Death Finds a Foothold
By Glyn Carr

Snowdonia is swarming with mountaineers on the January weekend that a group of cadets is conducting training maneuvers and the venerable Foothold Club is holding its annual dinner meet. Sir Abercrombie Lewker is naturally on hand, with Detective Inspector George Grimmett as his guest, and no sooner have they arrived than they are shown a threatening letter received by the club’s president. Later, just as the apprehensive Grimmett has gained his first summit, a club member perishes in a climbing accident—one that might be related to another one decades earlier on the Matterhorn. But it soon develops that the accident was really murder, and once again Lewker and Grimmett swing into action in a case so full of red herrings that only Lewker has any confidence that it will eventually be solved. First published in 1961, it’s often ranked as the best in the “Filthy” Lewker series.

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She Shall Have Murder
By Delano Ames

For years people have been telling Jane Hamish that her work as a clerk in a law firm must be so interesting that she should write a book about it. So she decides to write a thriller, with help, of course, from her boyfriend Dagobert Brown, who is fortunately unemployed and so has ample time to investigate when one of the firm’s clients, old Mrs. Robjohn, dies from gas inhalation in her lonely room. Meanwhile, Jane keeps tabs on her co-workers and eventually becomes convinced that the old lady, who was certain she was being stalked, was actually murdered.Originally published in 1948, it’s the first in a delightful series of comedic mysteries featuring this most engaging detecting duo.   

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Tom Brown's Body
By Gladys Mitchell

Mrs. Beatrice Bradley came to the village of Spey to interview the local witch but ended up investigating a murder when an unpopular junior history master at the local boys’ school is found dead. Gerald Conway was universally disliked by both masters and students, so finding his murderer proves a daunting task indeed, but Mrs. Bradley is more than up to it, especially given her great fondness for and understanding of young boys. Further, she’s able to work with her favorite nephew, Detective Inspector David Gavin, who is called in from Scotland Yard to investigate. Together they uncover a nest of rivalries and secrets among the staff, more than one of whom has ample reason to want Conway dead. 

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Shadow on the Wall
By H.C. Bailey

Lady Rosnay has insisted that Reginald Fortune attend her fancy dress ball, but the merriment is disrupted when the old lady takes a tumble down the stairs and loses her diamond tiara. She is strangely unruffled by the incident, which intrigues Reggie, who is also almost certain she was pushed. But the mischief is just getting under way. Two murders follow, and Reggie, along with his friend Lomas, head of Scotland Yard’s C.I.D., begin investigating in earnest. Their suspects include Simon Osmond, a rising young politician whose plans to marry Lady Rosnay’s niece, Alix Lynn, have been vetoed by the imperious old lady, as well as the headstrong Alix herself.

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The Crooked Hinge
By John Dickson Carr

Twenty-five years ago John Farnleigh, the heir to the baronetcy of Mallingford and Sloane, then a young and wild boy exiled to America, survived the sinking of the Titanic. It’s now 1937,  two years after he returned to England to claim his inheritance. Only is he really the heir? Another man has just shown up also claiming to be John Farnleigh, explaining that, as boys, the two men switched identities as the ship was sinking. The key to solving the mystery lies with an old set of fingerprints taken by young Farnleigh’s tutor. But before the two men’s fingerprints can be compared one member of the household has his throat cut in plain sight by an unseen hand. First published in 1938, The Crooked Hinge is considered one of the best books by the acknowledged master of the locked room and impossible crime.

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The Judas Window
By Carter Dickson

Only young James Answell could have committed the murder. After all, he was found unconscious in the locked room next to the body of the murdered man. His clothes were disheveled from an apparent struggle. His fingerprints were found on the murder weapon, an arrow from  the victim’s collection. Furthermore, he was heard arguing with the dead man, whose daughter he wished to marry. Just about everyone is convinced that James is headed for a date with the hangman. Everyone except Sir Henry Merrivale, H.M. to his friends and associates. He’s convinced that the real murderer used a “Judas window” to commit the crime. First published in 1938, The Judas Window is  considered by many to be the best locked room mystery of all time. Carter Dickson is, of course, the pseudonym of John Dickson Carr, the universally acknowledged grand master of the form.

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