"The Avenging Chance" by Anthony Berkeley (1929)

A complimentary box of chocolates leads to tragedy.

Story Review: "The Avenging Chance" is the original kernel of Anthony Berkeley's much expanded novel The Poisoned Chocolates Case (1929). In both a man's wife dies after inadvertently receiving a poisoned box of chocolates. The novel has a different solution than the short story (and different character names). In fact, the novel lavishly provides no less than six reasonable explanations to the mystery, including the resolution from "The Avenging Chance," which is one of the "wrong" theories. Unlike the novel, the story is short, concise, and to the point, efficiently wrapping up a perfect enigma. Oddly, the story and the novel were published the same year, but the novel though written second was apparently published first. A shame since the story provides a sort of red herring for the novel. In a more perfect world "The Avenging Chance" and The Poisoned Chocolates Case would always be published together.  [4★]

Two-Way Murder by E.C.R. Lorac (2021)

A previously unpublished novel presenting murder in the fog on a rural road near the south coast of England.

Mystery Review: Two-Way Murder was apparently written around 1956, but "lost" until it was published by the British Library in 2021 as by E.C.R. Lorac (1884-1958), although she'd planned to use the name "Mary Le Bourne." Thanks to Martin Edwards for his helpful Introduction. This novel doesn't feature either of her long time series detectives Inspector Macdonald or Julian Rivers. Instead we have a duo of Inspector Turner and Inspector Waring from the local police, making it the odd standalone for Lorac (or her alter ego, Carol Carnac). The novel appears at least somewhat unfinished in that it could have used a final good editing to remove the last-draft evidences. Two-Way Murder also desperately needed a map of the region as much of the novel consists of repeatedly driving though a maze of roads and country lanes in a way that quickly becomes complicated. The novel was a step forward for Lorac in technique. She uses a shifting narrator or "detective," turning from Macbane to Waring to feisty housekeeper Alice Ridley, all of whom dig into the mystery. She also uses sets of "doubles," balancing the Rosemary Reeve a powerful and terrible termagant with Dilys Maine, the quiet and obedient. There's also Inspector Turner who operates by the book, one step at a time, in comparison and contrast with Inspector Waring who's instinctive and holistic. Two-Way Murder is a clever mystery, with an interesting cast of characters, family difficulties and a little romance along with a theme on the ethics of withholding information from the police. This fits well with the work of the Golden Age group Allingham, Christie, Marsh, and Sayers, and perhaps others like Christianna Brand, Gladys Mitchell, and Mary Roberts Rinehart are due for a rediscovery. And that's just the women! Lorac's books are a little less tidy and tight than Christie's, but she can certainly be spoken about in the greater list of UK (and US) mystery writers.  [4★]

Murder by Matchlight by E.C.R. Lorac (1945)

A ghostly murderer strikes during a blackout in wartime London.

Mystery Review: Murder by Matchlight has Chief Inspector Macdonald (in his 26th book) investigating a murder that occurred in front of witnesses of a victim who doesn't exist. E.C.R. Lorac (1894-1958) vividly captures the war's effects on London, the Blitz and combined feelings of fear and defiance, the blackouts and sudden deaths and bombed-out streets. This isn't simply a setting but inextricably intertwined with the stories of the characters' lives and integral to the mystery itself. There are a lot of coincidences in this rather Baroque mystery well balanced by the interesting and idiosyncratic characters. In Murder by Matchlight we learn that Macdonald was an Oxford man as were so many of his detecting peers, such as Wimsey, Fell, and Alleyn. As usual Lorac also brings forth a philosophical theme for the reader to ponder while reading, here the validity of vigilantism. Whether it's ever acceptable to take the law into our own hands, whether the death of a bad person is no loss, whether the end justifies the means. In each of her books Lorac develops a moral issue for consideration. Her books always begin better than they end and there are some clumsy moments in Murder by Matchlight -- Lorac's plots are never as tidy as Christie's, but whose are, anyway. This volume also includes a very short story by Lorac from 1953, "Permanent Policeman," that turns on a matter of hairdressing that's less revelatory and relevant now, and has been used by others since.  [3½★]

A Taste for Poison by Neil Bradbury (2022)

An accessible and entertaining handbook and history of eleven toxins.

Nonfiction Review: A Taste for Poison is a book one may feel somewhat self-conscious about reading, especially if you have an elderly but wealthy great-uncle in Michigan. This is a perfect companion guidebook for mystery readers. Bradbury acknowledges Agatha Christie several times, noting that she used one poison alone (cyanide) to kill off eighteen characters in her books. Being a "trained and certified pharmacist during World War I" prepared her well for such plot twists. A Taste for Poison is a quick read and includes numerous true-crime recapitulations of the many notorious poisonings of history, including the Borgias (though not Socrates). Some examples ripped from recent headlines. A section is included explaining in granular detail how each poison works at the molecular level in the organs, as well as the symptoms and visible effects (some horrific) on the body. Readers will be able to determine the accuracy of the narrative descriptions of poisonings by their favorite crime authors. Budding mystery writers will find this invaluable. Also mentioned in passing is the "poison garden" of Alnwick Castle in Northumberland (owned by the 12th Duke thereof) which contains "more than one hundred different species of deadly plants." Although hemlock wasn't mentioned in the book I'm sure it's in the garden. In the past, poisonings were often attributed to natural causes such as infectious diseases with similar symptoms. Unfortunately, even in suspicious cases there was no way to detect the presence of poison. Now, however, examiners can determine both the presence and quantity of poison in a body. Bradbury asserts that murder by poison is rarer now, but still occurs although "the likelihood of getting away with such murders in the present day is almost nonexistent." Whew! A Taste for Poison is simultaneously informative, light hearted, and horrifying. Photographs are included. With numerous additional toxins available, there's the opportunity for a sequel.  [5★]

Loaded by Dylan Jones (2023)

An oral history of the legendary Velvet Underground.

Nonfiction Review: Loaded reminded me of the best quote ever about a rock band: "Only a thousand people bought the first Velvet Underground album, but every one of them started a group." That just about says it all. Loaded is a book (sort of) about that influential band. Subtitled "The Life (and Afterlife) of the Velvet Underground," Dylan Jones is more interested, obsessed with even, in Andy Warhol and his coterie -- as if Jones had written a biography of Warhol, couldn't sell it, and so overhauled it as an account of the VU. Of course Lou Reed will get an outsize number of pages, he was the heart of the band. John Cale warrants even more space than given here. Even Nico, who sang lead on just three songs on one album, is worthy of a fair share of attention. But I wish more pages in Loaded had been devoted to the music, the songs, the sound, the albums, and the people who created it all instead of the hangers-on at the Factory. But if you're an Andy Warhol acolyte (and he deserves them) then this will please you no end. If you're looking for more on Sterling Morrison, Moe Tucker, and the Yule brothers there's not as much as you might've hoped. There's not even enough good gossip, despite this being an oral history with periodic notes by Jones giving context and history. There's also a quite a few inaccuracies and incorrect facts (e.g., Jimmy Page did not replace Eric Clapton in the Yardbirds). Loaded is good enough for what it is, but a great band deserves a great biography.  [3½★]