My Book Notes: Come to Paddington Fair (1997) by Derek Smith

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Locked Room International, 2015. Book Format: Kindle Edition. File Size: 816 KB. Print Length: 262 pages. ASIN: B012ELL0OW. ISBN: N/A. First published in 1997

Synopsis: The death scene of a West End play goes horribly wrong in front of a matinee audience to which someone has invited a Scotland Yard inspector and his detective friend. But was the heroine shot by the stage gun fired by her jealous lover, or by the mystery man alone in a stage-side box? Apparently neither could have done it… Impossibility is piled on impossibility in the extraordinary plot which contains a new twist in every chapter. Derek Smith’s second novel — which The Washington Post called “a masterpiece” — was written around the time of his debut, Whistle Up the Devil, but remained unpublished until a Japanese fan arranged for a small print run in that country towards the turn of the century. Thankfully, LRI has been able to correct this oversight, and the novel is also available as part of the Derek Smith Omnibus, containing all his known writings.

My Take: Richard Mervan, an ordinary bank clerk, turned into a hero for one day when he prevented a thief from stealing him a briefcase with the bank’s money. The judo lessons he received in the Army proved to be very useful. However, he only received patting on his back and good words from his superiors when he was expecting a lot more. A friendly smile form a female co-worker, helped him overcome his natural shyness and provided him with the necessary strength to ask her out on a date. What begun with a kiss, ended with murder.

Later on, Chief Inspector Steve Castle visits Mervan in his prison cell, in an unofficial visit. Mervan never denied his involvement in the bank robbery. He was caught, he confessed and he was convicted. However, the case intrigued Inspector Castle form the beginning, and he is not a man who likes to leave loose ends. After the robbery, Mervan was double-crossed, knocked on the head and abandoned. Castle suspects a girl name Lesley Barre also participated in the robbery. She had worked for a while as a typist at the bank. In fact she left the bank some time before the robbery and disappeared leaving no trace. But Mervan will not breathe a single word. Only when Castle  can no longer hear him, he mumbles to himself: Lesley, my love, I’ll find you and I’ll kill you.

Its been several years since then when Inspector Castle receives an anonymous envelope with two invitations for the matinée performance of The Final Trophy at the Janus Theatre. Hence, he asks his friend Algy Lawrence to accompany him. The weirdest  thing about all this is the mysterious message which came along with the tickets. It read: “Come to Paddington Fair.” What they didn’t expect was to witness an impossible murder that is going to take place on stage during the final scene, before an audience that filed the theatre.

As far as I’m concerned, you can count me in the camp of those who believe that Come to Paddington Fair not only lives up to the expectations created by Whistle Up the Devil, but even exceeds them in some aspects. I admit that halfway  through the story the action might slow down a bit, but this is a minor flaw. In any case, the characterization is first rate, and the setting fits very well into the plot. If we add an outstanding denouement, the result could not be more favourable. Highly recommended.

Note: Of interest to readers, The Derek Smith Omnibus includes a number of short pieces by people who knew Derek Smith and worked with him, including Hidetoshi Mori, who originally published Come to Paddington Fair in a very limited print in Japan in 1997. (Source: At the Scene of the Crime)

Come to Paddington Fair has been reviewed, among others by Christine Poulson at A Reading Life, TomCat at Beneath the Stains of Time, Patrick At the Scene of the Crime, Aidan at Mysteries Ahoy!, SuddenlyathisResidence at Suddenly at His Residence, thegreencapsule at The Green Capsule, Steve Barge at In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel,

About the Author: Little is known of the life of Derek Howe Smith. (1926-2002) Smith is reported to have lived a reclusive life, with his mother, on the outskirts of London, in a house so filled with books it was imminent danger of collapse. Whistle Up The Devil was long considered to be his only literary effort and one of the greatest locked room mysteries. Since his death it has been discovered that he published another work in an obscure Japanese mystery magazine, now published as Come to Paddington Fair, and an unpublished manuscript Model for Murder, now both included in The Derek Smith Omnibus published by Locked Room International.

Locked Room International publicity page

Derek Smith at Golden Age of Detection Wiki

Five to Try – Non-Carr impossible murders by Jim Noy

Ven a la Feria de Paddington (originally: Come to Paddington Fair), de Derek Smith

Sinopsis: La escena de un asesinato en una obra de teatro del West End sale terriblemente mal frente a una audiencia de mañana a la que alguien ha invitado a un inspector de Scotland Yard y a su amigo detective. Pero, ¿fue la heroína asesinada por el arma del escenario disparada por su amante celoso, o por el solitario hombre misterioso del palco al lado del escenario? Aparentemente ninguno de los dos podría haberlo hecho… una Imposibilidad tras otra se amontonan en la extraordinaria trama que contiene un nuevo giro en cada capítulo. La segunda novela de Derek Smith, que The Washington Post calificó como “una obra maestra”, fue escrita en la época de su debut, Whistle Up the Devil, pero permaneció inédita hasta que un admirador japonés financió una pequeña tirada en ese país hacia finales de siglo. Afortunadamente, Locked Room International ha podido corregir este descuido, y la novela está también disponible en las Obras Completas de Derek Smith, que contiene todos sus escritos conocidos.

Mi opinión: Richard Mervan, un empleado de banco común y corriente, se convirtió en un héroe por un día cuando evitó que un ladrón le robara un maletín con el dinero del banco. Las lecciones de judo que recibió en el Ejército le resultaron muy útiles. Sin embargo, solo recibió palmaditas en la espalda y buenas palabras de sus superiores cuando esperaba mucho más. Una sonrisa amistosa de una compañera de trabajo lo ayudó a superar su timidez natural y le dio la fuerza necesaria para invitarla a salir. Lo que comenzó con un beso, terminó con un asesinato.

Más tarde, el inspector jefe Steve Castle visita a Mervan en su celda de la prisión, en una visita no oficial. Mervan nunca negó su participación en el robo del banco. Lo atraparon, confesó y lo condenaron. Sin embargo, el caso intrigó al inspector Castle desde el principio, y no es un hombre al que le guste dejar cabos sueltos. Después del robo, Mervan fue traicionado, golpeado en la cabeza y abandonado. Castle sospecha que una joven llamada Lesley Barre también participó en el robo. Había trabajado durante un tiempo como mecanógrafa en el banco. De hecho, dejó del banco un tiempo antes del robo y desapareció sin dejar rastro. Pero Mervan no dirá ni una sola palabra. Solo cuando Castle ya no puede escucharlo, murmura para sus adentros: Lesley, mi amor, te encontraré y te mataré.

Han pasado varios años desde entonces cuando el Inspector Castle recibe un sobre anónimo con dos invitaciones para la función matinal de The Final Trophy en el Janus Theatre. Por lo tanto, le pide a su amigo Algy Lawrence que lo acompañe. Lo más raro de todo esto es el misterioso mensaje que venía con las entradas. Decía: “Ven a la Feria de Paddington”. Lo que no esperaban era presenciar un asesinato imposible que va a tener lugar en el escenario durante la escena final, ante un público que llenaba el teatro.

En lo que a mí respecta, podéis contarme en el campo de los que creen que Come to Paddington Fair no solo está a la altura de las expectativas creadas por Whistle Up the Devil, sino que incluso las supera en algunos aspectos. Admito que a la mitad de la historia la acción puede ralentizarse un poco, pero este es un defecto menor. En cualquier caso, la caracterización es de primera, y la ambientación encaja muy bien en la trama. Si le sumamos un desenlace sobresaliente, el resultado no puede ser más favorable. Muy recomendable.

Nota: De interés para los lectores, The Derek Smith Omnibus incluye varios artículos breves de personas que conocieron a Derek Smith y trabajaron con él, incluido Hidetoshi Mori, quien publicó originalmente Come to Paddington Fair en una tirada muy limitada en Japón en 1997. ( Fuente: At the Scene of the Crime)

Sobre el autor: Poco sabemos sobre la vida de Derek Howe Smith (1926-2002) Se dice que Smith vivió una vida solitaria, con su madre, en las afueras de Londres, en una casa tan llena de libros que estaba en peligro inminente de derrumbarse. Whistle Up The Devil estuvo mucho tiempo considerada como su único trabajo literario y uno de los mas grandes misterios de cuarto cerrado. Depués de morir se ha descubierto que publicó otro trabajo en una oscura revista de misterio japonesa, ahora publicado como Come to Paddington Fair, y un manuscrito inédito Model for Murder, ambos incluidos ahora en las Obras Completas de Derek Smith publicadas por Locked Room International.

My Book Notes: Whistle Up The Devil (1953) by Derek Smith

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Locked Room International, 2015. Book Format: Kindle Edition. File Size: 684 KB. Print Length: 198 pages. ASIN: B012AZRLQS. ISBN: N/A. First published in 1953 by John Gifford, Ltd.

Synopsis: Roger Querrin died alone in a locked and guarded room, beyond the reach of human hands. Algy Lawrence could not explain the mystery of this “miracle” murder. And then, faced with a second crime which also could not possibly have been committed, he began to wonder, at last, if somebody had conjured up an invisible demon who could blast out locks and walk through solid walls… One of only two novels written by the very talented Derek Smith, and the only one published in his lifetime, this masterpiece of impossible crime fiction is also available as part of the Derek Smith Omnibus published by LRI, containing all his known writings.

My Take: For years the Querrins have lived in a small town called Bristley, not far from London. They have always kept Querrin House, though lately, they have not been able to live in it because of economic hardship. However, recently, Roger Querrin re-opened Querrin House. Roger, a shrewd businessman, had made enough money to do so. Like many ancient families, the Querrins have their own particular legends, traditions, or secrets. It was said that, a month before the Querrin heir was to get married, his father would pass on a family secret to him, always at midnight and always in the same room called the Room in the Passage. This ceremony took place for several years until one day, in the mid-nineteenth century, Thomas Querrin, at the time household head, while performing the  ceremony in accordance with established tradition, had a violent argument with his son Martin. The servants were awakened when listening to the cries but didn’t dare to enter the room. When they finally got the courage to break the door, they found young Martin dead lying on the floor with a knife between his shoulder blades, and his father lying in a corner totally unconsciously. The old man died without recovering his consciousness, the family secret died with him, and it was never known what was the reason of the fight. But then a rather nasty story began circulating among the people, whereby Thomas’ spirit remained in the room forever, waiting for the Querrins to keep their traditional appointment. Would they accept the challenge, everything would be just fine. But if they were not to do so, they would meet the same fate as young Martin.

Now, Roger, engaged to marry Aubrey Craig, wants to test the old family curse and win the respect and recognition of the villagers. In consequence he has decided to spend one night alone at the Room in the Passage. Peter Querrin, Roger’s young brother, wants to convince him not to do so, and even Chief Inspector Steve Castle, a family friend, has not been able to dissuade Roger, but there is nothing he can do since it is not a police issue. For this reason, Inspector Castle suggests Peter to try to convince Algy Lawrence to intervene. Lawrence, albeit with certain initial reticence, finally agrees to help him and with the unofficial assistance of Hardinge, the local police sergeant, they’ll keep an eye on the Room in the Passage, wherein Roger has locked himself in to spend the night. Nevertheless, despite all the precautions taken, Roger Querrin is found dead in a locked and guarded room, with a dagger pinned between his shoulder blades.

There are a number of reasons why I became interested in Whistle Up The Devil. First, because it usually shows up on almost every list of best impossible crimes or locked room mysteries. (See for example: A Locked Room Library by John Pugmire, My Favorite Locked Room Mysteries I: The Novels (Updated: Jan 3, 2015) by TomCat, Writing Down a List of Locked Rooms by Pietro De Palma, and Top 15 Favorite Impossible Crimes – Revision 0 by Isaac Stump). And secondly, because of the odd and somehow fascinating personality of his author, of whom hardly anything is known. Certainly with such background, it could not disappoint me. It is well possible that being a first novel, it may have some  shortfalls, I’m not going to dispute that, but the plot is superbly constructed, it plays fair with the reader, and I found it a highly solid and extremely satisfying read. Not to mention its own “locked room lecture”, with references to John Dickson Carr and Clayton Rawson. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the stories penned by Roger Smith published in The Derek Smith Omnibus by Locked Room International. Stay tuned. By the way, I must not forget to mention that the story contains not one, but two impossible murders, to challenge the reader. 

Whistle Up The Devil has been reviewed, among others, by Patrick at At the Scene of the Crime, Pietro De Palma at Death Can Read, TomCat at Beneath the Stain of Time, Rishi Arora at Classic Mystery Hunt, Christine Poulson at A Reading Life, Moira Redmond at Clothes in Books, Steve Barge at In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel, Mike at Only Detect, John at Countdown John’s Christie Journal, thegreenacapsule at The Green Capsule, Martin Edwards at ‘Do You Write Under Your Own Name?’, and Aidan Brack at Mysteries Ahoy!. To all this should be added what Jim Noy at The Invisible Event wrote about this book: “The unavailability of this book was a source of great frustration for me for a long time, and although I obtained a copy before the LRI reprint there was always the risk that after so much anticipation it would prove disappointing.  It didn’t.  The ease with which you can buy this now means many people will get to take it for granted, but the two impossible murders in here are preternaturally brilliant and should not be overlooked.  Smith was a wonderful talent, and the paucity of his available writings is a real shame; if I could, I’d go back in time and encourage him to write another fifteen of these.”

About the Author: Little is known of the life of Derek Howe Smith. (1926-2002) Smith is reported to have lived a reclusive life, with his mother, on the outskirts of London, in a house so filled with books it was imminent danger of collapse. Whistle Up The Devil was long considered to be his only literary effort and one of the greatest locked room mysteries. Since his death it has been discovered that he published another work in an obscure Japanese mystery magazine, now published as Come to Paddington Fair, and an unpublished manuscript Model for Murder, now both included in The Derek Smith Omnibus published by Locked Room International.

Locked Room International publicity page

Derek Smith at Golden Age of Detection Wiki

Whistle Up the Devil de Derek Smith

Sinopsis: Roger Querrin murió solo en una habitación cerrada y vigilada, lejos del alcance de manos humanas. Algy Lawrence no podía explicarse el misterio de este asesinato “prodigiosos”. Y luego, enfrentado a un segundo crimen que tampoco pudo haber sido cometido, comenzó a pensar,si finalmente alguien había evocado un demonio invisible que pudiera hacer volar cerraduras y atravesar paredes macizas… Una de las dos únicas novelas escritas. por el muy talentoso Derek Smith, y la única publicada en vida, esta obra maestra del género del crimen imposible también está disponible como parte de las obras completas de Derek Smith  publicadas por LRI, que contiene todos sus escritos conocidos.

Mi opinión: Durante años, los Querrin han vivido en un pequeño pueblo llamado Bristley, no lejos de Londres. Siempre han conservado Querrin House, aunque últimamente no han podido vivir en ella por dificultades económicas. Sin embargo, recientemente, Roger Querrin reabrió Querrin House. Roger, un astuto hombre de negocios, había ganado suficiente dinero para hacerlo. Como muchas familias antiguas, los Querrin tienen sus propias leyendas, tradiciones o secretos particulares. Se decía que, un mes antes de que el heredero Querrin se casara, su padre le transmitía un secreto de familia, siempre a medianoche y siempre en la misma habitación llamada la Habitación del Pasaje. Esta ceremonia se llevó a cabo durante varios años hasta que un día, a mediados del siglo XIX, Thomas Querrin, entonces el cabeza de la familia, mientras realizaba la ceremonia según la tradición establecida, tuvo una violenta discusión con su hijo Martín. Los sirvientes se despertaron al escuchar los gritos. pero no se atrevieron a entrar a la habitación. Cuando finalmente tuvieron el coraje de romper la puerta, encontraron al joven Martin muerto tirado en el suelo con un cuchillo entre los omóplatos, y a su padre tirado en un rincón totalmente inconsciente. El anciano murió sin recobrar la conciencia, el secreto familiar murió con él, y nunca se supo cuál fue el motivo de la pelea. Pero luego comenzó a circular una historia bastante desagradable entre la gente, según la cual el espíritu de Thomas se quedó en la habitación para siempre, esperando que los Querrin acudieran a su tradicional cita. Si aceptaran el desafío, todo estaría bien. Pero si no lo hicieran, correrían la misma suerte que el joven Martin.

Ahora, Roger, comprometido para casarse con Aubrey Craig, quiere poner a prueba la vieja maldición familiar y ganarse el respeto y el reconocimiento de los aldeanos. En consecuencia, ha decidido pasar una noche solo en la Habitación del Pasaje. Peter Querrin, el hermano menor de Roger, quiere convencerlo de que no lo haga, e incluso el inspector jefe Steve Castle, un amigo de la familia, no ha podido disuadir a Roger, pero no hay nada que pueda hacer ya que no es un problema policial. Por esta razón, el inspector Castle le sugiere a Peter que intente convencer a Algy Lawrence para que intervenga. Lawrence, aunque con cierta reticencia inicial, finalmente accede a ayudarlo y con la ayuda no oficial de Hardinge, el sargento de policía local, vigilarán la Habitación del Pasaje, en la que Roger se ha encerrado para pasar la noche. Sin embargo, a pesar de todas las precauciones tomadas, Roger Querrin es encontrado muerto en una habitación cerrada y vigilada, con una daga clavada entre los omoplatos.

Hay varias razones por las que me interesé por Whistle Up The Devil. Primero, porque generalmente aparece en casi todas las listas de los mejores crímenes imposibles o misterios de cuarto cerrado. (Consulte, por ejemplo: A Locked Room Library by John Pugmire, My Favorite Locked Room Mysteries I: The Novels (Updated: Jan 3, 2015) by TomCat, Writing Down a List of Locked Rooms by Pietro De Palma, and Top 15 Favorite Impossible Crimes – Revision 0 by Isaac Stump). Y en segundo lugar, por la curiosa y un tanto fascinante personalidad de su autor, del que apenas se sabe nada. Ciertamente con tal trasfondo, no podía decepcionarme. Es muy posible que, al ser una primera novela, pueda tener algunas deficiencias, no voy a discutir eso, pero la trama está magníficamente construida, juega limpio con el lector y me pareció una lectura muy sólida y extremadamente satisfactoria. Sin mencionar su propia “conferencia sobre cuarto cerrado”, con referencias a John Dickson Carr y Clayton Rawson. Tengo muchas ganas de leer el resto de las historias escritas por Roger Smith publicadas en The Derek Smith Omnibus por Locked Room International. Manténganse al tanto. Por cierto, no debo olvidar mencionar que la historia contiene no uno, sino dos asesinatos imposibles, para desafiar al lector.

Sobre el autor: Poco sabemos sobre la vida de Derek Howe Smith (1926-2002) Se dice que Smith vivió una vida solitaria, con su madre, en las afueras de Londres, en una casa tan llena de libros que estaba en peligro inminente de derrumbarse. Whistle Up The Devil estuvo mucho tiempo considerada como su único trabajo literario y uno de los mas grandes misterios de cuarto cerrado. Depués de morir se ha descubierto que publicó otro trabajo en una oscura revista de misterio japonesa, ahora publicado como Come to Paddington Fair, y un manuscrito inédito Model for Murder, ambos incluidos ahora en las Obras Completas de Derek Smith publicadas por Locked Room International.