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Theodore I. Terhune #8
Work for the Hangman
“What I read in your hand is tragedy—a horrible tragedy that doesn’t come to one in a million people.”
Bookseller Theodore Terhune buys the substantial library of the recently deceased James Strudgewick, a wealthy Yorkshireman who fell and drowned at a local beauty spot. Though his death was deemed accidental by the coroner, the locals remain suspicious and dislike Strudgewick’s nephew and heir. But Ronald Strudgewick has a cast-iron alibi—he was 30 miles away visiting with friend Robert Shilling in Thirsk at the time of his uncle’s death, and the police have already picked over his movements. But Terhune and his friend Julia have met Shilling before, and know there is a mysterious accidental death in his past too…
Work for the Hangman is a classic blend of traditional detective novel with “how-to-catch-’em” mystery, and showcases Bruce Graeme’s use of local geography and small details to build an intriguing puzzle.
Bookseller Theodore Terhune buys the substantial library of the recently deceased James Strudgewick, a wealthy Yorkshireman who fell and drowned at a local beauty spot. Though his death was deemed accidental by the coroner, the locals remain suspicious and dislike Strudgewick’s nephew and heir. But Ronald Strudgewick has a cast-iron alibi—he was 30 miles away visiting with friend Robert Shilling in Thirsk at the time of his uncle’s death, and the police have already picked over his movements. But Terhune and his friend Julia have met Shilling before, and know there is a mysterious accidental death in his past too…
Work for the Hangman is a classic blend of traditional detective novel with “how-to-catch-’em” mystery, and showcases Bruce Graeme’s use of local geography and small details to build an intriguing puzzle.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1944
About the author
Bruce Graeme
126 books10 followersGraham Montague Jeffries aka David Graeme, Peter Bourne, Roderic Hastings, Fielding Hope, and Jeffrey Montague father of Roderic Jeffries
He is the creator of:
1. ‘Blackshirt (Richard Verrell)’, a gentleman crook.
2. ‘Auguste Jantry’, an Inspector in 19th century Paris.
3. ‘Robert Mather’, a Detective Sergeant.
4. ‘William Stevens and Pierre Allain’, a Detective Superintendent and an Inspector.
5. ‘Theodore I. Terhune’, a bookseller and amateur sleuth.
6. ‘Lord Blackshirt (Anthony Verrell)’, a gentleman crook and son of Richard Verrell.
In 1952 his son Roderic Jeffries started writing Blackshirt stories under the pseudonym ‘Roderic Graeme’.
He is the creator of:
1. ‘Blackshirt (Richard Verrell)’, a gentleman crook.
2. ‘Auguste Jantry’, an Inspector in 19th century Paris.
3. ‘Robert Mather’, a Detective Sergeant.
4. ‘William Stevens and Pierre Allain’, a Detective Superintendent and an Inspector.
5. ‘Theodore I. Terhune’, a bookseller and amateur sleuth.
6. ‘Lord Blackshirt (Anthony Verrell)’, a gentleman crook and son of Richard Verrell.
In 1952 his son Roderic Jeffries started writing Blackshirt stories under the pseudonym ‘Roderic Graeme’.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 19, 2022
I've been reading the Theodore Terhune books in order, and up till now I've enjoyed them all. This one, though... a too-obvious, cartoonish villain; a plot that starts with one crime, then moves to another, and never goes back to the first; and a frankly ridiculous ending.
October 28, 2021
Very Entertaining
Good unraveling of a clever plot. Really peeked my curiosity & kept my interest. That made it a good quick read.
Good unraveling of a clever plot. Really peeked my curiosity & kept my interest. That made it a good quick read.
March 1, 2022
For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
October 11, 2021
In some ways this seems the most conventional of the four Theodore I Terhune novels so far reissued by Moonstone Press. It also is less intricately involved with books and bookish clues than the first three. However, it benefits from having one of "Tommy's" women friends more closely involved in the investigation and, correspondingly, affords us more insight into his "relationship" with the deliciously acerbic Julia MacMunn.
The plot starts from Theodore's purchase of a private library in Yorkshire and suspicions cast on the circumstances of the death of its owner. This comes hard on the heels of a chance meeting in a South Coast hotel between Julia and Tommy, and Robert Shilling and his second wife. Julia's
detective interest is piqued by the encounter.
The two strands become entwined, and the story moves into inverted mode and more.
While this was all both fascinating and enjoyable, with alibis to bust and timings and timetabling to be explored, I though the ending was on the weak side, with shades of that hoary staple, the tricked confession.
Overall there is much here to delight the inveterate GAD reader. However, for me, it did not quite match the brilliant originality of A Case For Solomon.
The Introduction by John Norris is, again, thoughtful and informative.
Highly recommendable.
4.25 stars.
The plot starts from Theodore's purchase of a private library in Yorkshire and suspicions cast on the circumstances of the death of its owner. This comes hard on the heels of a chance meeting in a South Coast hotel between Julia and Tommy, and Robert Shilling and his second wife. Julia's
detective interest is piqued by the encounter.
The two strands become entwined, and the story moves into inverted mode and more.
While this was all both fascinating and enjoyable, with alibis to bust and timings and timetabling to be explored, I though the ending was on the weak side, with shades of that hoary staple, the tricked confession.
Overall there is much here to delight the inveterate GAD reader. However, for me, it did not quite match the brilliant originality of A Case For Solomon.
The Introduction by John Norris is, again, thoughtful and informative.
Highly recommendable.
4.25 stars.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews