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Poison Unknown: A Golden Age Murder Mystery
"They represent an accumulation of knowledge about poisons it would be hard to find in a single building anywhere else..."
Professor Charles Roseland is the head of the Juliot Research Centre, a small chemical research institute for newly-qualified scientists. One Friday evening, Roseland leaves to attend a scientific gathering in London. On the following Monday, he is discovered dead in his laboratory at the Research Centre. Initially, it seems that Roseland died of a weak heart, but the local police soon uncover the presence of an ex-spy, and the possibilty that the professor was working on an experimental poison gas at the time of his death. It is up to Inspector McCleod of Scotland Yard to determine which of the professor's colleagues had the motive and opportunity to murder him. But when her fiance is suspected of the crime, Roseland's daughter takes her own steps to determine the identity of her father's killer...
Originally published in 1939 this is a vintage murder mystery from the golden age of crime fiction.
Professor Charles Roseland is the head of the Juliot Research Centre, a small chemical research institute for newly-qualified scientists. One Friday evening, Roseland leaves to attend a scientific gathering in London. On the following Monday, he is discovered dead in his laboratory at the Research Centre. Initially, it seems that Roseland died of a weak heart, but the local police soon uncover the presence of an ex-spy, and the possibilty that the professor was working on an experimental poison gas at the time of his death. It is up to Inspector McCleod of Scotland Yard to determine which of the professor's colleagues had the motive and opportunity to murder him. But when her fiance is suspected of the crime, Roseland's daughter takes her own steps to determine the identity of her father's killer...
Originally published in 1939 this is a vintage murder mystery from the golden age of crime fiction.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 11, 2022
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September 29, 2022
Although this is undoubtedly the best of the half dozen I have read out of Dalman's output of fifteen mystery novels , it also exemplifies some of the reasons why he remains obscure and in the GAD B-list.
There are two deaths which the local police, under Superintendent Carbis, and Scotland Yard, led by Inspector McCleod, are called upon to investigate at the Juliot Research Institute. The first, that of the Head of the Institute, the much disliked Charles Roseland, proves to be complex. This is not because of lack of clues, motives, or suspects but indeed because there are too many clues, and therefore plenty of suspects. It is only when a second murder us committed that the field is narrowed and, almost coincidentally, several people light upon the culprit and some parts of the solution.
As well as the professionals, two amateurs do some sleuthing. They are Sylvia Roseland, daughter of the murdered man, and Paul Danton, one of the research students.Despite the plethora of clues , I spotted the murderer just before halfway through, but the motive eluded me.
As in previous novels, Dalman has almost too many good ideas. Here we have scientific research involving various types of poison and gases, spies, professional jealousies and secrets. The police are meticulous and explore lots of theories at length. Unusually, the amateurs are equally thorough.
The writing is fairly good and the plotting is full of interest-almost too busy. The characterisation is clear, and there are some nice instances of humour. But it does plod a bit, and there is a lot of going over the same ground, which does hinder one's admiration of the clever touches, and which makes the novel fall just short of being very good.
It is, however, very recommendable and a steal at this price-Dalman's work is either pricey or unobtainable otherwise.
A solid four stars.
There are two deaths which the local police, under Superintendent Carbis, and Scotland Yard, led by Inspector McCleod, are called upon to investigate at the Juliot Research Institute. The first, that of the Head of the Institute, the much disliked Charles Roseland, proves to be complex. This is not because of lack of clues, motives, or suspects but indeed because there are too many clues, and therefore plenty of suspects. It is only when a second murder us committed that the field is narrowed and, almost coincidentally, several people light upon the culprit and some parts of the solution.
As well as the professionals, two amateurs do some sleuthing. They are Sylvia Roseland, daughter of the murdered man, and Paul Danton, one of the research students.Despite the plethora of clues , I spotted the murderer just before halfway through, but the motive eluded me.
As in previous novels, Dalman has almost too many good ideas. Here we have scientific research involving various types of poison and gases, spies, professional jealousies and secrets. The police are meticulous and explore lots of theories at length. Unusually, the amateurs are equally thorough.
The writing is fairly good and the plotting is full of interest-almost too busy. The characterisation is clear, and there are some nice instances of humour. But it does plod a bit, and there is a lot of going over the same ground, which does hinder one's admiration of the clever touches, and which makes the novel fall just short of being very good.
It is, however, very recommendable and a steal at this price-Dalman's work is either pricey or unobtainable otherwise.
A solid four stars.
Displaying 1 of 1 review