Saturday, May 18, 2019




Contrary to this post-WW2 Swedish English-language edition,
Did the "Q." in Q. Patrick really stand for Quentin?
. Patrick also was Patrick Quentin















"Did you speak to him?"


nothing like this scene
happens in the novel
as I recall











  1. I had the same opinion as you on this one. It was rather a slog to get through which was a surprise coming from these writers. I haven't heard of the other book you mentioned. I guess I'll have to give it a try, though currently the only edition available at Amazon is $247. Have you ever noticed how the book you want most are ridiculously expensive, but if you splurge for one it comes out as an e-book about six months later.

    1. I sent Open Road an email about the Webb-Wheeler reissues, but I never heard back from them. I think they have brought all the Q. Patricks back in print except Club and the last one, Danger Next Door, which are the rarest. I would have been happy to have made my copy available for scanning though maybe I should hold out for selling it for a huge discount for $250. Actually my copy is in better shape than the one you're talking about, lol.

      John Norris has the same opinion of Cottage Sinister as you and I do. It's frustrating because it's one you feel really should hit it out of the park, but it doesn't. But the second one is a lot bettter, imo. I hope Open Road reprints it. There might be one issue that would cause problems for a modern day audience, which I will get into in the post.

  2. Hello Curt! I read your review of COTTAGE SINISTER with interest, but with one eye closed and skimming over the plot details, as I still want to read this story, even with your caveat. Also looking forward to your review of WOMEN'S CITY CLUB, which I found very enjoyable. Thanks so much for all of the wonderful information you've presented on the multiple writers behind the Q. Patrick/Patrick Quentin/Jonathan Stagge books!

    1. I don't believe I come remotely close to spoiling anything in my review, in fact the opening quotation from the other review has more of a spoiler than I do and that's not really a spoiler either. I suppose you, John and I are the only people in the world who own this book, lol. Even Otto Penzler doesn't have it, apparently!

    2. Murder at the Women's City Club, I mean.

    3. Hello, and sorry for the late response to your reply; work has been all-consuming this week. I wish I owned WOMEN'S CITY CLUB, but I was grateful to get it from the college interlibrary loan system. It's a title that is well worth a reprint! As for your spoiler-free COTTAGE SINISTER post, it undoubtedly is. I'm the type of person who likes to approach a mystery knowing absolutely nothing about the plot, if possible. That even includes the basic set-up, a la "Sir Carleton is found murdered in his study with a curious clue on the table beside him." I want to be surprised by victim, locale, and clue if possible. That's what I meant by skimming over the details; that's just reflexive on my part! All best -- J.

  3. I never bothered finishing this one. I loathed the chit-chat dialogue in the first chapter. Everyone seemed such ninnies. Maybe I should give it another try. I did however, fully enjoy ...WOMEN'S CITY CLUB. I may own the only copy of the UK 1st which has the alternate title DEATH IN THE DOVECOT, a metaphoric title that doesn't really suit the book or its story.

    1. No, the authors mention "dovecot" twice in the book (or dovecote), but it doesn't really suit, does it, despite being more alliterative. Who was the English publisher? I think there was a lot of improvement between the first and second books.