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A series of novels starring Max Afford's private detective, Jeffrey Blackburn. Three pre-date the radio series starring Blackburn, and one is an adaptation of one of the radio serials.
Afford also wrote some short stories involving his private detectives, which are also listed here.
Includes
- y Blood on His Hands! : A Detective Novel London : John Long , 1936 Z814313 1936 single work novel detective 'Chief Inspector William Read, now working for the Police Department in Victoria, Australia, once again enlists the help of his old friend, freelance sleuth Jeffery Blackburn, to help him solve the grisly murder of High Court Judge, Sir Merton Tenison Sheldon, in Melbourne...' - back cover, Ramble House ed.
-
y
Death's Mannikins : Being a Sober Account of Certain Diabolical Happenings Not Untinged with the Odour of Brimstone Which Befell a Respectable Family Living at Exmoor in This Present Year
Death Plays with Dolls
London
:
John Long
,
1937
Z814316
1937
single work
novel
detective
horror
thriller
'Freelance sleuth Jeffery Blackburn is called in by friend Rollo Morgan when there is a strange death at Rochester House, mansion home of occult scholar Cornelius Rochester. Blackburn learns of a set of mannikins modelled on the occupants of the house. Before long, it becomes clear that whoever receives 'their' mannikin will certainly die. Everyone in the house is a suspect.'
Source: Publisher's blurb
-
y
The Dead Are Blind : A 'Jeffery Blackburn' Adventure
London
:
John Long
,
1937
Z814319
1937
single work
novel
detective
'Described as the "Extraordinary Case of Sound Without Sight," this is an involved story of three murders, the first of which was committed In a locked broadcasting studio during the production of a radio play. The plot is ingenious and its Investigators are led on many false trails before arriving at the solution. Interesting details of radio production are given by Mr. Afford, who, by the way, is a playwright employed by the Australian Broadcasting Commission.'
Source:
'Book Reviews in Brief', The Argus, 4 December 1937, p.17 [weekend magazine].
- y Fly by Night : A Jeffery Blackburn Adventure London : John Long , 1942 Z814322 1942 single work novel detective 'A series of daring jewel thefts, each preceded by a written warning. . . The discovery of a new formula for a chemical able to replace petrol at a fraction of the cost. Then another warning threatening the theft of that formula by a mysterious criminal who wear a billowing costume and a sinister bird-like mask. . . Then the bodies start piling up! The public are suddenly aware of the nefarious nocturnal crimes of the Owl, who seems to be able to appear and vanish at will in the mansions of the wealthy. Chief Inspector William Read of New Scotland Yard conscripts freelance sleuth Jeffery Blackburn to assist him in tackling this eerie mystery. There are suspects aplenty in the home of wealthy baronet Atherton-Wayne. Can Read and Blackburn clip the wings of the Owl before it's too late?' - Back cover, Ramble House ed.
-
y
The Sheep and the Wolves
Sydney
:
Frank Johnson
,
1947
Z814541
1947
single work
novel
detective
'In the 1930s [sic] suspense novel the private investigator is hitting the bottle a little too hard and consequently having trouble keeping his wife, Elizabeth, content. But when a major case of murder snares him it adds just the right amount of danger to save his marriage. All he has to do is find out who strangled the Greek, Cassamatis, with a silken cord and determine whose bullet is found lodged in the back of a sultry dame. All in a day's work for the PI and his friend, Chief Inspector William Read.'
source: Publisher's blurb (Ramble House edition).
-
y
The Vanishing Trick
Australia
:
Project Gutenberg Australia
,
2014
12972503
1948
single work
short story
crime
Based on Afford's earlier radio play, one of the adventures of Elizabeth and Jeffrey Blackburn.
-
Poison Can Be Puzzling
1944
single work
short story
detective
— Appears in: The Australian Women's Weekly , 12 February 1944; (p. 2, 18-19) Two Locked-Room Mysteries and a Ripping Yarn 2008; Jeffrey and Elizabeth Blackburn are pulled away from a evening out at the cinema when Chief Inspector Read reveals a plot to murder a crooked financier.