Anthony Wynne — "One of the Lesser Golden Age Writers"

Lesser he may have been, but more than half of Wynne's stories involved impossible crimes.

MURDER OF A LADY (1931) [a.k.a. THE SILVER SCALE MYSTERY]:

Anthony Wynne's detective novels have been out  of print for sixty years, but some retain interest today. Along with John Dickson Carr, Wynne was one of the most prominent Golden Age practitioners of the locked room mystery. Unfortunately, his novels often tend to be overly melodramatic, thinly characterized and humorless, no doubt in part explaining their obscurity today. — Curt Evans, MYSTERY*FILE (22 September 2010) [Go here for another review.]

THE CASE OF THE GOLD COINS (1933):

In this case Hailey's assistance is solicited by Captain Jack Ainger of the CID to investigate the strange death of Lord Wallace in a remote section of Northumberland. Wallace's body was found in the middle of a wide expanse of beach near his home, badly battered and bruised, with a knife driven into his back. The location of the wound and bloodstains found under the corpse prove that he died on the spot. Yet there are no footprints in the sand for many yards in any direction and no way either the murderer or the sea could have erased any. — Bill Pronzini, MYSTERY*FILE (22 September 2010)

Two murders and a treasure hoard on Barren Island keep Dr. Hailey busy by land and sea. - For action, detection, plot, and background this equals Dr. Hailey's best exploits. - Verdict: Top-hole. — THE SATURDAY REVIEW (January 20, 1934)

And don't miss Wynne's "interview" with his character:

This is Dr. Hailey's philosophy of crime. He never blames the criminal so whole-heartedly as to be unable to see and feel his tragedy. But neither does he give support to those sentimentalists who demand the relaxation of all social laws, in order that temptation to crime may nowhere exist. — Anthony Wynne, "Meet Dr. Eustace Hailey," CLASSIC CRIME FICTION

Category: Detective fiction