Overview

A deadly puzzle unfolds in the grand tradition of Golden Age detective fiction in Peril at Cranbury Hall by John Rhode-an ingenious, atmospheric mystery featuring the brilliant Dr. Lancelot Priestley. When a sudden death shocks the quiet English countryside, whispers of accident and misfortune hide something far more sinister. Local authorities dismiss the tragedy, but subtle inconsistencies-mechanical oddities, unexplained injuries, and motives buried in polite conversation-draw the attention of Dr. Priestley, the celebrated scientific detective known for unraveling crimes through logic, engineering insight, and uncompromising reason. As bodies begin to fall and secrets tighten around the old estate of Cranbury Hall, Priestley navigates a world of deception, misdirection, and vintage crime where every clue demands fierce attention. In a case filled with ingenious murder methods, dangerous machinery, and the quiet menace of privilege turned predatory, the truth depends not on instinct or chance-but on evidence, deduction, and the specialized knowledge only Priestley commands. A showcase of classic British mystery, fair-play detective fiction, and Golden Age whodunit craftsmanship, this novel is perfect for fans of vintage crime novels, early twentieth-century mysteries, and readers who crave puzzles driven by intelligence rather than sensationalism. With precise plotting and a final solution that rewards the observant, Peril at Cranbury Hall stands as a prime example of why John Rhode remains a cornerstone of British crime classics. Ideal for libraries, book clubs, and collectors of Golden Age detective fiction, this edition offers a compelling gateway into the world of Dr. Priestley-where murder is solved not with bravado, but with brilliance.

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9781515469483

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John Rhode was the most prolific pen name of Cecil John Charles Street (1884-1964), a cornerstone figure of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction and one of the era's most inventive craftsmen. A former military intelligence officer and civil servant, Street brought a cool, analytical mind to the mystery novel, creating puzzles rooted in logic, engineering, and the emerging sciences of his day. This background gave his books a distinctive flavor: crimes solved not by coincidence or flair, but by method, evidence, and applied reasoning.Best known for his long-running series featuring Dr. Lancelot Priestley, Rhode helped shape the scientific detective archetype-an investigator who uses rational deduction and technical knowledge to unravel crimes others overlook. His stories frequently involve ingenious murder methods, mechanical contraptions, and subtle forensic details, offering readers the pleasure of both a gripping mystery and an intellectual challenge.Street wrote hundreds of novels across multiple pseudonyms, including Miles Burton and Cecil Waye, becoming one of the most commercially successful and industrious writers of his generation. Though not as widely remembered as Christie or Sayers, Rhode's work remains deeply respected by genre scholars and cherished by fans of fair-play detective fiction, who admire his meticulous plotting and commitment to the puzzle at the heart of the mystery.Peril at Cranbury Hall showcases Rhode's hallmark strengths: a cleverly engineered crime, a tightly structured investigation, and a solution that rewards careful attention. It stands as a testament to why John Rhode is increasingly recognized as a writer who deserves renewed attention from modern readers, collectors, and libraries preserving the legacy of classic British crime.

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