Penguin 1st Edition, published 1953.

It had been a typical New Year’s Eve party. But as midnight approaches, Mr Satterthwaite - ­­a keen observer of human nature – senses that the real drama of the evening is yet to unfold. And so it proves when a mysterious stranger knocks on the door. Who is Mr Quin?

Mr Satterthwaite’s new friend is an enigma. Throughout this collection of short stories he seems to appear and disappear almost like a trick of the light. In fact, the only consistent thing about him is that his presence is always an omen – sometimes good, but sometimes deadly.

Condition grading: Fair. Annotations to inside front cover and first page (see photos). Taped tear to rear cover (see photos). Light creases to front cover. Some wear and creasing to spine. Binding tight. The photographs form part of the description.

Penguin 1st Edition, published 1953.

It had been a typical New Year’s Eve party. But as midnight approaches, Mr Satterthwaite - ­­a keen observer of human nature – senses that the real drama of the evening is yet to unfold. And so it proves when a mysterious stranger knocks on the door. Who is Mr Quin?

Mr Satterthwaite’s new friend is an enigma. Throughout this collection of short stories he seems to appear and disappear almost like a trick of the light. In fact, the only consistent thing about him is that his presence is always an omen – sometimes good, but sometimes deadly.

Condition grading: Good. Mark to front cover. Some wear to spine. Two small marks to right edge of rear cover. Binding tight. The photographs form part of the description.

Penguin 1st Edition, published 1953.

Mrs Packington felt alone, helpless and utterly forlorn. But her life changed when she stumbled upon an advertisement in The Times which read: ‘Are you happy? If not, consult Mr Parker Pyne.' Parker Pyne is a most unconventional investigator. In a uniquely charming way, he solves matters of the heart, yearnings for adventure, and one or two crimes along the way. This collection comprises fourteen tantalising cases for this intriguing retired civil servant.

Condition grading: Good . Very light creases across front cover. Some areas of light foxing to both covers. Some bumping to top right corner of front cover. Minor loss to top of spine, some wear to bottom fo spine.. Binding tight. The photographs form part of the description.

Penguin 1st Edition, published 1953.

One Tuesday evening a group gathers at Miss Marple’s house and the conversation turns to unsolved crimes. The case of the disappearing bloodstains; the thief who committed his crime twice over; the message on the death-bed of a poisoned man which read ‘heap of fish’; the strange case of the invisible will; a spiritualist who warned that ‘Blue Geranium’ meant death…

As each of her guests is mystified by the sinister tales they tell one another, the company is inclined to forget their elderly host. But there is a ruthless precision in Miss Marple’s pursuit of the killers in each tale… and a few surprises in store for The Tuesday Night Club.

Condition grading: Good Minus. Wear to top and bottom edges of front cover. Crease to top right corner of front cover. Wear damage to spines. Foxing to rear cover. Binding tight. The photographs form part of the description.

A trio of novels from the pen of Michael Innes, featuring Detective Inspector Appleby of Scotland Yard.

Death at the President’s Lodging - reprinted, 1959
The first Appleby novel - Appleby is called to St Anthony's College, where the President has been murdered in his Lodging. Scandal abounds when it becomes clear that the only people with any motive to murder him are the only people who had the opportunity - because the President's Lodging opens off Orchard Ground, which is locked at night, and only the Fellows of the College have keys...

The Secret Vanguard - 1st Penguin, 1958
Successful minor poet, Philip Ploss, lives a peaceful existence in ideal surroundings, until his life is upset when he hears verses erroneously quoted as his own. Soon afterwards, he is found dead in the library with a copy of Dante's Purgatory open before him.

A Family Affair - 1st Penguin, 1972
Over a period of twenty years, a series of highly elaborate art hoaxes have been perpetrated at carefully time intervals, and in each case, the victim has a very good reason for keeping quiet. Inspector Appleby's interest is kindled by an amusing dinner-party anecdote - when he enlists the help of his wife and son, the ensuing investigation is truly a family affair.

All of these books are originals, published by Penguin Books. All books are Good overall condition. There may be corner folds, inscriptions, tears, signs of wear etc. inside some of these books not shown in photographs. The photographs do form part of the description and the condition is reflected in the price.