A striking figure with reddish-blonde eyebrows and blue eyes, Diamondstone’s size and stature masked his agility and elegance. He used his background in magic and puzzle-solving abilities to solve mysteries, as well as his fists. Diamonstone had a black manservant, Absalom, who was his only confidant; a relationship quite unusual for the time period. One of the trademarks of Diamondstone was that he had a fondness for peanuts, and was always cracking the shells.

This collection contains all six of the Diamondstone stories penned by G.T. Fleming-Roberts, a top-drawer pulp writer of the era. Each of the stories in this collection is fun to read, often stylish, and extremely well written compared to other pulp from this era. Here is an overview of some highlights:

CRIME CONDUCTOR — This story first appeared in Popular Detective in March 1937. In it the persona of Diamondstone was set. Big yet agile, suave but always cracking peanut shells, Diamondstone was a wealthy, retired magician/illusionist who turned to crime solving as a hobby. Diamondstone’s relationship with his employee and confidant Absalom is introduced. Absalom will in fact get Diamondstone and the young and small Kitty Marris out of a jam in this tale. The story revolves around a stamp which seems to take the life of anyone who owns it. A ring Diamondstone wears which has a magnet in it comes in very handy in this one.

THE BROTHERS OF DOOM — A woman claims her husband, Jack Lowrey, is acting crazy, and Diamondstone soon discovers she’s not just whistling Dixie! But then he’s murdered, and Diamondstone must infiltrate the city’s underworld by going to work at the Gun Club as their new card man. There is some nice business about toy soldiers and an exciting finale to this one.

THE BUDDAH WHISPERS — The suicide of a young woman with child who has been swindled by a charlatan named Dal Rama. When attorney John Wren asks Diamondstone to lend a hand in Meadow City, he can hardly refuse. Before a man named Helm can change his will in this one, he’s murdered. But how does it all tie in with Dal?

THE MURDER OF THE MARIONETTE — This story first appeared in Popular Detective in August of 1938. Diamondstone has traveled to Mayfair Beach, Florida at the request of pretty Niki Charles, who fears for her life but doesn’t have any evidence to back up the claim. But the phone call Diamondstone receives upon arrival, warning him to leave, tells the detective/magician that she’s right. It seems Niki and her brother separately answered an ad for those “utterly alone in the world” and it turned into a job selling products door-to-door. But then her brother is killed in a strange accident.

There is some good plotting and the action moves swiftly without losing any atmosphere. There is a body at the bottom of a pool, a murdered marionette puppet, and then another murder before Diamondstone gets to the bottom of a complicated racket involving insurance. There is also a hint of a continuing romance between Diamondstone and Niki.

THREE WISE APES — This one is wonderful, with loads of exotic atmosphere, a ton of derring-do, and a truly romantic ending involving Diamondstone rescuing Niki, who has been mistaken for another girl. There is a loose end left in this one which promised more exploits for Diamondstone, and a heightening of the romance between Diamondstone and Niki which makes it a shame there were no further Diamondstone stories.

Overall, I found this to be a fabulous early pulp series that is colorful, action-filled, and very stylish. Great stuff for fans of early pulp that is well written. Definitely a cut above a lot of stuff out there, because G.T. Fleming-Roberts was one of the best pulp writers from this era. Highly recommended for fans of early pulp. ( )