John Bentley (1) (1908–1998)

I found this book an a 7-8’ shelf I inherited from my parents. It came with its own collection of books. My Mom was a huge reader of books and she had a wide taste in subjects. I’ve added to it over the years so it is quite eclectic. Some books I’ve read, some I haven’t. This is one of I haven’t.

Marlow is a private inquiry agent. Shadowing, divorces, getting evidence, mostly civil stuff. Once in a while he may get a criminal case. This is one of those times.

Seems a man named Frank Nash is suspected of killing his wife — his second wife. Marlow gets a call from Chief Inspector Short of Scotland Yard, looking for a little information on Nash. Marlow did the footwork for the first Mrs. Ash when she suspected her husband was playing around and she wanted a divorce.

When Marlow got back to his office, the first Mrs. Nash was waiting for him. She was worried about her ex. She also had some information about her ex that could suggest Nash wasn’t guilty of the murder. That someone else was.

Written in the early 1940s, the book reads like American mysteries of that era. Even some of the language and attitudes are there. The interesting bit is that it takes place in England. Marlow has the secretary, Miss Bates, who keeps things together while Marlow is out on a case or he’s playing the ponies, or having a few drinks. Marlow talks and acts like the P.I.s in some of the books and movies from the era.

I did a little research on the author and book and found that it did come from the “Golden Era” of detective stories that coincided with that period in America, and also the books are hard to find now. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and hope to find more of John Bentley’s books.… (meer)