A "Thrilstery"

THE NORWICH VICTIMS.
By Francis Beeding.
Hodder & Stoughton.
1934. 294 pages.
Harper's. 1935. $2.00

Martin Edwards reviews a "Francis Beeding" thriller at DO YOU WRITE UNDER YOUR OWN NAME? (15 November 2013):

Having read the book before, I knew the ingenious plot twist that makes 'The Norwich Victims' so special, but I found that this did not spoil my enjoyment. Rather, I had the chance to admire the skill with which Beeding (a pen-name for two writing friends) skated over rather thin ice. I also felt that the smooth and highly readable writing style has stood the test of time.

Here's the full review from THE SATURDAY REVIEW (October 26, 1935), archived here:

Wealthy spinster and two men perish at hands of Protean killer. The Yard gits him. - No mystery about most of it and it's none too credible but the way it's told is excellent. - Verdict: Thrilstery* (*cf. brillig and slithy).

Other reactions:

For the most part, 'The Norwich Victims' is an agreeable "inverted mystery." — Darrell, THE STUDY LAMP (28 February 2012)

. . .  along with ['Death Walks in] Eastrepps,' [the joint authors'] closest approach to a formal mystery novel, it appears . . . — Curt Evans, GOLDEN AGE MYSTERIES (February 8, 2007)

THE NORWICH VICTIMS was filmed in 1939 as DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES, the original authors receiving no screen credit.

Go here for links to some three dozen reviews of other Beeding thrillers.

Category: Detective fiction