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Barbara on Her Own
A thrilling tale of commerce and intrigue starring Barbara, god-daughter and Private Secretary to Mr Maber. Unlike the old-fashioned Maber & Maber department store, the modern Atterman's store is a successful, profitable business. At a take-over meeting Barbara gives Messers Atterman and Minkey a piece of her mind. On the evening before the deal is to be finalised something happens to Mr Maber…the police summon Barbara - now she is on her own!
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1926
1 person is currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Edgar Wallace
2,126 books260 followersRichard Horatio Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) was a prolific British crime writer, journalist and playwright, who wrote 175 novels, 24 plays, and countless articles in newspapers and journals.
Over 160 films have been made of his novels, more than any other author. In the 1920s, one of Wallace's publishers claimed that a quarter of all books read in England were written by him.
He is most famous today as the co-creator of "King Kong", writing the early screenplay and story for the movie, as well as a short story "King Kong" (1933) credited to him and Draycott Dell. He was known for the J. G. Reeder detective stories, The Four Just Men, the Ringer, and for creating the Green Archer character during his lifetime.
Over 160 films have been made of his novels, more than any other author. In the 1920s, one of Wallace's publishers claimed that a quarter of all books read in England were written by him.
He is most famous today as the co-creator of "King Kong", writing the early screenplay and story for the movie, as well as a short story "King Kong" (1933) credited to him and Draycott Dell. He was known for the J. G. Reeder detective stories, The Four Just Men, the Ringer, and for creating the Green Archer character during his lifetime.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 8, 2026
"Save the business" is a genre, or at least a plot type, and in the right hands it can be compelling. Wallace's are the right hands, even though he was notoriously bad at business himself and constantly in debt, and this genial comedy proves it.
Barbara, one of Wallace's capable heroines, works as a secretary for her godfather, Mr Maber of Maber & Maber's Department Store, an old and fossilized institution that is about to be bought by their competitor across the road. Before the sale can go through, Mr Maber gets drunk on Boat Race Night (having, in his university days, rowed stroke for Cambridge) and is arrested and imprisoned for biting a policeman. Naturally, nobody can know about this, and he gives Barbara his power of attorney, assuming she will complete the sale negotiations.
Instead, she decides to shock the business into life, to advertise and hold a sale (two things the store has never done before). She knows a young man, who is in love with her despite her discouragement, who sells advertising space; she buys some. One of the executives becomes an ally, the other an antagonist. Various past indiscretions come into play, people leap to conclusions (Barbara has married Mr Maber! Barbara has done away with Mr Maber!), the competitor incites his subordinates to commit minor crimes, farcical consequences ensue... it's all good fun.
The ending, I felt, was weaker than the rest of the book, wrapping up too much too abruptly. But the journey there I thoroughly enjoyed. It's like a P.G. Wodehouse book written by Edgar Wallace, which means middle-class people with jobs instead of upper-class people with private incomes are the participants in the farcical shenanigans.
Barbara, one of Wallace's capable heroines, works as a secretary for her godfather, Mr Maber of Maber & Maber's Department Store, an old and fossilized institution that is about to be bought by their competitor across the road. Before the sale can go through, Mr Maber gets drunk on Boat Race Night (having, in his university days, rowed stroke for Cambridge) and is arrested and imprisoned for biting a policeman. Naturally, nobody can know about this, and he gives Barbara his power of attorney, assuming she will complete the sale negotiations.
Instead, she decides to shock the business into life, to advertise and hold a sale (two things the store has never done before). She knows a young man, who is in love with her despite her discouragement, who sells advertising space; she buys some. One of the executives becomes an ally, the other an antagonist. Various past indiscretions come into play, people leap to conclusions (Barbara has married Mr Maber! Barbara has done away with Mr Maber!), the competitor incites his subordinates to commit minor crimes, farcical consequences ensue... it's all good fun.
The ending, I felt, was weaker than the rest of the book, wrapping up too much too abruptly. But the journey there I thoroughly enjoyed. It's like a P.G. Wodehouse book written by Edgar Wallace, which means middle-class people with jobs instead of upper-class people with private incomes are the participants in the farcical shenanigans.
March 7, 2014
In some ways, different from Wallace's other books. Think P. G. Wodehouse. Lots of fun. 4-1/2 stars!
August 4, 2018
Such a ball of funnies. I love Barbara; she us bad ass.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews