Deductions of Colonel Gore

Colonel Wickham Gore is reunited with old friends at a dinner party, but one of them has fallen victim to a blackmailer. When the antagonist is found dead, Gore finds that civilian life can be as challenging as anything in the army, especially when one of your friends may have become a killer. This Detective Club classic is introduced by Rob Reef and reprints the only Colonel Gore novella, Too Much Imagination, from a rare 1926 American pulp magazine.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2018
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Colonel Wickham Gore, a renowned officer and gentleman detective, returns in this brand new edition of the first novel to feature him. This edition includes the first-ever reprint of the only Colonel Gore novella, "Too Much Imagination."

Colonel Gore is reunited with old friends at a dinner party to celebrate his return from service in Africa. However, he is shocked to discover that one of his friends has fallen victim to a callous blackmailer. When the antagonist is found dead, Gore realizes that civilian life can be as challenging as anything he experienced in the army, especially when one of his friends may have become a killer.

Alexander McAllister, born in Dublin and famous for his plays written as "Anthony Wharton," had become a publican in Surrey before his writing career took off again with the creation of Colonel Wickham Gore. Described as a clever writer with a gift for drawing life-like people and a lively sense of dramatic incident, Brock became a pillar of the Golden Age with his Colonel Gore whodunits and pioneering psychological novels, including the lurid "Nightmare."

This Detective Club classic is introduced by Rob Reef, author of the John Stableford mysteries. For the first time, it reprints the only Colonel Gore novella, "Too Much Imagination," a country house murder story from a rare 1926 American pulp magazine.

The novel revolves around Colonel Gore's investigation into the murder of a wealthy businessman at his country house. Gore is aided by his loyal butler, Mr. Jenkins, and his friend, Dr. Watson, who is visiting from London. As they delve deeper into the case, they encounter a series of strange and mysterious events that lead them to suspect that there is more to the murder than meets the eye.

One of the key aspects of the novel is the psychological depth of the characters. Colonel Gore is a complex and nuanced character, with a troubled past and a complicated relationship with his wife. Mr. Jenkins is a loyal and dependable servant who is fiercely protective of his master. Dr. Watson is a brilliant and observant physician who brings a scientific perspective to the investigation.

The novel also explores the social and cultural context of the time, particularly the role of women in society and the pressures of wealth and privilege. The murder victim, Mr. Fairchild, is a wealthy businessman who has been accused of embezzlement and other financial crimes. His wife, Mrs. Fairchild, is a strong-willed woman who is determined to protect her husband's reputation and interests.

Throughout the investigation, Gore and his team face a series of challenges and obstacles, including a rival detective who is determined to undermine their efforts and a mysterious woman who appears to be connected to the murder. They must use all of their skills and resources to solve the case and bring the killer to justice.

"Too Much Imagination" is a thrilling and suspenseful murder mystery that showcases Alexander McAllister's skill as a writer and his ability to create complex and compelling characters. It is a classic of the detective genre that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers today.

In conclusion, this brand new edition of the first novel to feature Colonel Wickham Gore includes the first-ever reprint of the only Colonel Gore novella, "Too Much Imagination." Colonel Gore is reunited with old friends at a dinner party to mark his return from service in Africa, but is shocked to discover that one of them has fallen victim to a callous blackmailer. When the antagonist is found dead, Gore finds that civilian life can be as challenging as anything in the army, especially when one of your friends may have become a killer. The novel explores the psychological depth of the characters, the social and cultural context of the time, and the challenges and obstacles faced by Gore and his team as they investigate the murder. "Too Much Imagination" is a thrilling and suspenseful murder mystery that showcases Alexander McAllister's skill as a writer and his ability to create complex and compelling characters. It is a classic of the detective genre that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers today.

Weight: 322g
Dimension: 131 x 191 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008283001