Friday 21 November 2014

NORBERT DAVIS - OH MURDERER MINE (1946)


Synopsis/blurb…….

Doan, the 'hero' of this story is a small-time detective with a dry, sardonic wit, and a huge Great Dane (Carstairs--don't call him a "pet") in these absolutely delightful series of humor-tinged mysteries. Great fun that shouldn't be missed!

In this short adventure, the duo investigate another strange murder. The story is more humor than mystery as they get into trouble with thugs and create general chaos all around them. A fine, funny way to while away a quiet weekend.

This is the original and unabridged version of this classic. A must-have for fans of classic mysteries!

Norbert Davis was an American author from Morrison, Illinois. Born 1909, he died 1949 – an apparent suicide.

I have had him on my radar for a while, but more for his Max Latin stories which appeared regularly in the magazines of the day…….Black Mask, Dime Detective, Double Detective and Argosy.

He wrote four Doan and Carstairs books of which, Oh Murderer Mine is the third. Published in 1946 it’s my read for Rich of Past Offences’ monthly meme. Click the link on the year to see who has been reading what for 1946.

Doan is a private investigator, Carstairs is his Great Dane. The duo have been engaged by the famous and much older, Heloise of Hollywood to babysit her younger and attractive husband, Eric Trent. Trent has just secured a position in the meteorology department at Breckenbridge University.

We meet Melissa Gregory, an anthropology lecturer. She’s on her way back to her offices, which she has unknowingly been evicted from in favour of Eric. This immediately brings the two into conflict. Later Melissa gets knocked out and Doan gets shot at when pursuing the culprit. After he disappears, the body of Frank Ames is discovered. Melissa was Ames’ “girlfriend”, though in truth he was more besotted by her than the reverse.

The assault on Melissa brings Humphrey, a policeman into the mix. Humphrey and Doan have previous history together, when Carstairs inflicted a public humiliation on our detective. What follows is an investigation into the murder; with Humphrey trying to arrest the first person in sight at every opportunity. We have further deaths, the involvement of a Mexican investigator who is pursuing the recovery of some stolen historical artefacts, more involvement with Trent’s wife and a look at her history and first husband.

Oh Murderer Mine was an enjoyable read, more for its humour and the clashes between the incompetent Humphrey and Doan, and the almost jaded manner in which Doan could predict his actions in advance. There was a mystery to be solved and it was, and in a fairly cohesive fashion, though it almost seemed secondary to the knockabout tone of the book. Davis also fashions an almost romance between Trent and Melissa. Almost - because for most of the book, Trent is married, albeit not happily. The author had some fun with the interaction between these two characters as well; with animosity used to conceal a spark of attraction.

I liked it, but I doubt I will be troubled enough to find more from this author in the future.

4 from 5


Acquired cheaply on Amazon kindle, where you can pick up this and the other Doan and Carstairs mysteries for less than a pound.     

10 comments:

  1. Col - I do like those 1940s PI stories. Glad you enjoyed this one well enough. May even give it a go myself.

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    1. Margot - you might actually like it with the back-drop of a university and some lecturers and academics featuring. I probably wouldn't label it as an academic mystery, but it touches upon it.

      It's short-ish 120 pages and another plus point is its relatively cheap price - so there's worse things you could waste your buck and an hour or two of your time on!

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  2. This sounds great, just the kind of thing I like. I must go and look for these bargains (when the embargo is over of course...). Great choice for 1946!

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    1. Has that embargo not ended yet.......seems like the Berlin Wall was up for a shorter period of time! Hope you enjoy...

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  3. This is a good one for 1946. I have a few of these and look forward to trying them. I don't always like humor in mysteries but the dog should be interesting. We will see.

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    1. Glad he's on your radar. I hope you enjoy Davis when you get there Tracy

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  4. Col, I have not read this series which reminds me of "Turner and Hooch" where at least the humour element is common to both.

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    1. I do like that film and you're right there are common elements. I think I have seen it a few times, its a good one for the family!

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  5. These books are free in digital on Manybooks! http://manybooks.net/authors/davisn.html I read Holocaust House. An amusing story, and very quick read is a good thing as it wasn't 'that good' but an enjoyable quick read. I was drawn to them because of the dog. I have several of them and I'll probably get around to reading them all sooner or later. Good pick Col!

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    1. Peggy, thanks for the heads-up on the site. I never knew it existed - not that I need any more books! A quick read was essential for me, and it was enjoyable enough.

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