The Man Without a Head

by Walter S. Masterman, Gavin L. O'Keefe (Introduction)

Derrick Gray is heir to the Manor House estate, but he is an unhappy man; having served in the First World War, he has tried in vain to stem the tide of debt his property has entailed, and when the Second World War breaks out his application to again serve his country is rejected. Vernon, a financier living with his daughter Maisie on a house on Gray’s estate, begins to gamble habitually with Gray in the hope of winning Manor House. When Vernon’s luck fails him a drunken proposal is a final roll of the dice will determine whether Vernon wins Gray’s property, or whether Maisie Vernon becomes Gray’s ward.Gray wins. Shortly afterwards Vernon is found dead in his house, shot through the head—apparently a suicide. Other people appear on the scene to offer condolences or claim monies owed. And then, to complicate matters, Derrick and Maisie visit a house in London and discover a headless body—shortly before the house is destroyed in a bombing raid. In his final case, Sir Arthur Sinclair must pull out all stops to solve this most peculiar mystery.Originally published in England in 1942, 'The Man Without a Head' was Walter S. Masterman’s last published novel. As a result of war-time restrictions the book subsequently became rare. Ramble House is proud to make this novel available again for modern readers.

232 pages, Paperback

Published May 26, 2019