The Case of the Dangerous Dowager by Erle Stanley Gardner

First Published: International Readers League, 1937
Edition Read: International Readers League, 1937
ISBN: ???
Series: Perry Mason 10

Not one of my favourites, but still good. What’s particularly good about this one is that Gardner tells you everything you need to know in order to solve the mystery so that even though you probably won’t work it out, you could.

Woman in the Dark by Dashiell Hammett

First Published: Liberty Magazine (3 instalments), 1933
Edition Read: Vintage Crime, 1989
ISBN: 0-679-772265-3
Subtitle: A Novel of Dangerous Romance

Though beautifully written, this novella is primarily interesting for what it says about the sort of hero Hammett thought he was creating in his writings. This time he incarnated that hero as a woman.

The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon

First Published: Harper Collins, 2007
Edition Read: Harper Collins, 2007
ISBN: 978 0 00 714982 7
*** Random Book ***

You have to be at least somewhat impressed by a book that creates an alternate history in which atom bombs dropped in Europe and Marilyn Munroe Kennedy as the First Lady are mentioned in a totally off-hand, background manner.

Where There’s a Will by Rex Stout

First Published: Farra & Rinehart, 1940
Edition Read: Bantam Books, 1992
ISBN: 0 533 76301 6
Series: Nero Wolfe 8

Don’t be taken in by the atrocious title. If you write as many books as Rex Stout did, you’ll eventually use a title that crap too. It’s actually a really good book … if you like that kind of thing. Which you should.