John Rhode was a pseudonym for the author Cecil John Charles Street (1884–1964), who also wrote as Miles Burton and Cecil Waye. Having served in the British Army as an artillery officer during the First World War, rising to the rank of Major, he began writing non-fiction before turning to detective fiction, and produced four novels a year for thirty-seven years. The Sunday Times said ‘he must hold the record for the invention of ingenious forms of murder’, and the Times Literary Supplement described him as ‘standing in the front rank of those who write detective fiction’. Rhode’s first series novel, The Paddington Mystery (1925), introduced Dr Lancelot Priestley, who went on to appear in 72 novels, many for Collins Crime Club.

‘Each author manages to give the essential facts of his or her case; and the reader has the further interest of seeing how characteristics of the author’s fiction writing reveal themselves in this kind of critical and historical work. The layman as well as the criminologist has good reason to read this volume; and he will desire lawyers and detectives also to digest it.’ Sunday TimesReviews for previous Detection Club re-issues:‘A must for all connoisseurs of detective fiction.’ Literary Review‘This year’s most welcome reissue.’ Sunday Telegraph‘A book of irresistible charm for students of the detective story.’ Times Literary Supplement

John Rhode was a pseudonym for the author Cecil John Charles Street (1884–1964), who also wrote as Miles Burton and Cecil Waye. Having served in the British Army as an artillery officer during the First World War, rising to the rank of Major, he began writing non-fiction before turning to detective fiction, and produced four novels a year for thirty-seven years. The Sunday Times said ‘he must hold the record for the invention of ingenious forms of murder’, and the Times Literary Supplement described him as ‘standing in the front rank of those who write detective fiction’. Rhode’s first series novel, The Paddington Mystery (1925), introduced Dr Lancelot Priestley, who went on to appear in 72 novels, many for Collins Crime Club.

‘Each author manages to give the essential facts of his or her case; and the reader has the further interest of seeing how characteristics of the author’s fiction writing reveal themselves in this kind of critical and historical work. The layman as well as the criminologist has good reason to read this volume; and he will desire lawyers and detectives also to digest it.’ Sunday TimesReviews for previous Detection Club re-issues:‘A must for all connoisseurs of detective fiction.’ Literary Review‘This year’s most welcome reissue.’ Sunday Telegraph‘A book of irresistible charm for students of the detective story.’ Times Literary Supplement