Vincent Starrett

Originally published in 1929, a Golden Age classic murder mystery set on a cruise ship. Everyone is a suspect. When a beautiful countess is found strangled in her cabin aboard the luxury liner Latakia, scientist, explorer, and former intelligence officer Walter Ghost tries to find the killer. He has a taste for puzzles and a habit of getting into trouble, but now he’s trapped in a game he doesn’t know if he can win. Anyone could be next. Confined to the close quarters of ‘B’ deck, with a group of paranoid passengers, Walter must solve this one quickly – and find the killer before someone else gets scratched off the passenger list. ‘Starrett makes the most of the setting and populates it with an array of potential suspects. This definitely merits being labeled an American Mystery classic.’ Publishers Weekly ‘Starrett was a Holmes expert, and this first of three Walter Ghost novels, published in 1929, delivers a thoroughly entertaining spin on the theme of a big-brained amateur sleuth and his admiring sidekick.’ Booklist

This charming Christmas fantasy, originally published in 1919, follows a whimsical adventure as Alice from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland escapes her book and ventures into a modern world full of bustling holiday shoppers, Santa Clauses, and quirky encounters. Through her explorations, she uncovers deep truths about reality, imagination, and the spirit of Christmas. Starrett's delightful narrative captures the wonder and perplexity of childhood while blending holiday magic with literary nostalgia.

A strange sight greets Chicago haberdashery clerk Rufus Ker as he prepares to begin his workday by unlocking the door to Bluefield, Inc. A sign is attached to the glass. It reads: DEAD MAN INSIDE I AM DEAD. THIS STORE WILL NOT OPEN TO-DAY. Once inside, Rufus is relieved to discover the shop is still in one piece and assumes the sign to be a prank. But no one is laughing when Rufus realizes the dummy in the window is no dummy at all. It's the body of his boss, Amos Bluefield, and unfortunately this is only the beginning.... Scientist, explorer, and former intelligence officer Walter Ghost has come to Chicago to research some history, but after a stint in the hospital due to appendicitis, he quickly finds himself investigating a string of puzzling murders. Ghost is certainly no stranger to playing detective, but if he's not careful, he's about to get more familiar with the hospital.

A strange sight greets Chicago haberdashery clerk Rufus Ker as he prepares to begin his workday by unlocking the door to Bluefield, Inc. A sign is attached to the glass. It reads: DEAD MAN INSIDE I AM DEAD. THIS STORE WILL NOT OPEN TO-DAY. Once inside, Rufus is relieved to discover the shop is still in one piece and assumes the sign to be a prank. But no one is laughing when Rufus realizes the dummy in the window is no dummy at all. It's the body of his boss, Amos Bluefield, and unfortunately this is only the beginning.... Scientist, explorer, and former intelligence officer Walter Ghost has come to Chicago to research some history, but after a stint in the hospital due to appendicitis, he quickly finds himself investigating a string of puzzling murders. Ghost is certainly no stranger to playing detective, but if he's not careful, he's about to get more familiar with the hospital.

For the passengers aboard the Latakia, the transatlantic journey from New York to Cherbourg promises weeks of rest and relaxation, no matter what class of ticket they have. But after an Italian baroness is found strangled in her cabin, the situation on board becomes more tense. The main suspect soon goes overboard, creating more questions than answers: Did a guilty conscience spur a suicidal act, or was he a witness silenced by the true killer, still at large on the luxury liner. Enter former intelligence officer Walter Ghost, tapped by the ship's captain to play detective and solve the murder. He's joined by his friend Dunsten Mollock, a novelist whose experience with mystery stories gives him helpful insights into the case. With clues including an amateur film, a doll, and a card from Memphis, Tennessee, it seems the duo have plenty to work with. But will they be able to solve the crime before word of the murder makes it into the steamship's rumor mill, surely sending any guilty persons even deeper into hiding? Originally published in 1929 and out of print for nearly a century, Murder on "B" Deck is a puzzling-yet-humorous whodunnit set in the Golden Age of transatlantic travel. Includes discussion guide questions for use in book clubs.

For the passengers aboard the Latakia, the transatlantic journey from New York to Cherbourg promises weeks of rest and relaxation, no matter what class of ticket they have. But after an Italian baroness is found strangled in her cabin, the situation on board becomes more tense. The main suspect soon goes overboard, creating more questions than answers: Did a guilty conscience spur a suicidal act, or was he a witness silenced by the true killer, still at large on the luxury liner. Enter former intelligence officer Walter Ghost, tapped by the ship's captain to play detective and solve the murder. He's joined by his friend Dunsten Mollock, a novelist whose experience with mystery stories gives him helpful insights into the case. With clues including an amateur film, a doll, and a card from Memphis, Tennessee, it seems the duo have plenty to work with. But will they be able to solve the crime before word of the murder makes it into the steamship's rumor mill, surely sending any guilty persons even deeper into hiding? Originally published in 1929 and out of print for nearly a century, Murder on "B" Deck is a puzzling-yet-humorous whodunnit set in the Golden Age of transatlantic travel. Includes discussion guide questions for use in book clubs.

An indispensable biography of the world's most famous detective from Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Vincent StarrettIn a boarding house at 221B Baker Street, a genius is at work. With the help of his tireless companion, Dr. Watson, the peerless Sherlock Holmes solves one impossible mystery after the next. Many of his adventures, such as "The Hound of the Baskervilles" and "The Red-Headed League," are world famous, while others, including "The Adventure of the Tired Captain" and "The Singular Affair of the Aluminum Crutch," remain strictly private, simply because Watson cannot find the time to write them down. This glimpse into the secret case files of England's greatest detective is just one of the fascinating tidbits included in Vincent Starrett's landmark book of Sherlockiana. A founding member of the Baker Street Irregulars, Starrett enriches his meticulous research with a true fan's delight. Whether he is discussing Arthur Conan Doyle's real-life criminal investigations or detailing the layout of 221B Baker Street and its surrounding neighborhood, Starrett's deep appreciation for the stories and their inimitable hero is infectious. Countless companion volumes to the series have been published, but none offers as much insight and entertainment as The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes does.