{"product_id":"smallbone-deceased-a-london-mystery-9781464211713","title":"Smallbone Deceased: A London Mystery","description":"\u003ch2\u003eSmallbone Deceased: A London Mystery\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiscover the captivating treasures buried in the British Library's archives. Largely inaccessible to the public until now, these enduring classics were written in the golden age of detective fiction.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"A first-rate job\"\u003c\/strong\u003e--\u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"A classic of the genre\"\u003c\/strong\u003e--\u003cem\u003eGuardian\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eA British Legal Mystery Classic\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHorniman, Birley and Craine is a highly respected legal firm with clients drawn from the highest in the land. When a deed box in the office is opened to reveal a corpse, the threat of scandal promises to wreak havoc on the firm's reputation--especially as the murder looks like an inside job. The partners and staff of the firm keep a watchful and suspicious eye on their colleagues, as Inspector Hazlerigg sets out to solve the mystery of who Mr. Smallbone was--and why he had to die.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGolden Age Detective Fiction at Its Finest\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSince its initial publication in 1950, \u003cem\u003eSmallbone Deceased\u003c\/em\u003e has been lauded as a perfect British mystery as well as a historical fiction bestseller. Written with style, pace, and wit, this is a masterpiece by one of the finest writers of traditional British crime books since the Second World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePart of the British Library Crime Classics Collection\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis edition brings a long-lost gem back to readers, preserving the authentic atmosphere and intricate plotting that made golden age detective fiction so beloved. The London setting and legal backdrop provide an authentic glimpse into post-war British society, while the tightly-woven mystery keeps readers guessing until the final revelation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMichael Gilbert (1912-2006) wrote thrillers, police procedurals and espionage novels that rank among the highest and most varied achievements of British crime writing in the second half of the twentieth century. A founding member of the Crime Writers' Association, Gilbert was for many years partner in a London law firm and drew on his knowledge of the law in writing his most acclaimed novel.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Poisoned Pen Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50680951996690,"sku":"9781464211713","price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_12547a0a-08dd-480b-aa57-2c0afbbd86b2.jpg?v=1733946391","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/smallbone-deceased-a-london-mystery-9781464211713","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}