June 22: Murder at Monk's Barn - Cecil Waye (1931)

[Susan]

Welcome to our June challenge read of Murder at Monk's Barn written by Cecil Waye a pen name for John Rhode (he also used Miles Burton) and first publsihed in 1931. This is the first in the The 'Perrins, Private Investigators' Mysteries' - four books are listed in the series on Amazon and Goodreads. I am unsure if that is all, so please feel free to correct me if there are more!

Burden, who had served in the war, and had considerable experience of death in its violent forms, took a pace forward. He saw at once that Mr. Wynter was beyond mortal aid.

Gregory Wynter is shot dead through the window of his dressing room. There is no apparent motive for the crime, and it seems impossible for the murderer to have escaped before the police arrive. The dead man's brother, Austin, enlists the help of Christopher and Vivienne Perrins, a brother-and-sister team of private investigators.

In this classic puzzler, the Perrins piece together the complex relationships within the Wynter household and beyond. What they discover leads surprisingly to romance, not to mention the unravelling of an "impossible" murder which also involves a box of poisoned chocolates . . .

Please do not post spoilers in this thread. Thank you.

[Susan]

I enjoyed this one, although I was intrigued as to why John Rhode used a pen name for this particular series? I did read somewhere that it might have been because the book/plot was similar to one he published under another name!

[Judy]

Let's get our latest discussion in the Detection Club challenge started! Thanks to Susan for setting up the threads.

Who is reading this one or planning to join in?

The spoiler thread is linked below:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Judy]

Susan wrote: "I enjoyed this one, although I was intrigued as to why John Rhode used a pen name for this particular series? I did read somewhere that it might have been because the book/plot was similar to one he published under another name"

We both posted at the same moment, Susan! I've read about 80% now and am really enjoying it and very keen to find out the solution.

John Rhode's real name was Cecil Street, so looks as if he enjoyed making puns on his name with "Rhode" and "Waye"- I had assumed he was so prolific that he had to use several names, like one or two other authors, so am intrigued to hear that theory about the similar plots!

A few prolific GA authors seem to have used a different pseudonym for each series detective, as Rhode did - not sure if it was also a case of a different name for a different publisher.

[Susan]

I read it on the internet somewhere, Judy, so am not sure I can find it again. However, with limited plots available and the author so prolific, it is an idea. He only published this series under this pen name.

[Judy]

I've just found a biographical article about John Rhode by Curtis Evans on the CrimeReads website - I haven't read this properly yet but it only seems to mention the books he published under the Rhode name:
https://crimereads.com/john-rhode-vin...

[Klowey]

Sounds good. I will be joining and just bought the Kindle edition.

[ChrisGA]

Susan in NC wrote: "I enjoyed this one, I liked the no-nonsense style and sibling relationship - they were clearly fond of each other, but not sappy. Also, I liked that the brother clearly respected his sister’s intel..."
I agree with everything you said, Susan. It was refreshing to observe the relationship between the siblings and their mutual respect. vi as the main detective was a nice change.

[Judy]

@Susan in NC, I've just deleted your post as it had a possible spoiler in - no worries, I will repost it in the spoiler thread in a few minutes, as I haven't quite finished the book yet!

[Carolien]

I've started this one and am enjoying the relationship between the siblings so far.

[Judy]

Hope you both enjoy the book, Carolien and Klowey - I found it a fun read.

For those wanting to read another by this author, I noticed that Invisible Weapons, one of the detective novels published under the name John Rhode, is currently available on Kindle Unlimited.

[Sandy]

Judy wrote: "Hope you both enjoy the book, Carolien and Klowey - I found it a fun read.

For those wanting to read another by this author, I noticed that Invisible Weapons, one of the detective ..."

Not in US - $10.50 here.

[Pamela]

I’ve just started this and am enjoying the contribution of Vivienne so far. It’s nice to see an intelligent and resourceful female character at the heart of the action.

[Judy]

That's a shame the book I mentioned isn't available on KU in the US, Sandy.

[Michaela]

Pamela wrote: "I’ve just started this and am enjoying the contribution of Vivienne so far. It’s nice to see an intelligent and resourceful female character at the heart of the action."

Same here! :)

[Judy]

I also liked Vivienne. She has a lot of determination and her relationship with her brother is quite refreshing after all the bickering siblings in GA mysteries.

[Klowey]

Judy wrote: "Let's get our latest discussion in the Detection Club challenge started! Thanks to Susan for setting up the threads.

Who is reading this one or planning to join in?

The spoiler thread is linked ..."

I am reading this now and really enjoying it. How long will the discussion SPOILER thread be active? Is it through the month? I should be done reading in a few days. I'm juggling several books at the moment.

[Sandy]

The thread remains "forever" so you will always be able to post. My problem is that I start to forget the book soon after finishing so my meaningful responses are limited. Other are much better at retention.

[Klowey]

Sandy wrote: "The thread remains "forever" so you will always be able to post. My problem is that I start to forget the book soon after finishing so my meaningful responses are limited. Other are much better at ..."

Thanks!