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Sir John Saumarez
Enter Sir John
Young actress Martella Baring is convicted of the murder of Edna Druce, the wife of the acting company's manager. The charmming and clever Sir John Saumarez, himself an actor and the manager of an acting company, attends the trial and becomes convinced of Martella's innocence. He enlists the help of his stage manager and the stage manager's wife, and Sir John proceeds to prove Martella's innocence and save her from hanging for a crime she didn't commit.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1928
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About the author
Clemence Dane
101 books8 followersClemence Dane was the pseudonym of Winifred Ashton.
Clemence Dane (name for the London church, St Clement Danes) was the pseudonym of Winifred Ashton, an English novelist and playwright (1888-1965). Between World Wars I and II, she was arguably Britain’s most successful all-round writer, with a unique place in literary, stage and cinematic history. Dane won an Oscar for her screenplay “Vacation from Marriage,”. School teacher, novelist, playwright and magazine editor, Dane wrote at least 30 plays and 16 novels.
One series she was famous for was The Babyons, by Clemence Dane. Four long stories strung together by a supernatural thread and chronicling the family history of the Babyons over a period of about 200 years. The ghostly thread is introduced in the first story, “Third Personal Singular,” a tale of 1750. James Babyon, engaged to marry his cousin Hariot, becomes suddenly averse from her and breaks the engagement within a month of the date set for the wedding. In a passionate scene in which the probable madness of Hariot is subtly suggested she pleads with him and, finding him adamant, cries that they are already married in soul and are inseparable. That his cousin actually is subject to fits of madness he does not learn until he is wedded to her companion Menella. He and Menella go to Europe to find everywhere that people have a curious fear of them; a fear which spreads to their servants and, when he learns that Hariot committed suicide, to Babyon himself. He regards himself directly responsible for her death, becomes obsessed with the belief that she haunts him, and the tragedy ends with his madness. The second story is dated 1775, the third 1820-1873, and the last 1902-1906. These stories are lighter than the first stark tragedy, and they end with peace at last given to the Babyons. Through them all runs the influence of Hariot, that strange, wildly passionate woman of 1750. Fine, dramatic work of large conception.--The Australian Woman's Mirror 29 May 1928.
Clemence Dane (name for the London church, St Clement Danes) was the pseudonym of Winifred Ashton, an English novelist and playwright (1888-1965). Between World Wars I and II, she was arguably Britain’s most successful all-round writer, with a unique place in literary, stage and cinematic history. Dane won an Oscar for her screenplay “Vacation from Marriage,”. School teacher, novelist, playwright and magazine editor, Dane wrote at least 30 plays and 16 novels.
One series she was famous for was The Babyons, by Clemence Dane. Four long stories strung together by a supernatural thread and chronicling the family history of the Babyons over a period of about 200 years. The ghostly thread is introduced in the first story, “Third Personal Singular,” a tale of 1750. James Babyon, engaged to marry his cousin Hariot, becomes suddenly averse from her and breaks the engagement within a month of the date set for the wedding. In a passionate scene in which the probable madness of Hariot is subtly suggested she pleads with him and, finding him adamant, cries that they are already married in soul and are inseparable. That his cousin actually is subject to fits of madness he does not learn until he is wedded to her companion Menella. He and Menella go to Europe to find everywhere that people have a curious fear of them; a fear which spreads to their servants and, when he learns that Hariot committed suicide, to Babyon himself. He regards himself directly responsible for her death, becomes obsessed with the belief that she haunts him, and the tragedy ends with his madness. The second story is dated 1775, the third 1820-1873, and the last 1902-1906. These stories are lighter than the first stark tragedy, and they end with peace at last given to the Babyons. Through them all runs the influence of Hariot, that strange, wildly passionate woman of 1750. Fine, dramatic work of large conception.--The Australian Woman's Mirror 29 May 1928.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 13, 2017
For my full review click on the link below:
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https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
October 8, 2024
In the English village of Peridu a member of a visiting theater company is murdered one night. Another member of the company, Martella Baring, who was found in a daze next to the body, is arrested for the murder.
Sir John Saumarez, a famous actor, has previously met Martella and doesn't believe she committed the murder. Not wanting an innocent woman to be hanged, he decides to look into the case himself.
This 1928 thriller features an interesting cast of characters and even includes a car chase.
Sir John Saumarez, a famous actor, has previously met Martella and doesn't believe she committed the murder. Not wanting an innocent woman to be hanged, he decides to look into the case himself.
This 1928 thriller features an interesting cast of characters and even includes a car chase.
August 13, 2024
Theatrical in every sense! This crime thriller/ romance is a little dated for the 1930s with something of the Victorian/ Edwardian melodrama about it, but none the less enjoyable for it. Set in the theatre, with Shakespearian quotations at the head of each chapter, the style is also dramatic. There's an element of racism in some words we wouldn't use today, but this underlies part of the plot and the attitude of the book and principal actors add rather than detract from an enjoyable read.
February 8, 2017
Full of class and race snobbery in the characters and the story. Kind of a weird mystery in which a person is convicted early in the book. Everyone, including the convicted person, thinks she committed the murder (although she doesn't remember committing it.) It's an interesting approach with a courtroom drama followed by the actual solving of the murder.
August 17, 2024
Rarely have I hated a book so much...and it is not just about the shockingly disgusting attitude of the times but also the style of writing, the ridiculous plot, the annoyingly constant obscure literary allusions...just a total waste of time. I had to see it to the end to find out the murder details but this is one I wish I had in paperback so I could pitch it into the trash...
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June 1, 2024Murder! (1930)
July 25, 2025
Peridot, Wales. Actress Magda Druce is found dead. With another actress, Martella Baring standing over her, with a poker and covered in blood. Is she guilty. Sir John thinks not and decides to investigate.
An enjoyable historical mystery
Originally published in 1928
An enjoyable historical mystery
Originally published in 1928
Want to read
October 8, 2018Synopsis: an actress is convicted of the murder of an acting manager's wife. Sir John Saumarez is convinced of her innocence.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews