Gerald Verner was one of the many pen names used by John Robert Stuart Pringle (1897-1980). Other pseudonyms were Thane Leslie, Derwent Steele, Donald Stuart, and Nigel Vane. Donald Stuart was the name he used initially, writing 44 stories for the Sexton Blake Library under that identity. Verner wrote more than 120 novels, mostly mysteries and thrillers, that were translated into over 35 languages. He also wrote stage plays, radio serial programs, and movie scripts. His longest running series was about Inspector Robert Budd but he wrote two books about writer Peter Chard who lived with his sister in a village called Bishop’s Thatcham.
The first one is Thirsty Evil, first published by John Westhouse in 1945. The book opens on a garden party at the vicarage on a hot summer afternoon. The important residents of the town are present, the older ladies whispering criticism of the younger ones behind their hands. News of a fatal traffic accident disrupts the gathering and readers quickly learn the vicar’s maidservant was walking out with the victim. Distraught, she deserts her post to the great displeasure of the vicar’s wife. The vicar is unsympathetic as well and he and Chard exchange words about the lack of compassion shown the maid.
The new subject for gossip keeps the unkind tongues of the village wagging and some poison pen letters add to the turmoil. The worst of the scandalmongers turns up dead in the church, plainly murdered, and village opinions fluctuate from fear of being next to believing that justice had somehow been served. Superintendent Hockley from Wincaster, the nearest large town, arrives and takes over the investigation and learns far more about the residents of Bishop’s Thatcham than some of them want known.
Somehow I have always associated Verner with urban mysteries so the village setting is a surprise. It is beautifully portrayed, a lot like the countryside passages of Lorac’s books. The characters are each described in brief but pithy language that leaves little to the imagination. Superintendent Hockley uncovered some surprising background information about a couple of them that suggested possible motives. The plot is serviceable but not explored as fully as it could have been; the story feels not quite finished. I guessed the killer and the motive early on, which rarely happens.
This book reminds me of Christie’s The Moving Finger, which was published a few years before this one. Fans of village mysteries and poison pen themes will want to add this one to their reading lists.