The Club of Masks

by Allen Upward

The young Dr. Cassilis, assistant to that imminent pathologist and specialists on poisons, Sir Frank Tarleton, has a secret to hide and a young lady in jeopardy to protect. All of which he must hide from his intelligent and alert employer as they investigate their latest case.

Early one morning, Dr. Cassilis takes a call from the authorities asking for Tarleton to come to The Domino club, a shady nightclub where the patrons carouse while their identities are hidden by masks and costumes. A man has been murdered, and the authorities are concerned it was an attempt on a visiting prince attending the club and want the murder hushed quickly. But, as Tarleton and his young assistant Dr. Cassilis investigate, it quickly becomes clear that the victim, a 'doctor' has been using the club as a front for blackmail.

Published in Britain as The Domino Club

Genres: Mystery

311 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1926

About the author

Allen Upward was a Dublin-born poet, lawyer, politician, teacher and writer.

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Allen Upward’s final book, first published in the year of his suicide, 1926, is an oddity.

It is narrated by Dr Cassilis , assistant to Sir Frank Tarleton, expert in poisons and medical adviser to the Home Office,and deals with their investigation of the murder of a doctor at an odd private club.

The writing is Edwardian, if not Victorian, in tone and the plot is mildly ludicrous, more a sensation and romance novel than a detective story. I came to it having listened to the author’s occult detective stories which were quite interesting. I found this less so. It is too long and the convoluted style rapidly became wearing.

[Qukajs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sherlock Holmes x Lalka

[Chriss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book at a barn sale. It was really good. If you want to dig up one of the shinning gems among the early detective novel...

[ola · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5