The Goblin Market

by Helen McCloy

It's 1943, and down-on-his-luck American expat Philip Stark is on the Caribbean island of Santa Teresa. The prewar destination playground is deserted now except for diplomats and oil refinery workers. When a local correspondent dies, Stark sees a chance to make some money. Having worked for the same company in the past, he is hired to replace the dead man. But Stark doesn't think his predecessor died by accident. As he looks into the mystery, he encounters a rival correspondent, an enigmatic police officer and the mistress of the dead man - all of whom had a stake in seeing him dead.

Genres: Mystery, Crime

249 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published January 1, 1943

About the author

Helen McCloy, born as Helen Worrell Clarkson McCloy (she also published as Helen Clarkson), was an American mystery writer, whose series character Dr. Basil Willing debuted in Dance of Death (1938). Willing believes that "every criminal leaves psychic fingerprints, and he can't wear gloves to hide them." He appeared in 13 of McCloy's novels and in several of her short stories. McCloy often used the theme of doppelganger, but in the end of the story she showed a psychological or realistic explanation for the seemingly supernatural events.

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic mid-century thriller, part spy story, part murder mystery, set on a tropical island filled with suspicious sorts and lots of atmosphere. McCloy is an excellent writer: her characters are acutely observed; the scenes are beautifully set and described; and she builds tension like a pro. Her books are mostly no longer in print, except for a few on Kindle, but you can buy the Dell Mapback editions on Ebay for under ten bucks a pop. And they are gems! Menacing pulp fiction covers, wonderful synopses of the plot and cast at the outset of each book, and best of all, a colorful map of the crime scene on the back cover. I love these books!

[A. C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gets better and better

I had a slightly hard time getting into this book but remembering how good a writer she is, I was patient, a patience richly rewarded as this is a really good mystery!

[Puzzle Doctor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great. Full review at classicmystery.wordpress.com.

[Rick Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was confused for a bit. Dr. Basil Willing is supposedly a series detective. He gets a brief mention early on, when Halloran left behind a doodle of a slice of pie inside a square. Willing is described as being able to interpret dreams and doodles. But he is in New York. So they write and offer him $50 for his interpretation. Then nothing is more is heard of him and I figured he had his cameo mention and was forgotten - until the very end, when he enters the story in a big, surprising way.

I always enjoy stories with newspaper reporters as the prime investigators, as this one does not disappoint. Stark is a reporter in the mold of Peter Piper (by Nancy Barr Mavity), and silk stockings and stilettos competitor Patricia Mitchell reminds me of Brenda Starr (of comic book fame). 

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[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Halloran, an American newspaperman on the strategic island of Santa Teresa, dies in a strange accident, Phil Stark, a newcomer, steps into his place. Stark must track down traces of Halloran's last big story, the one he died before completing, while dealing with suspicions of his own activities. There's the smooth local policeman, the American businessman, Stark's competitor for news scoops, the Spanish sympathizer with the Nazis, and the ever-present threat of U-Boat attacks on the oil tanker convoys that form and leave from the local port. Andwhatever Stark is doing, he has no one he can trust...

[Ron Kerrigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as much fun to read as some of McCloy's other stories, this mystery does hold your attention, although the ending felt a bit rushed and anti-climatic. The title comes from a poem of the same name by Christina Rossetti: "We must not look at Goblin men, We must not buy their fruits, Who knows upon what soil they fed Their hungry, thirsty roots?" It's great title, and sort of fits the plot at least. The setting is interesting, but the war is pretty much in the background. And though his name is referenced, the story could have benefited from being a "Basil Willing" mystery.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books by Helen Mccloy. The narrative is interesting, and the book is incredibly readable. The setting - a South American country during World War II - is original and unique. The ending pays off greatly and gives you a great ah ha moment. I read the Dell Mapbook edition which has a great map on the back, but part of the last chapter was missing and the pages didn't appear to be torn out. FYI - check the last chapter for skipped pages if you buy this edtion.

[Scott Breslove · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t have high hopes going in, but this was a very enjoyable book! Set during the war, but in very different circumstances than a normal war story. Full of interesting tidbits about a variety of topics making this a very entertaining read...think I might try to pick up some of the other Willing novels.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting period piece written and set in WWII. Included in mystery critic James Sandoe's honor roll list of crime fiction.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needs more goblins.