Steve Barge, who has written the introduction for Dean Street Press for this book and other Brian Flynn titles, blogs as "Puzzle Doctor" at the In Search of the Classic Mystery blog, which you'll find in my blogroll on the lower right hand column on this page. If you don't already read PD on a regular basis - well, you should, that's all. https://classicmystery.blog/ . I recommend him very highly!

Constant Suicides and Crooked Hinge were both published in the US by the Rue Morgue Press, now sadly out of business. Most of the really good ones still are awaiting their turn. I've always assumed it was a rights problem. I certainly hope it gets cleared up!

I keep hearing rumblings about more of Carr's work (as both Carr and Dickson) being due for re-publication, Colin. I certainly hope that's true. Too many of the best titles have been completely unavailable for a long while. Let's hope it happens soon.

I agree, Colin, the Maigret books can indeed be more than a little dour. I like him best when he shows some basic feelings, as he does in this one, even if he doesn't always understand the source of those feelings.

I agree, Colin. The problem, I think, is that Christie really was trying to merge two dissimilar stories. I don't think she succeeded very well.

I think it's definitely worth rereading, Colin!

I would have to agree that the theatrical part of the mystery was more fun than the "scientific" investigations of Manson. But I thought there was enough balance there to make it worth reading, and I probably will try another of their books.

She certainly had a real talent for misdirection, didn't she, Colin? I do think it's one of her best.

It's been a few years since I read and reviewed "No Wind of Blame," but I did enjoy the book. It may be the funniest of Heyer's books. If you're still looking at some of her other titles, you might consider "Envious Casca" - again, as I recall, I liked that one a lot; it may be her best.

I'm glad you did enjoy it, Colin. I understand your feeling a bit let down by the ending - I felt an awful lot got thrown at us in the last few pages - but I did think the Wainwrights were an interesting lot of people.

Agreed, Colin. As a general rule, the novellas are written more tightly, there's no need to be padding out the story with extra deaths for example. But the real selling point for all the Nero Wolfe books is the whole 35th street group of characters. We keep going back to visit the brownstone and to catch up on the people who live or work there. I find re-reading these books to be as enjoyable as reading them for the first time.

Thank you for the catch, Jon. I can't believe I did that. It's a useful lesson to me about NOT trying to write and type on the morning after a too-large holiday weekend dinner the night before. In my own defense, at least I DID get the name right on the podcast version. And, yes, she is available on Kindle - that's the version I read as well. Again, thanks - I think I've corrected it now.

Oh, Gladys Mitchell is an acquired taste - no argument - but it's a taste I have found I can enjoy. My favorite (should you want to try her again) would be "A Hearse on May-Day," where the sharp contrasts between Mitchell's bizarre humor and some fairly horrifying scenes really do play well together.

I think you'd enjoy this one, Colin. I've read others of Blake's books and would recommend him as an author of unusually good plots in well-written books - probably not a surprise coming from a man who became the Poet Laureate of Britain. I haven't been to the Greek islands, but this book makes me realize some of what I missed. Have you read Gladys Mitchell's "Come Away Death" by the way? Mrs. Bradley meets the Mysteries at Eleusis...

Colin, I'm delighted to see Moyes's books coming back and made available to new readers. It's been a while since I read "Third Dog," but I remember it as being very well written, with good twists and a vaguely-recalled ending which left me cheering for the dog. I'll be reading more of hers, as the series re-appears.

I've heard a lot of people say they prefer Woman in White, Colin. It's been so long since I last read it, I'm not qualified to comment - looks like I should put that back on the To Be Read pile. Thanks.

As it happens, mystery historian Curtis Evans posted an interesting and quite relevant entry about Sgt. Beef (and Sgt. Cribb and others) on his blog, The Passing Tramp (at http://thepassingtramp.blogspot.com/2018/04/some-time-for-sergeants-consideration.html ). As always with his posts, it is well worth your reading time.

"The Murder of my Aunt" is due out in the States in September, and I'm looking forward to it - it seems to follow the same general pattern you mention. That's what I like best about Hull's books, and you're right - it's a great way to reveal a character's character, so to speak.

For more info day-of (such as, maybe, when will this be over) you can go to http://status.typepad.com

Yes, it was released in 1954, 14 years after the first book. As far as I can tell, these two were the only mysteries Shepherd ever wrote. I haven't read the sequel yet, but if it's anywhere close to the quality of the first book, I'll have to add it to my TBR pile - and soon.

I think it's a good mystery and one you might enjoy (though you may see through to the explanation of the impossibilities fairly early on). On the other hand, I'd have to disagree with you about The Nine Tailors, which has always been one of my favorites - but then, I enjoy the long (and, I think, beautifully written) passages on change-ringing. So you may want to take my suggestions with a grain of salt... ;-)

I think the Henry and Emmy Tibbett series is well worth owning, Graham. And I agree - this is a case where the whole appears to add up to more than just the sum of its parts. The main characters are likeable, Henry is refreshingly competent, and Emmy is much more than just a cookie-cutter type of character - she really does contribute a lot to keep the story moving. I'm glad you're enjoying them. As a general rule, I'd have to say the earlier books were the best in the series, although there's no need to read the books strictly in order.

Yes, there are copies around, Shay. I hope you enjoy the stories if/when you read them.

For another viewpoint, here's what Puzzle Doctor had to say on his fine blog, "In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel." https://classicmystery.wordpress.com/2017/09/17/verdict-of-twelve-by-raymond-postgate/#more-7751

I'm glad we agree on this one, Yvette. I must admit I prefer the stories in which Troy takes an active role, even though her husband hates it. And I agree about "Spinsters in Jeopardy," which is definitely due for a re-read and write-up on my part.