Crime of the Fictional Variety

The Malinsay Massacre – A Murder Mystery Dennis Wheatley

Originally published in 1936 – this is a faithful 1980’s reproduction of this unique work by Dennis Wheatley.

Murder after murder amongst the aristocracy of lonely Scottish island has everyone baffled.

Here we have all the clues laid out in front of us in the form of a the law enforcement case file with original letters, notes, plans, photographs and even the arsenic tablet (from which the poison has been extracted to save you from harm, etc etc – it is guaranteed to leave you scratching your head until the end. A little bit of age but nothing to spoil the fun or intrigue.

Nothing on google will assist you in working this one out – the sealed section with the solution is unbroken – don’t peak!.

$80.00

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The Foundation Trilogy [Foundation: Foundation and Empire: Second Foundation] and then The Stars, Like Dust; The Naked sun; I Robot – Complete & Unabridged – Isaac Asimov

A monster collection including Isaac Asimov’s greatest work the Foundation Trilogy and more all in one place.

This is a Book Club edition in association with the principal’s Heinemann, Secker and Octopus Book. Issued in 1982. Extra thick octavo, 863 pages. A very slight even tone to the pages due to the nature of the paper very clean throughout – an unread copy we suspect. Binding and dust wrapper very good. Too heavy for overseas without a postage supplement.

Asimov won the Hugo Award for BEST ALL Time Science Fiction Series with the trilogy … the Galactic empire crumbles but one man creates a new force for civilised life … it gets complicated.

And at the very end I, Robot … given the explosion of AI makes this a must read or a read again.

Asimov – his best stuff – will keep you going through the winter.

$50.00

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My Life as a Fake – Peter Carey – First edition

Peter Carey had already won the Booker Prize twice, and other literary awards before he released “My Life as A Fake”.

Published by Knopf, Sydney in 2003. A first edition in great condition. Octavo, 280 pages, rough cut edges (trendy) as published. Unusual endpapers one half Kuala Lumpur image [as with the dust jacket] other stark pink.

Whilst given an international mystic flavour this book is partly based on the real life faking of the poet Ern Malley by the promotors of the superb Angry Penguins. Not only was the poet Ern Malley a fake he was also considered a bit rude which got the inventors into a little bit of trouble and consequently financial difficulty.

Back to Carey and we have the works of Bob McCorkie entirely the invention of Christopher Chubb who wants to teach the pretentious a lesson. There is a twist though and it has something to do with the phrase Voyager has some difficulty truly understanding … “be careful what you wish for”. When we say twist – it is Peter Carey so more to it that that.

Peter Carey First edition – maybe our favourite.

$60.00

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Crime Fiction 1749-1980 – A Comprehensive Bibliography – Plus 1981-1985 Supplement – Allen J. Hubin

Bibliographies in print; so much easier and fuller in satisfaction than online look-up – the latter’s ease offset by growing unreliability. There is a saying in the trade – if its Crime it has to be Hubin.

Two solid volumes only really suitable for domestic purchase. Original editions in their expected green cloth covered bindings – title in gilt to front and spine. I trifle aged in the end papers otherwise a nice set.

Suggestion for the dullest party game of all time – “think of a crime novel not in Hubin” … can last for hours.

Voyager thought he had all the Simenon Maigret in his collection – not so – 126 different issues recorded – [not sure of the duplicates – not as many as you think] – so we are not even half way there!

Hubin – essential reference for all crime story devotees .

$80.00

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The Lake Frome Monster – Arthur Upfield – First edition

A first edition of Arthur Upfield’s last novel. Incomplete at his death it was crafted into publication by J L Price and Dorothy Strange.

Published by Heinemann, London in 1966.

Octavo, 184 pages, all in pretty good condition. Edges a little aged, the strikingly scary jacket with some creases but as good as they come if you can find one.

The last Napoleon Bonaparte novel (obviously). Lake Frome is in South Australia, it’s large but rarely fills with water. A roving photographer is found dead … the monster?

Bony sets about resolving the unusual murder disguised as workman tending the very long dog-proof fence. His life is in danger … but our Bony is no coward!

Bony … out in the dirt solving the weirdest of murders.

$70.00

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Madman’s Bend – Arthur Upfield – First Edition 1963

A very good copy of the first edition of the last completed novel of Australian writer Arthur Upfield.

Aurthur William Upfield (1890-1964) was born in England and came to Australia and made it his home in 1911. He served in WWI, carried out a number of inland excursions in Australia and became familiar with the bush and indigenous Australians. He wrote many novels and is famous particularly for his crime series featuring Detective Inspector Napoleon “Bony” Bonaparte of the Queensland Police Force, a mixed race indigenous Australian. This his last book in the series is set along the Darling River in NSW.

Published by Heinemann, London in 1963. Octavo, 232 pages, a little age along the top edge, but really as good a copy. Very clean internally. Solid jacket

One of “Bony’s” toughest mysteries. William Lush, sheep station owner and drunk beats his wife and goes to town in search of more grog. Returning he runs out of fuel and walks the remainder of the way home where he finds the door barred by his daughter who fires as shot from the other side. Lush disappears and his wife dies from her injuries … Bony is confronted with a dilemma is he searching for a murderer or a victim .. it all gets quite complicated.

Collectable and final Arthur Upfield Mystery

$70.00

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The Malinsay Massacre – A Murder Mystery Dennis Wheatley

The Foundation Trilogy [Foundation: Foundation and Empire: Second Foundation] and then The Stars, Like Dust; The Naked sun; I Robot – Complete & Unabridged – Isaac Asimov

My Life as a Fake – Peter Carey – First edition

Crime Fiction 1749-1980 – A Comprehensive Bibliography – Plus 1981-1985 Supplement – Allen J. Hubin

The Lake Frome Monster – Arthur Upfield – First edition

Madman’s Bend – Arthur Upfield – First Edition 1963

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