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Simon Gale #3
The Snark Was A Boojum
What incredible fate had overtaken William Baker? The man had vanished, literally into thin air! He had walked out of his house and disappeared, leaving behind his clothes lying in a heap on the pavement. 'The Snark Was A Boojum' was to be the third book to feature Gerald Verner’s renowned detective Simon Gale, but this intriguing opus was never finished during the author’s lifetime. At the invitation of the editors at Ramble House, Chris Verner has finished his father’s novel, which is now presented in this world-first edition of a macabre masterpiece of detective fiction!
214 pages, Paperback
Published April 24, 2015
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
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October 9, 2017
There is a minor element of locked room mystery in this story but it's sorted by the detective quite quickly, almost as if the author was trying to play with the expectation of locked room and subverting it. This was apparently a story found in Gerald Verner's papers and finished by his son.
Featuring the eccentric Simon Gale and told from the perspective of a junior solicitor who Simon inveigles into helping him (with some excellent moments of terror on a motorcycle, without a helmet!). It does still feel somewhat unfinished but the twists and turns were interesting with each character having reasons to kill the various people who turn up dead. I enjoyed it and look forward to more by this author.
I'm going to use it for locked room as it subverts it nicely (the detective works out the how, while the cops look on in awe). It would also qualify as a cosy mystery, country house mystery, murder most foul, terror in a small town, amateur sleuth, there's an element of romantic suspense here too.
Featuring the eccentric Simon Gale and told from the perspective of a junior solicitor who Simon inveigles into helping him (with some excellent moments of terror on a motorcycle, without a helmet!). It does still feel somewhat unfinished but the twists and turns were interesting with each character having reasons to kill the various people who turn up dead. I enjoyed it and look forward to more by this author.
I'm going to use it for locked room as it subverts it nicely (the detective works out the how, while the cops look on in awe). It would also qualify as a cosy mystery, country house mystery, murder most foul, terror in a small town, amateur sleuth, there's an element of romantic suspense here too.
Displaying 1 of 1 review