A CASEBOOK OF CRIME Copy

The Big Push and Legend of Sir Morleans’ Lost Pearls

When a distinguished London barrister confides in private detective Henry von Stray about the family secrets and legends of a Baroness—revered for her service as a spy on behalf of the Crown during the Great War—von Stray and his trusted companion Professor John Dilpate are forced to leave their comfortable Berkeley Street lodgings and take on what promises to be their most baffling and intriguing case yet.

The Case of the Illustrious Banker

An ingenious adversary has private detective Henry von Stray and his able collaborator in the detection of crime Professor John Dilpate, up against a nippy bit of work when Inspector Renyalds of Scotland Yard enlists them to unravel the puzzling mystery behind the locked-room murder of a notorious bank president.

A Little Birdie Tells Von Stray

When a beautiful young heiress of a high-ranking British official is found brutally murdered in a locked wine cellar, clutching a mysterious dying clue, private detective Henry von Stray and his trusted companion Professor John Dilpate must solve one impossible puzzle after another before they can execute von Stray’s brilliant ruse to catch the ruthless killer.

Von Stray and the Five-Fingered Fraudster

A perchance encounter with a Special Agent of His Majesty’s Customs Service results in private detective Henry von Stray and his colleague Professor John Dilpate suddenly finding themselves thrust into a race against time as they attempt to thwart the nefarious scheme of a criminal master-mind determined to outfox the Crown.

. . .

“Recovering the first [von Stray] story was a brilliant find, but continuing the series reveals a different kind of brilliance. More than mimicry or some elevated form of pastiche, these von Stray stories—one by John McAleer, three now by Andrew—strike me as true collaborations, the father as a young boy and son as a grown man speaking with one shining voice.” 

~ Edgar-winner Art Taylor

(From the Introduction to A Casebook of Crime)

“Andrew McAleer’s light-hearted Henry von Stray extravaganzas give fresh life to characters first created by his Edgar-winning father John more than eighty-five years ago – quite something!”  

~ Martin Edwards, Diamond Dagger recipient,

Edgar Award-winner, President of the Detection Club

“Von Stray lives on! Fans and aficionados of Golden Age detective fiction are in for a real treat with this unique anthology from Edgar Allan Poe award winner, the late John McAleer and his award-winning son Andrew featuring the intrepid private detective Henry von Stray and his jaunty sidekick Professor John Dilpate. What makes this collection so exciting is that Andrew has taken up his father’s mantle and continued the von Stray legacy, flawlessly capturing the style, tone, and essence of the original with a seamless transition. McAleer has infused new life into the legendary sleuthing duo with the trademark wit, clever puzzles, and plot twists that are so deliciously satisfying. Even better, we’re told there are more von Stray adventures to come. I just can’t wait.”

~ Hannah Dennison, author of The Honeychurch Hall Mysteries Series

A Casebook of Crime is the ultimate treat for mystery readers—a McAleer father-and-son collaboration of four brilliant, authentic mysteries from another era. Every Henry von Stray story is witty, clever, and—above all—entertaining. I loved this book!

~ John M. Floyd, Shamus- and Derringer Award-winning author

“John McAleer’s classic detective Henry von Stray is truly fun, an entertaining revisit to mystery stories of another era. Inventively written, in a solid, energetic style. Witty, classic and far too long kept secreted away.” 

~ Tom Sawyer, Best-selling novelist, screenwriter, playwright,

Showrunner/Head Writer of Murder, She Wrote