The Bungalow Mystery

"He had his tea as usual; when I knocked at the door with the tray (he always had afternoon tea), I found him--like this."

Dr Roger Lavington is dreading his debut performance with the village amateur dramatic society. But real-world drama takes over when Lavington's neighbour, a reclusive artist, is found murdered in his own sitting room. Also found on the scene are a lady's glove, a diamond ring, and a mysterious young woman who begs Lavington for his protection. Her safety will depend on her ability to take a role in the forthcoming village play--but is Lavington sheltering a wronged woman or a clever murderess?

The Bungalow Mystery (1923) was the first of Annie Haynes's golden age crime novels, and announced a major talent. This new edition, the first in over eighty years, features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.

"The ingredients in this story are skilfully mixed." Times

"Contrived and worked out with considerable craftsmanship--drawn with sympathy and power." Sunday Times

"Contains many cunning devices." Outlook

"The mystery is a real mystery." Guardian

"Plenty of mystery and drama." Queen

"This author has a sure hand at a crime story...strongly recommended to every type of novel reader." Liverpool Courier

About the Author
Haynes, Annie: - Annie Haynes was born in 1865, the daughter of an ironmonger. By the first decade of the twentieth century she lived in London and moved in literary and early feminist circles. Her first crime novel, The Bungalow Mystery, appeared in 1923, and another nine mysteries were published before her untimely death in 1929. Who Killed Charmian Karslake? appeared posthumously, and a further partially-finished work, The Crystal Beads Murder, was completed with the assistance of an unknown fellow writer, and published in 1930.