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Trevor Lowe #3
The Lady of Doom
Whispers have reached Scotland Yard of an elusive figure that has appeared on the dark horizon of crime and is making its influence felt. Then the first threatening letter comes, demanding a huge payment, or death for its recipient. The victim goes to the police for protection - only to be promptly murdered. The same graft has been worked by gangsters in Chicago - and now it seems they have arrived in London. As Scotland Yard strives to find the criminal mastermind responsible, so too does a mysterious woman...the Lady of Doom!
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1934
About the author
Gerald Verner
118 books22 followersGerald Verner is one of the pseudonyms used by John Robert Stuart Pringle, who was born in Streatham, London, on 31 January 1897.
In his early writing days he used the name Donald Stuart, under which name he wrote 44 stories for the Sexton Blake Library as well as six stories for Union Jack and three for the Thriller magazine. In addition he wrote two stage plays, 'Sexton Blake' and 'The Shadow', two films, 'The Man Outside' (1933) and 'The Shadow' (1933) under the Stuart name. Later a number of his books were adapted for radio serials, stage plays and films.
He became a hugely successful thriller writer, producing more than 120 novels that were translated in 35 languages. The Duke of Windsor was a big Verner fan and at one time he was presented with 15 volumes specially bound.
Heavily influenced by Edgar Wallace, he wrote extensively for magazines such as Detective Weekly, the Sexton Blake Library, Union Jack and The Thriller. He also adapted Peter Cheyney's 'Meet Mr Callaghan' and Agatha Christie's 'Towards Zero' for the stage.
He also used the pseudonyms Thane Leslie, Derwent Steele and Nigel Vane.
He died at Broadstairs, Kent, of natural causes on 16 September 1980.
Gerry Wolstenholme
July 2013
In his early writing days he used the name Donald Stuart, under which name he wrote 44 stories for the Sexton Blake Library as well as six stories for Union Jack and three for the Thriller magazine. In addition he wrote two stage plays, 'Sexton Blake' and 'The Shadow', two films, 'The Man Outside' (1933) and 'The Shadow' (1933) under the Stuart name. Later a number of his books were adapted for radio serials, stage plays and films.
He became a hugely successful thriller writer, producing more than 120 novels that were translated in 35 languages. The Duke of Windsor was a big Verner fan and at one time he was presented with 15 volumes specially bound.
Heavily influenced by Edgar Wallace, he wrote extensively for magazines such as Detective Weekly, the Sexton Blake Library, Union Jack and The Thriller. He also adapted Peter Cheyney's 'Meet Mr Callaghan' and Agatha Christie's 'Towards Zero' for the stage.
He also used the pseudonyms Thane Leslie, Derwent Steele and Nigel Vane.
He died at Broadstairs, Kent, of natural causes on 16 September 1980.
Gerry Wolstenholme
July 2013
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 12, 2024
My review for this one is exactly the same as the previous one.
Although quite readable in its way, this book has major faults. Firstly, the old chestnut that Scotland Yard would never allow an amateur to run the investigation. In this one the Yard man, Inspector Shadgold did virtually nothing but run around after Trevor Lowe, hanging on his every word. Secondly, all the provincial police are all dimwitted morons. Thirdly, the villain always kills the victims immediately unless it happens to be Trevor Lowe who is tied up to be disposed of later and always manages to escape somehow.
They are nicely written, however.
I quite enjoyed the Superintendent Budd series by this author but fear these are not going to be as good.
Although quite readable in its way, this book has major faults. Firstly, the old chestnut that Scotland Yard would never allow an amateur to run the investigation. In this one the Yard man, Inspector Shadgold did virtually nothing but run around after Trevor Lowe, hanging on his every word. Secondly, all the provincial police are all dimwitted morons. Thirdly, the villain always kills the victims immediately unless it happens to be Trevor Lowe who is tied up to be disposed of later and always manages to escape somehow.
They are nicely written, however.
I quite enjoyed the Superintendent Budd series by this author but fear these are not going to be as good.
Want to Read
June 9, 2025RK KINDLE
Trevor Lowe #1-11
The Complete Trevor Lowe Series
Gerald Verner
Trevor Lowe #1-11
The Complete Trevor Lowe Series
Gerald Verner
May 25, 2023
If this is an attempt by Verner to gain admittance to the hardboiled school, then his entrance paper gains him a grading around the F mark. Even the most naive reader of the 1930s would see the holes and unlikelihoods in this plot.
Trevor Lowe and Inspector Shadbolt are here faced by a Chicago gangster who has pitched up in London and has instigated a regime of blackmail, extortion and drug dealing, aided by a number of gunslinging local villains. Al- what else could his first name be - is pursued by the wife of one of his Chicago victims and has an unfortunate propensity for choosing the least effective or immediate method of dealing with Lowe, ignoring the advice given to “Plug him with a bullet. That’s the safest thing.”
The plot maunders on in the dingiest of dockland locales, all rendered in a curiously unatmospheric manner, and conveying less excitement than a wet Monday morning in Millport.
2.5 stars.
Trevor Lowe and Inspector Shadbolt are here faced by a Chicago gangster who has pitched up in London and has instigated a regime of blackmail, extortion and drug dealing, aided by a number of gunslinging local villains. Al- what else could his first name be - is pursued by the wife of one of his Chicago victims and has an unfortunate propensity for choosing the least effective or immediate method of dealing with Lowe, ignoring the advice given to “Plug him with a bullet. That’s the safest thing.”
The plot maunders on in the dingiest of dockland locales, all rendered in a curiously unatmospheric manner, and conveying less excitement than a wet Monday morning in Millport.
2.5 stars.
March 1, 2020
Threatening letters are being sent to the wealthy - pay a percentage of your wealth or die. A scheme that was used by gangsters in Chicago, have they now arrived in London. D.I. Shadgold with the help of Trevor Lowe investigate.
Not too sure that I enjoyed the infiltration of American gangsters into the storyline, it felt wrong.
Originally published in 1934
Not too sure that I enjoyed the infiltration of American gangsters into the storyline, it felt wrong.
Originally published in 1934
April 12, 2025
Another good Trevor Lowe mystery. I just wish the police were a little more intelligent. Surely they wouldn't have got so far if they were thick. Anyway, that's my minor gripe with this series. Good reading though.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews