The Death Miser

Department Z #1

by John Creasey

Millions of lives are at stake if a sinister international conspiracy succeeds. It's down to England’s elite detective agency, Department Z, to make sure that doesn’t happen.


They’ve got to keep things quiet, too. Discretion is something that the Honourable James Quinion knows only too well – it’s all part and parcel of being a member of the Secret Service.


Department Z is described as ‘a home for bachelors with a suicidal turn of mind…’ Its agents ready themselves for this high-profile, high-danger job. Quinion will find himself right in the firing line and in personal danger – how will he keep the conspiracy under control and under wraps?

Genres: Thriller, Espionage, Fiction

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1933

About the author

AKA Gordon Ashe, M E Cooke, Norman Deane, Robert Caine Frazer, Patrick Gill, Michael Halliday, Charles Hogarth, Brian Hope, Colin Hughes, Kyle Hunt, Margaret Lisle, Abel Mann, Peter Manton, J.J. Marric, Richard Martin, Rodney Mattheson, Anthony Morton, Jeremy York, Henry St. John Cooper and Margaret Cooke.

John Creasey (September 17, 1908 - June 9, 1973) was born in Southfields, Surrey, England and died in New Hall, Bodenham, Salisbury Wiltshire, England. He was the seventh of nine children in a working class home. He became an English author of crime thrillers, published in excess of 600 books under 20+ different pseudonyms. He invented many famous characters who would appear in a whole series of novels. Probably the most famous of these is Gideon of Scotland Yard, the basis for the television program Gideon's Way but others include Department Z, Dr. Palfrey, The Toff, Inspector Roger West, and The Baron (which was also made into a television series). In 1962, Creasey won an Edgar Award for Best Novel, from the Mystery Writers of America, for Gideon's Fire, written under the pen name J. J. Marric. And in 1969 he was given the MWA's highest honor, the Grand Master Award.

Reviews

[Andrew Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced, rip-roaring adventure/thriller. From a quiet Sussex Downs village a James Bond type of Villain hatches a plan to bring down the world! I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to read more John Creasey!

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Those few who frequent my site Noirish will know that I have an affection for mediocre old crime B-movies, and the same extends, with provisos, to mediocre old crime fiction. Sometimes.

The foppish Hon. James Quinion has the ability, with the mere changing of a pair of pants, to slip into his alter ego as Jimmy Quinn, freewheeling crimefighter in the employ of Department Z, the secretest and action-packedest segment of the British Secret Service. Instructed to mount surveillance on a remote farmhouse, he falls into first an affair of the heart and then immediately an adventure that, should he fail, will see the world plunged into global war! Ranged against Jimmy and his chums -- some of the most powerful men in the world.

Who, when they hold business meetings to discuss progress on their evil schemings, wear death masks on their heads, because . . . er . . .

It's many years since last I read a Creasey, and I think my only (few) encounters were with his police procedurals, which are quite fun but a bit stodgy. The Department Z novels, though, are apparently intended as thrillers. While reading this one, my assumption was that Creasey was trying to emulate Edgar Wallace, but then I realized it wasn't Wallace's own prose works that I was being reminded of but the movies in that long krimi series, very, very loosely based on Wallace's thrillers, that the West Germans and Danes used to churn out, where the stories tend to make very little sense because the directors/screenwriters are so busy stuffing bizarre and grotesque visuals onto the screen, and equally bizarre twists into the plot, that logic floats out the window.

Those krimi are actually tremendous fun -- or at least one of us thinks so -- but the hilarious goofy charm doesn't seem to work so well on the page.

Okay, sometimes it does.

For example, the chief villain, the Death Miser of the title (although I've no idea why the "Miser" part is applicable), has the ability to change the color of his eyes, just like you might find in a krimi -- it's this weird drug he takes, you see. When I read at one point that his eyes had just turned amber and then red, rather than sit there transfixed by fear I started giggling, and it was fully a couple of minutes before I could resume reading.

Overall, the tale is what one might politely describe as balderdash. I assume that Creasey intended we should actually believe in the credibility of all the goings-on, but I'd be surprised if anyone over the age of about ten has ever in fact done so -- and it'd have to be a somewhat gullible ten-year-old.

Also interfering with the suspension of disbelief is Creasey's faith in having cliffhangers at the ends of chapters. The trouble is that he sometimes has difficulty following up on these. In one instance here, the resolution of the panic at the end of a chapter is an admission by one of the characters that he was playing a practical joke. (I use the word "character" a bit loosely. Characterization is not Creasey's strongest suit.) It's a revelation that falls flatter than your average pancake. Flatter than that, in fact.

Clumsily written and extraordinarily silly, with the kind of silliness that's most of the time only just this side of tiresome, any appeal The Death Miser might have lies primarily, I think, in the realm of nostalgia. Yes, we really did use to read this stuff.

[Bill · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Death Miser is the 1st book in English thriller / mystery writer John Creasey's Department Z series. I've been checking out the many series by Creasey over the past few years; enjoying Superintendent Gideon of Scotland Yard, the Toff, Dr. Palfrey and the Baron, to name a few. Creasey was prolific, writing over 600 novels during his lifetime. Yup... quite a few.

I won't say that The Death Miser was perfect. It reminded me of many book series I enjoyed as a youngster... heck, even as an adult; Doc Savage, Fu Manchu, James Bond. It's kind of a combination of them all... without the super-heroish aspects of Doc Savage and the mystical aspects of Fu Manchu. It also reminded me of those serials you used to get when you were a kid, at the Saturday matinee, the 15 minute short, ongoing adventure that would precede the main feature. Each episode would end with a cliff hanger. Ah, the things I enjoyed as a youngster that kids of today never get to experience. 😎

Anyway, I digress. So, a certain James Quinion, who is mostly referred to throughout this story as the Honorable James, also works for a mysterious organization within the British government, called Department Z. It's run by Gordon Craigie. He's considered a ne'er-do-well by his uncle, Colonel Dann, as a shiftless, wealthy gadabout who smokes, drinks and chases after women with his rich buddies. But in reality he takes on dangerous missions for Department Z, described by Craigie as 'a home for bachelors with a suicidal turn of mind'.

While visiting with his Aunt Gloria and Uncle Dann in the country, he gets a message from Craigie to 'Watch Thomas Loder Cross Farm near Runsey report daily and give names of visitors." With the help of some of his buddies and a stranger from Canada, the Man named Smith, a strange adventure begins. Quinion will be forced to battle an international organization bent on destroying the world, lead by a mysterious individual named the Death Miser. He will also fall for a beautiful, mysterious girl who may or may not be part of the organization and work to save her from the Miser.

It's all very confusing as the group works to stay alive and also battle this group. They are all jolly and energetic and quite invincible, both in spirit and body, even though they do suffer many bumps and bruises. It's a fantastic adventure, not without flaws, a bit out there but all in good fun. Mindless, somewhat, but entertaining. I've ordered #2 just to see how the stories improve, or not. My next effort will be to introduce myself to Creasey's Inspector West series. Woo hoo! (2.5 stars)

[Redqueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Department Z is described as ‘a home for bachelors with a suicidal turn of mind…'" This is a classic of thriller / espionage from the 30s. I'm a huge fan of the parents of modern styles & Creasey is a major player. If you liked James Bond (in the books) and Peter Wimsey, this falls somewhere in between. Upper class gentlemen secretly working for the government, evil conspiracies, secret passages & alluring women... what more could you require? Reissued as e-books, I am diving right in! This is the first of the series

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank the John Creasey Estate for a review copy of The Death Miser, the first novel in the Department Z series.

The Honourable James Quinion, apparent dandy and dilettante, is visiting his aunt when he receives orders from Department Z to keep an eye on nearby Cross Farm and its tenant Thomas Loder. Unfortunately things do not go according to plan and Quinion soon finds himself in real danger.

Originally published in 1932 the novel is full of Boys Own adventure, derring do and impeccable manners so, yes, it is dated but it's a rattling good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's mindless escapism and a fun read.

I used to read Mr Creasey's work as a teenager, although not Department Z, so it is interesting to visit a bygone age both personally and in the novel. The Death Miser is not a sophisticated novel and the premise is simple, the good guy has plenty of close shaves but gets the baddies and the girl. It is, however, well plotted and paced and full of tension as you wonder how he'll get out of difficult situations. It had me hooked from start to finish.

As befits the era characterisation is not one of its strong points, the goodies are courageous, patriotic and decent, the baddies are suitably depraved, greedy and power hungry. It didn't matter to me as plotting and action are the drivers in the novel.

The Death Miser is a simple, entertaining read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

[ShanDizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘I wish that there was a little more to go on in this business, Jimmy,’ said de Lorne, after a few minutes’ silence as they walked down the slope. ‘Men wander about with guns, people drink whisky and go deaf, Reggie Chane gets kidnapped, Oak Cottage gets burned, Buicks get smashed up on the road through going at suicidal speeds, Thomas Loder gets shot, the Café of Clouds gets raided, a young and beautiful maiden walks about, I’m told, in fear of her life, and all, if I believe all I hear, because you, Jimmy, have butted in on a little game.

Excerpt From: "Death Miser" by John Creasey. Scribd.
This material may be protected by copyright.

Read this book on Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/book/375730309

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved John Creasey as a youngster so now these are becoming available on kindle thought I would read again. I would have said timeless stories but in those times no mobile phones and no GPS etc. but this did not spoil the enjoyment.

[Kathy Davie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First in the Department Z vintage espionage thriller series set in 1930s England and revolving around a very effective British Intelligence service. The focus is on James Quinion and the duplicitous Margaret Alleyn. The Death Miser was first published in 1933.

My Take
When Creasey says “secret”, he means it. And Z agents aren’t the only secrets, for there are dual identities and criminals throughout.

The bad guys are smart in this one. Especially with that tricky drug that makes you deaf! They’re planning world domination through commodities.

This fast-paced story is full of secret rooms, macabre “warnings”, kidnappings, drugs, and more that trigger violent battles and terrifying scenes.

It’s impressive how easily Craigie can conjure up the men in an emergency!

Unfortunately, ya just can’t count on technology, no matter what decade you’re in.

And don’t forget to cherchez la femme!

The Story
Craigie gets wind of a sinister international conspiracy with millions of lives at stake if it succeeds.

James Quinion will find himself right in the line of fire—and in personal danger as he and his fellow agents investigate this brutal gang.

The Characters
The Honorable James “Jimmy” Quinion, alias James Quinn, is an agent, Number 7, in Department Z. Augustus Tally is Quinion’s valet.

Department Z is . . .
. . . formally known as British Intelligence, headquartered at Whitehall, and is headed up by Gordon Craigie, a.k.a. Z. His agents include Quinion, a society of youths, known as The New Squares, which include Reginald Chane and Peter de Lorne. I’m not sure how Felton fits in.

In Runsey, Sussex
Quinion is also nephew to the wheelchair-bound Lady Gloria of Runsey Hall. Colonel Cann, a.k.a. “Colonel Damn”, is Lady Gloria’s brother and companion who heartily disapproves of James and his easygoing lifestyle. Alice is a maid.

The Thomas Loder Cross Farm and its renter is under suspicion. Thomas Loder is also a friend to Alleyn. “Funny Face” and Chevvers are some of Loder's men.

The Death Miser, a.k.a. Spooks, is the leader of a World Council that includes the managing director of Tunn, Son . . . Co., one of the biggest financiers in London; Brundt, the leader of the West German left-wing opposition; Julian Hatterson, who is behind a huge combine of super-markets; Martin Asterling, who is a world famous film director; Simon Hessley, who has interests everywhere and a controlling hand in three big national newspapers; and, Kretterlin is a Soviet.

Peter is an Alastian belonging to Margaret Alleyn, a.k.a. Elise Farily and Gretta, who lives at Oak Cottage with her invalid father, Arnold Alleyn.

Another Thomas is the veterinarian in Runsey. The Tavern is a popular meeting place for “Quinn” and friends. Smith, a.k.a. Archie, used to own a huge ranch in Manitoba, Canada.

In London
The Café of Clouds is a club where the Queen of the Clouds sings. Percy is a cab driver.

The Cover and Title
The cover has a black background with three men is pale gray distressed profiles at the bottom. The middle figure has an orange target sighted on his head. At the top is the author’s name in orange with the title immediately below it in white. Under this is an info blurb in orange. In the top right corner is an angled stamped label in orange with the series info.

The title is too accurate for The Death Miser is not concerned with the death that his plans will deal out.

[Kelvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 1933 book by prolific English crime author John Creasey. Creasey is an extremely high output writer who used 28 different pseudonyms in his writing career and produced more than 600 books in multiple popular series such as Gideon, Department Z, and The Toff and The Baron. He is also the founder of the Crime Writers' Association in the United Kingdom, which he founded in 1953. The Death Miser is the first book in Creasey’s long running Department Z spy story series. The setting of the book is in early 1930s in England. Department Z is part of the War office and handles secret spy operations. I find the book very dated, melodramatic and full of old Victorian style sentimentalities. It has not aged well.

Spoiler Alert. The protagonist in this case is the Honorable James Quinion, He works for the British Secret Series and is identified as “No. 7” of Department Z. The title of the book “The Death Miser” refers to the leader of an international group of politicians, industrialists, and financiers who tried to coordinate a worldwide effort to engineer a world war for personal gains and profits. Quinion was first ordered by his boss, Gordon Craigie (Head of Department Z) to the Village of Runsey to keep watch of a suspicious character called Thomas Loder. There, Quinion met and fell in love with an attractive young woman called Margaret Alleyn. Margaret is the adopted daughter of Arnold Alleyn, a senior member of the Death Miser gang. What followed then was a lot of actions and plot twists. Quinion, with the help of his friends Reginald Chane and Peter de Lorne, infiltrated the Death Miser’s hideout at a nightclub called the Cafe of Clouds in London. Later, by disguising himself as a servant, Quinion was able to listen in to a secret meeting of the Death Miser’s gang and learnt details of their plan to cause a world war and to topple various governments. Quinion was able to pass the information to his boss, who then raided the Café of Clouds and arrested the gang members. The Death Miser (a man called Smith and is the brother of Alleyn) was killed by Quinion. In the end, Quinion married Margaret.

[Earl Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an antique of a spy novel...many levels and characters and loooong. Written in the 40s. I enjoyed the three I read in a one volume special and thought I would try more of Creasey's work but this one exhausted me. It is long and convoluted and a bit hard to suspend disbelief but I forged through it. I am pretty much done with reading "all" of the Z series mostly because they cost nine dollars each. I am pretty comfortable paying for my reading but this seems over the top.

[claudia ruddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun

I love John Creasey and have read many of his books. I didn't find department Z quite as appealing as the Toff but still quite good enough. The characters are endearing, the plot sound but I enjoy most the picture it paints of an unchangeable England in which lords and ladies perform deals of valor supported by ever suffering valets and Cockney cabmen.

[Lu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would rate this closer to a 4 - more like 3.75. The protagonist is likeable, believable and fun to root for. There is plenty of action, an interesting premise and plot with good sub characters. And with a very big twist at the end. It is the first of the Department Z series.

[Kally Sheng · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining enough

I wasn’t impressed with the story but it was interesting enough to plow through. If this is the Book 1, wonder how dreary the series would be.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

First Department Z book. The only recurring character is Gordon Craigie.

The first page introduces a young man visiting his invalid aunt and reminded me more of Georgette Heyer than of John Creasey, but the tone soon shifted. This is typical Dept Z: threats of world domination by unknown cartels, beautiful women who may or may not be what they seem, lots of guns and physical confrontations.

The above review was written in 2016. I actually bought the Kindle book for $1.99 in 2023 because I didn't remember ever having read it. Even while I was reading it this time nothing seemed familiar. I only realized I already had it when I came to Goodreads to post.

This seems like a prototype - there are plot points which are done again (and better) in later Department Z books.

[J Grimsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good thriller an easy read,