laconic persona of the main character (as another reviewer so perfectly identifies, Columbo mixed with Damon Runyon, but sadly without the snappiness of Runyon) kind of spills over into the writing and pacing, making the stories more plodding and dull than they really are or deserve to be.
April 1, 2022
This book is a bit different than you usual mystery book. It is different in the fact that the reader knows who the culprit is, and the story in turned around to see how the detective catches the culprit. The book is a series of short stories, and is very easy to read and enjoy. The characters are well drawn and I must admit, sometimes one feels on the side of the culprit, and this is due to the way the story evolves .
Reminds me much in the vein of the series of Colombo, but gentler.
Reminds me much in the vein of the series of Colombo, but gentler.
July 12, 2022
The stories themselves were interesting enough, mostly inverted style (where you know who did what and are just waiting to see how the detective catches the crook out). I can definitely see some possible inspiration for Columbo!
The really outstanding part of this particular edition of this book is the annotation. It doesn't steal attention from the story, is unobtrusive, and pops up just where you need it to. Well done!
The really outstanding part of this particular edition of this book is the annotation. It doesn't steal attention from the story, is unobtrusive, and pops up just where you need it to. Well done!
May 19, 2024
This totally delightful book encompasses so many of the reasons I love books. It is a gift from a special friend at the Library of Congress, a friend who know well my passion for the written word. It arrived the day before Mother’s Day along with three other volumes from the Library’s Crime Classics series. It took me back to the 1920’s when it was wit not guns that solved crimes.
The cherry on the cake was I discovered I DO like short stories!
The cherry on the cake was I discovered I DO like short stories!
September 8, 2023
Interesting mostly from a historical perspective. I read a nice Library of Congress edition that offered footnotes on the many archaic words and references. Entertaining enough but I don't want to read more of the Jim Hanvey stories.
Want to read
March 25, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
February 20, 2022
Having seen both Jim Hanvey movies and read this collection I can safely say that for me Hanvey is a nonstarter as a character.
March 21, 2022
Delightful!
January 6, 2026
2.5, really. Nothing special, repulsive protagonist.
August 7, 2021
Originally these well crafted short stories were published in the popular magazine Saturday Evening Post in the 1920s and have been residing in the Library of Congress until recently. This small collection has been given a great editing which explains the current value of any monies included, gives things like *had a watch chain like a hawser* an explanation, and who knew that what we know as a gas pedal today was a hand throttle then? The detective is really something else! To the eye, he is oddly sized and kind of irritating but he can out-Sherlock anyone with dogged patience and acute logic. He looks slow-witted, and especially outwits criminals who underestimate him and overestimate themselves. Classics indeed! Super reads!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
December 17, 2021
“Jim Hanvey, Detective” by Octavus Roy Cohen: What a fun collection! First published in the 1920s and originally appearing in the Saturday Evening Post, Jim Hanvey is a detective out to catch the scammers and conmen who prey on the innocent. We are introduced to the criminal at the start of the story, we see how he sets up his victim and what he will attempt to pull. And then we see Jim Hanvey enter the scene.
Jim Hanvey is not your typical private detective. He is overweight, he waddles around, he blinks like some sort of fish, he plays with a gold toothpick that he wears on a chain around his waist. But what he has is a great memory for faces, a sharp mind, and a sense of fair play that makes him very well respected (and feared) by the higher level of criminals. Once he enters the story, we see the swindle begin to unravel – sometimes because of Hanvey, sometimes because the mere presence of Hanvey upsets the criminal to such an extent that he does himself in.
All seven stories are enjoyable, nothing violent, it is fun watching Hanvey mess up the best laid plans. In one of the stories, he even goes out of his way to help pull a con on a criminal, a change of pace for him.
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
Jim Hanvey is not your typical private detective. He is overweight, he waddles around, he blinks like some sort of fish, he plays with a gold toothpick that he wears on a chain around his waist. But what he has is a great memory for faces, a sharp mind, and a sense of fair play that makes him very well respected (and feared) by the higher level of criminals. Once he enters the story, we see the swindle begin to unravel – sometimes because of Hanvey, sometimes because the mere presence of Hanvey upsets the criminal to such an extent that he does himself in.
All seven stories are enjoyable, nothing violent, it is fun watching Hanvey mess up the best laid plans. In one of the stories, he even goes out of his way to help pull a con on a criminal, a change of pace for him.
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
Want to read
February 17, 2019Synopsis: a collection of seven stories from the Saturday Evening Post including: Fish Eyes, Homespun Silk, and Helen of Troy.
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