I received this book for free from my own shelves in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: my own shelves
The Death Miser
by
John Creasey
spy thriller, vintage mystery in a Kindle edition that was published by Ipso Books on September 20, 2016 and has 232 pages.
Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include The Unbegotten, The Toff Goes On, Gideon and the Young Toughs and Other Stories, Introducing the Toff, The Peril Ahead, Redhead, Carriers of Death, First Came a Murder, Death Round the Corner, Death by Night, Sabotage, A Kind of Prisoner, The Mark of the Crescent
First in the Department Z vintage espionage thriller series set in 1930s England and revolving around a very effective British Intelligence service. The focus is on James Quinion and the duplicitous Margaret Alleyn. The Death Miser was first published in 1933.
My Take
When Creasey says “secret”, he means it. And Z agents aren’t the only secrets, for there are dual identities and criminals throughout.
The bad guys are smart in this one. Especially with that tricky drug that makes you deaf! They’re planning world domination through commodities.
This fast-paced story is full of secret rooms, macabre “warnings”, kidnappings, drugs, and more that trigger violent battles and terrifying scenes.
It’s impressive how easily Craigie can conjure up the men in an emergency!
Unfortunately, ya just can’t count on technology, no matter what decade you’re in.
And don’t forget to cherchez la femme!
The Story
Craigie gets wind of a sinister international conspiracy with millions of lives at stake if it succeeds.
James Quinion will find himself right in the line of fire—and in personal danger as he and his fellow agents investigate this brutal gang.
The Characters
The Honorable James “Jimmy” Quinion, alias James Quinn, is an agent, Number 7, in Department Z. Augustus Tally is Quinion’s valet.
Department Z is . . .
. . . formally known as British Intelligence, headquartered at Whitehall, and is headed up by Gordon Craigie, a.k.a. Z. His agents include Quinion, a society of youths, known as The New Squares, which include Reginald Chane and Peter de Lorne. I’m not sure how Felton fits in.
In Runsey, Sussex
Quinion is also nephew to the wheelchair-bound Lady Gloria of Runsey Hall. Colonel Cann, a.k.a. “Colonel Damn”, is Lady Gloria’s brother and companion who heartily disapproves of James and his easygoing lifestyle. Alice is a maid.
The Thomas Loder Cross Farm and its renter is under suspicion. Thomas Loder is also a friend to Alleyn. “Funny Face” and Chevvers are some of Loder’s men.
The Death Miser, a.k.a. Spooks, is the leader of a World Council that includes the managing director of Tunn, Son . . . Co., one of the biggest financiers in London; Brundt, the leader of the West German left-wing opposition; Julian Hatterson, who is behind a huge combine of super-markets; Martin Asterling, who is a world famous film director; Simon Hessley, who has interests everywhere and a controlling hand in three big national newspapers; and, Kretterlin is a Soviet.
Peter is an Alastian belonging to Margaret Alleyn, a.k.a. Elise Farily and Gretta, who lives at Oak Cottage with her invalid father, Arnold Alleyn.
Another Thomas is the veterinarian in Runsey. The Tavern is a popular meeting place for “Quinn” and friends. Smith, a.k.a. Archie, used to own a huge ranch in Manitoba, Canada.
In London
The Café of Clouds is a club where the Queen of the Clouds sings. Percy is a cab driver.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a black background with three men is pale gray distressed profiles at the bottom. The middle figure has an orange target sighted on his head. At the top is the author’s name in orange with the title immediately below it in white. Under this is an info blurb in orange. In the top right corner is an angled stamped label in orange with the series info.
The title is too accurate for The Death Miser is not concerned with the death that his plans will deal out.
