A Case in Nullity

by Evelyn Berckman

A simple case of ill-will What does a women do- after eight months of marriage- if her husband has not yet touched her? Worse, Auriel was troubled by Ivor's sharp remarks, his mocking glances. Then someone began to send threatening letters. Auriel fled from the strange London townhouse into the arms of anther man, and Ivor's desire for revenge exploded into frightful action. Evelyn Berckman is "one of the most original entrepreneurs of the Gothic genre."

Paperback

Published January 1, 1971

About the author

Evelyn Domenica Berckman was a British author of post-war detective fiction, horror and naval history, with a gift for engaging titles, featuring no one detective but a series of independent young women. The Evil of Time, for instance, features an archaeologist involved in tracing and restoring works of art stolen and hidden by the Nazis. Slightly marred by occasional fluffy love scenes, but presented with competence and an obvious knowledge of and love for the subject.

Many of her other novels made use of strong backgrounds. For example, A Simple Case of Ill-Will involves intrigue at a bridge club. In addition, The Heir of Starvelings (published as a Gothic), set in a ruined British mansion full of neglected and damaged antiques, was dedicated to the memory of Rupert Gunnis (1899-1965), an expert in antiquities. Also, The Voice of Air has a strong background involving antique automatons.

Evelyn Berckman was born in Philadelphia and moved to London in 1960. For many years she was a pianist and composer, and wrote plays and (mainly historical) non-fiction in addition to her novels. Her musical career was sidelined by injury for a number of years -- she suffered from temporary paralysis brought on by long sessions of practice on the piano. Her writing career didn't really start until the 1940s.

Evelyn Berckman died on September 18, 1978. The Mugar Memorial Library of Boston University houses a collection of Berckman's manuscripts.