The Devil Drives

by Virgil Markham

Warden George Peters is almost too young to be warden of Franklin Penitentiary but he's been around the block a time or two. But when convict Frank Holburn asks a favor of him right before he is to be executed, the warden gets involved in a terrifying ordeal that will take him far away from the prison and into the mean streets where a badge means nothing. He's after a young woman who wrote love notes to the master criminal and holds the key to a secret that may blow the lid off of some serious careers, not to mention a treasure buried near a "doll-house" built for the girl. This 1932 novel will grab you from the first page and keep you gasping for breath. THE DEVIL DRIVES is the first of several Virgil Markham mysteries to be republished by Ramble house.

Genres: Mystery

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1932

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally published in 1932, this book packs it all in. It has a pulp paperback vibe to it and at least 3 plots that connect around a man on death row. The warden at that prison gets drawn into a bazaar search for a lost treasure that is triggered by a stash of intriguing letters between a very young teenager and her much older lover.

[James Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review -- https://jamesscottbyrnside.com/2025/1...

[Marc Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

To me this book was more gothic than mystery, though it is usually classified as such. As a collerctor of first edition mysteries from the 1930's I have the first edition dust jacket if some one can tell me how to post it I will. (Will add more to this review later.)