Henry Wade Books

A wealthy banker, Sir Garth Fratten, dies suddenly from an aneurysm on the Duke of York's Steps. His doctor is satisfied that a mild shock such as being jostled would be enough to cause Sir Garth's death. It all seems so straightforward, and there is no inquest.But Fratten's daughter Inez is not satisfied. She places an advertisement in the London newspapers that comes to the attention of Scotland Yard, and Inspector John Poole is assigned to make enquiries.Poole's investigation leads him into a world of high finance where things are not as they seem; a sordid world in which rich young men make fools of themselves over chorus girls.

The narrative centers around the allure of the San Podino Gold Company, which attracted numerous investors due to an overly optimistic prospectus. However, the reality turned out to be disappointing, as the mine produced nothing but "Fool's Gold," leaving shareholders in a precarious financial situation. This tale explores themes of deception and the pitfalls of blind investment.

The mysterious disappearance of two prominent London businessmen sets off a gripping investigation. Cousins James and Charles Morden, who operate a struggling shipping company in Liverpool post-Great War, face mounting suspicion amid financial irregularities. The plot thickens when James's body is discovered on the banks of the Mersey, raising questions about foul play and the truth behind their vanishing. This tale weaves elements of intrigue and family dynamics against a backdrop of economic turmoil.

The body of a woman is found in a corner of Hampstead Heath. She's been strangled, and it's clear from her appearance that she was a prostitute. The detectives seem faced with a hopeless lack of evidence. They have a suspect and several contradictory witnesses, but no proof and little information to go on. With ingenuity and tireless patience Inspector Poole of Scotland Yard finds out that the dead woman was not always a low-grade prostitute but had sunk to hopeless poverty from a very different life.

In the quiet seaside town of Whynmouth, Inspector Rudge seldom faces murder cases. However, his routine is shattered when an old sailor arrives with a rowing boat carrying a fresh corpse, stabbed in the chest. The investigation reveals multiple challenges; the vicar, owner of the boat, seems to be hiding crucial information, and the victim's niece has mysteriously vanished. The case grows increasingly complex, raising doubts about the victim's identity and the number of people involved in this extraordinary crime. Inspector Rudge grapples with the intricacies of the situation, questioning whether he will ever uncover the truth. In 1931, a group of crime writers, including Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, collaborated on a unique literary project under the Detection Club. Each author contributed a chapter in a game of literary consequences, with G.K. Chesterton providing a paradoxical prologue and Anthony Berkeley resolving the story. The authors also submitted their own solutions in sealed envelopes, revealed at the book's conclusion, with Agatha Christie's clever resolution noted as particularly outstanding. The contributors included notable figures such as Canon Victor Whitechurch, G.D.H. Cole, and Ronald Knox, among others.