Dr. Westlake Books

The country doctor takes his sleuthing into the spiritual realm when otherworldly goings-on strike close to home in this classic Golden Age mystery. Summer finds Dr. Hugh Westlake taking over another doctor’s patients and living in his house. His next-door neighbors are a wealthy and influential family in the community, including leading investment banker Bruce Bannister. And soon, Hugh is drawn into quite the family drama . . . A nurse has joined the Bannisters to take care of the ailing Bruce. Not only is she the niece of his late first wife, but she’s a psychic to boot. When one of her séances leads to Bruce’s death, it’s by a most unnatural cause: poison, pointing to either suicide or murder. As Hugh investigates this bizarre mystery, another one soon unfolds. He’s attacked by someone outside of their house in a thoroughly macabre manner: his neck is bitten. Now Hugh has to resurrect ghosts from the family’s past to uncover the truth about a potential murderer, a possible vampire, and a snake in the grass . . . “Spiritualism and a maniac provide high scented red herrings. Suspense well-handled and solution satisfactory.” — Kirkus Reviews

A Golden Age mystery featuring a sleuthing small-town doctor who’s out of his depth as a killer haunts a waning New England summer. On vacation with his daughter on the New England coast, Dr. Hugh Westlake is enjoying the sun, the sea, and the fishing. Being September, the inn where they’re staying is almost empty, except for a few other guests. But the peace is shattered when a woman’s body is found strangled on the beach, with a red circle drawn around a mole on her face. The morbid scene becomes more so when she’s identified as the governess of a family staying at the inn. Hugh gets drafted by local law enforcement to help with the investigation. He uncovers dysfunctional parents, a creepy mortician, a handsome lifeguard, and a woman painter—all with secrets to hide. Not to mention local legends. When another woman is murdered, with another mole circled, Hugh realizes there’s a madman on the loose. And he must tie up the loose ends of crimes past and present to net a most diabolical killer. “Stagge has packed some excellent reading between the opening and closing chapters.” — Chicago Sun “An exciting and grisly yarn.” — New York Herald Tribune “A fine entry in one of the better American amateur detective novel series.” — Pretty Sinister Books “One of the year’s supreme morsels. It has everything the exemplary detective story should possess.” — Worcester Telegram

Dr. Hugh Westlake investigates murder in a powerful family, by the Edgar Award–winning author who wrote the Peter Duluth Mysteries as Patrick Quentin. Patrick Quentin, best known for the Peter Duluth puzzle mysteries, also penned outstanding detective novels from the 1930s through the 1960s under other pseudonyms, including Q. Patrick and Jonathan Stagge. Anthony Boucher wrote: “Quentin is particularly noted for the enviable polish and grace which make him one of the leading American fabricants of the murderous comedy of manners; but this surface smoothness conceals intricate and meticulous plot construction as faultless as that of Agatha Christie.” The entire town is at sixes and sevens with the homecoming of the Hilton family, whose ancestor, Benjamin, left the village of Kenmore ages ago and eventually rose to become vice president of the United States. Now the Hiltons have returned—not that they’re particularly happy about it, if their rather standoffish attitude is any clue. But even such a highly regarded family has its secrets. And when their aged nanny dies under mysterious circumstances, Westlake is asked by Inspector Cobb to step beyond his role as local coroner and conduct a clandestine investigation into the Hilton household. Such a task won’t be easy, as other branches of the family arrive and expand Westlake’s list of possible suspects. But he’s not about to let a possible murder go unsolved, no matter how blue the blood being spilled . . .

12mo size hardcover

Dr. Hugh Westlake and his daughter, Dawn, help a diva in danger, by the Edgar Award–winning author who wrote the Peter Duluth Mysteries as Patrick Quentin. Patrick Quentin, best known for the Peter Duluth puzzle mysteries, also penned outstanding detective novels from the 1930s through the 1960s under other pseudonyms, including Q. Patrick and Jonathan Stagge. Anthony Boucher wrote: “Quentin is particularly noted for the enviable polish and grace which make him one of the leading American fabricants of the murderous comedy of manners; but this surface smoothness conceals intricate and meticulous plot construction as faultless as that of Agatha Christie.” At the behest of a friend, country doctor Hugh Westlake retires to Bittern’s Bay—a ritzy New England resort—for a holiday with his daughter, Dawn. The place is abuzz with the presence of legendary actress Daphne Winters, who has with her a coterie of young actresses she hopes to mentor. The divine Daphne soon finds her star dimmed with the arrival of Lucy Milliken, who was once her understudy and has since usurped Daphne’s role as America’s sweetheart. Almost immediately, Westlake can see both cats sharpening their claws. Then, one of Daphne’s wards is struck down by poison—one of the actress’s greatest fears. And when recurring incidents play upon her other fears of fire and closed spaces, it seems she has been singled out for murder. With a full cast of suspects, it’s up to Dr. Westlake to shine a spotlight on a killer—before it’s curtains for Daphne Winters.