THE NOTTING HILL MYSTERY

Naperville, Illinois, U.S.A.: Poisoned Pen Press, 2015. Fine, as new copy. Paperback. Introduction by Mike Ashley. The Notting Hill Mystery was first published between 1862 and 1863 as an eight-part serial in the magazine "Once a Week." Widely acknowledged as the first detective novel, the story is told by insurance investigator Ralph Henderson, who is building a case against the sinister Baron R-, who is suspected of murdering his wife. Henderson descends into a maze of intrigue including a diabolical mesmerist, kidnapping by gypsies, slow-poisoners, a rich uncle's will and three murders. Presented in the form of diary entries, letters, chemical analysis reports, interviews with witnesses and a crime scene map, the novel displays innovative techniques that would not become common features of detective fiction until the 1920s.. Reprint. Pictorial Wrappers. New. Illus. by Andrews, Chris. Book.