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Twice Round the Clock
Horace Manning, scientist, recluse and ‘closed book� even to his friends is found dead in his study at 4am, following a dinner in honour of his daughter’s engagement. An ivory-handled carving knife rests between his shoulder blades as the houseguests gather round to witness the awful crime. The telephone line has been sabotaged � a calculated murder has been committed.
Rewinding twelve hours, the events of the afternoon and evening unfold, revealing a multitude of clues and motives from a closed cast of suspects until the narrative reaches 4am again � then races on to its riveting conclusion at 4pm as the reader is led twice round the clock.
First published in 1935, the sole novel from the actor and dancer Billie Houston is a lively country house mystery and a true lost gem of the Golden Age of crime writing.
Rewinding twelve hours, the events of the afternoon and evening unfold, revealing a multitude of clues and motives from a closed cast of suspects until the narrative reaches 4am again � then races on to its riveting conclusion at 4pm as the reader is led twice round the clock.
First published in 1935, the sole novel from the actor and dancer Billie Houston is a lively country house mystery and a true lost gem of the Golden Age of crime writing.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1935
50 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Billie Houston
1ÌýbookA Scottish actress and dancer; she toured music halls and revues with her sister Renée Houston as the "Houston Sisters". They became a leading variety act in the 1920s, sometimes performing as two children in over-sized furniture; Billie played the part of a boy.
Houston published one mystery novel in 1935.
Houston published one mystery novel in 1935.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 2, 2023
Death of a sadist�
Bill Brent is disturbed in the middle of the night by what sounds like a scream coming from outside the window of the room below his. He rushes down and discovers the body of his host, Horace Manning, stabbed in the back as he sat at the desk in his study. Outside a storm rages, the storm that has forced a reluctant group of guests to spend the night in the house, and Bill finds the phones are down. Then when two of the younger guests offer to drive through the storm to fetch the police, they discover all the cars have been immobilised, with their tyres slashed and their tanks emptied. The guests must spend the next twenty-four hours in the house waiting for the storm to blow over, knowing that one among them is a murderer. We are then taken back twenty-four hours to meet all the characters, discover why they were in the house and learn that many, if not all, of them had good reason to want Manning dead�
Martin Edwards mentions in his introduction that sometimes books are forgotten for good reason, a sentiment with which I heartily concur. But I’m happy to also agree with him wholeheartedly that this is not one of those � this one fully deserves to be re-introduced to a new generation of readers. I can only assume it has been allowed to lapse into obscurity because it was the author’s only novel. Billie Houston was apparently one half of a very successful vaudeville act along with her sister Renée, in which Billie tended to play a boy to Renée’s girl. She wrote this novel backstage during performances. Unfortunately her stage career was cut short by illness, though she lived to a good age and in later life became a championship level chess-player.
Anyway, the book! It’s remarkably well written and, perhaps unsurprisingly from someone used to writing comedy sketches, there’s quite a lot of humour amidst the darkness. The characters are rather stock ones for the most part but nonetheless very well drawn, and most of them are likeable. The exception is the victim, who is a horrible sadist, and so we need not waste tears over him. In fact, one is only surprised that it took so long for someone to do the world a favour and do away with him! Horace Manning is a scientist, working on a deadly gas to be used as a weapon of war. He has only one child, his daughter Helen, and although he has never physically abused her he has ruled her by psychological terror � he reminded me of Mrs Boynton, Christie’s wonderful sadist in Appointment with Death.
Now Helen is in love and Tony Fane, her young man, has sought Manning’s approval for their engagement which, to everyone’s surprise and disbelief, he has given. He invites the whole group over for dinner � Helen and Tony, Tony’s parents, Tony’s sister Kay (whom I couldn’t help feeling was something of an alter-ego for the author), and a couple of assorted friends who were present at the Fanes � Bill Brent, who along with Kay plays the role of amateur ‘tec and hero, Teddy Fraser who is in love with Kay, and Dr Henderson � Hendy � who is an old friend of Manning and Helen. The servants also play their part in the story, more so than is often the case in Golden Age mysteries � Mrs Geraint, the sleep-walking housekeeper who also lives in terror of Manning and stays only out of love for Helen, the two maids, Alice and Mary, and Strange, the chauffeur,
But it is clear that Manning doesn’t intend to let Helen go as easily as that, so a feeling of impending doom hovers over the dinner table, while outside the storm that will trap them in the house approaches. And after dinner Manning does something so awful that everyone’s distrust of him turns to hatred, giving everyone a motive.
(Slight spoiler: )
I admit it becomes ridiculous in the last thirty pages or so, but by that time I was having far too much fun to care. I guessed early whodunit and why, and was proved right, but again didn’t mind. The characterisations are so enjoyable, from blustering Sir Anthony Fane to his long-suffering wife, constantly shocked by the very modern manners of her children, to the young people with their various romantic entanglements that all need to be worked out by the end. Kay is delightful, and Bill is true romantic hero material. The rest of the women spend an inordinate amount of time fainting and swooning and being told to lie down and have a nice cup of tea, but it all added to the fun! I am truly sorry that Houston never wrote another, but I’m very glad the British Library has given us all the opportunity to enjoy this one.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, the British Library.
Bill Brent is disturbed in the middle of the night by what sounds like a scream coming from outside the window of the room below his. He rushes down and discovers the body of his host, Horace Manning, stabbed in the back as he sat at the desk in his study. Outside a storm rages, the storm that has forced a reluctant group of guests to spend the night in the house, and Bill finds the phones are down. Then when two of the younger guests offer to drive through the storm to fetch the police, they discover all the cars have been immobilised, with their tyres slashed and their tanks emptied. The guests must spend the next twenty-four hours in the house waiting for the storm to blow over, knowing that one among them is a murderer. We are then taken back twenty-four hours to meet all the characters, discover why they were in the house and learn that many, if not all, of them had good reason to want Manning dead�
Martin Edwards mentions in his introduction that sometimes books are forgotten for good reason, a sentiment with which I heartily concur. But I’m happy to also agree with him wholeheartedly that this is not one of those � this one fully deserves to be re-introduced to a new generation of readers. I can only assume it has been allowed to lapse into obscurity because it was the author’s only novel. Billie Houston was apparently one half of a very successful vaudeville act along with her sister Renée, in which Billie tended to play a boy to Renée’s girl. She wrote this novel backstage during performances. Unfortunately her stage career was cut short by illness, though she lived to a good age and in later life became a championship level chess-player.
Anyway, the book! It’s remarkably well written and, perhaps unsurprisingly from someone used to writing comedy sketches, there’s quite a lot of humour amidst the darkness. The characters are rather stock ones for the most part but nonetheless very well drawn, and most of them are likeable. The exception is the victim, who is a horrible sadist, and so we need not waste tears over him. In fact, one is only surprised that it took so long for someone to do the world a favour and do away with him! Horace Manning is a scientist, working on a deadly gas to be used as a weapon of war. He has only one child, his daughter Helen, and although he has never physically abused her he has ruled her by psychological terror � he reminded me of Mrs Boynton, Christie’s wonderful sadist in Appointment with Death.
Now Helen is in love and Tony Fane, her young man, has sought Manning’s approval for their engagement which, to everyone’s surprise and disbelief, he has given. He invites the whole group over for dinner � Helen and Tony, Tony’s parents, Tony’s sister Kay (whom I couldn’t help feeling was something of an alter-ego for the author), and a couple of assorted friends who were present at the Fanes � Bill Brent, who along with Kay plays the role of amateur ‘tec and hero, Teddy Fraser who is in love with Kay, and Dr Henderson � Hendy � who is an old friend of Manning and Helen. The servants also play their part in the story, more so than is often the case in Golden Age mysteries � Mrs Geraint, the sleep-walking housekeeper who also lives in terror of Manning and stays only out of love for Helen, the two maids, Alice and Mary, and Strange, the chauffeur,
But it is clear that Manning doesn’t intend to let Helen go as easily as that, so a feeling of impending doom hovers over the dinner table, while outside the storm that will trap them in the house approaches. And after dinner Manning does something so awful that everyone’s distrust of him turns to hatred, giving everyone a motive.
(Slight spoiler: )
I admit it becomes ridiculous in the last thirty pages or so, but by that time I was having far too much fun to care. I guessed early whodunit and why, and was proved right, but again didn’t mind. The characterisations are so enjoyable, from blustering Sir Anthony Fane to his long-suffering wife, constantly shocked by the very modern manners of her children, to the young people with their various romantic entanglements that all need to be worked out by the end. Kay is delightful, and Bill is true romantic hero material. The rest of the women spend an inordinate amount of time fainting and swooning and being told to lie down and have a nice cup of tea, but it all added to the fun! I am truly sorry that Houston never wrote another, but I’m very glad the British Library has given us all the opportunity to enjoy this one.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, the British Library.
April 12, 2023
Oh dear! Started strongly and then went very wrong. (Did Erwin Schrödinger read this?!)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2024
Twice Round the Clock was an entertaining romp I greatly enjoyed. It's the author's only book. Billie Houston was a music hall performer and actress, half of the Houston Sisters with sibling Renee from 1916 to the Thirties. Renee, the more famous one, went on to fifty-year film career while Billie retired from the spotlight to motherhood. As might be expected from an actress, she layers on the mysteries and drama, the suspense and thrills, after a brilliant and reclusive scientist is found dead in his house at 4 a.m. The story then flashes back twelve hours, and proceeds apace through to the big resolution at 4 p.m. the next day. Twice around the clock. The book begins brilliantly with bright young things tweaking the noses of the oldsters, but then comes the storm, both literally and figuratively. Terrifying. The characters are mostly stereotypes and caricatures, but they're fun and enjoyable stereotypes and caricatures. Satiric even. There's also just the right amount of romance (okay, a little too much, but Houston lets the young people be young, which is what it's all about) with a love triangle, an unrequited romance, and two ardent lovers, both ready to sacrifice everything (everything!) each for the other. The "Eton crop" mentioned in the book, for those who don't know (I didn't), is a very short and severe, slicked down hairstyle (boyish) for women, popular in the Twenties. There's an incident of animal cruelty but it's essential to the plot and appropriately handled. Twice Round the Clock was great fun and I wish Billie Houston had written more books. The novel gets quite melodramatic and visual, which made me think perhaps she'd written it with an eye to the flicks as she and her sister had been in films. The mystery is given an almost Agatha level of twist though perhaps not very difficult to guess. [4★]
July 21, 2024
This one was good fun. It's the only novel written by who was a music hall star, which I suppose goes some way to explaining the rather melodramatic plot, (though many of these types of books from this era have that).
A sadistic scientist is found dead in his study with a knife in his back. He had been working on a formulae for a poisonous gas; he is also a monster, so several motives for his killing. We go back 12 hours to his consenting to his daughters engagement, and suggesting a celebratory dinner party, but he clearly has mischief in mind. A storm means that the guests are stuck at the house. Some the guests try to work out who did it, and we get the next 12 hours, so twice around the clock.
It was entertaining and if she had written more, I would have read on, if possible, so It's a bit of a shame this is the only one, but a nice addition to the series none the less.
A sadistic scientist is found dead in his study with a knife in his back. He had been working on a formulae for a poisonous gas; he is also a monster, so several motives for his killing. We go back 12 hours to his consenting to his daughters engagement, and suggesting a celebratory dinner party, but he clearly has mischief in mind. A storm means that the guests are stuck at the house. Some the guests try to work out who did it, and we get the next 12 hours, so twice around the clock.
It was entertaining and if she had written more, I would have read on, if possible, so It's a bit of a shame this is the only one, but a nice addition to the series none the less.
April 13, 2023
Martin Edwards provides an informative and useful Introduction to the only foray into crime fiction of Billie Houston (1906-1972). Billie was one half of a well-known variety act, The Houston Sisters, with sister Renee, until her retirement due to ill-health. The novel was first published in 1935, and,although the author was modest about her achievement, it is effectively written and decently plotted, with a most original structure.
It tells the tale of the death of a rich scientist in a country house setting. The Prologue outlines the discovery of the body, Book One covers the twelve hours before that, and Book Two, the twelve hours after. In a series of short, snappy, quite filmique chapters, the reader becomes involved in a dramatic story of love, hatred and revenge, with a slightly cliched side-story of the theft of a scientific discovery.
The characterisation is what suffers in this kind of structure,and so the cast tends towards the stereotype and the faintly- sketched. However it is very readable and quite involving. Although I did spot the murderer, the writer does manage a decent surprise, and the ending is fairly dramatic and moving in its way.
Four stars.
It tells the tale of the death of a rich scientist in a country house setting. The Prologue outlines the discovery of the body, Book One covers the twelve hours before that, and Book Two, the twelve hours after. In a series of short, snappy, quite filmique chapters, the reader becomes involved in a dramatic story of love, hatred and revenge, with a slightly cliched side-story of the theft of a scientific discovery.
The characterisation is what suffers in this kind of structure,and so the cast tends towards the stereotype and the faintly- sketched. However it is very readable and quite involving. Although I did spot the murderer, the writer does manage a decent surprise, and the ending is fairly dramatic and moving in its way.
Four stars.
June 11, 2023
"Altogether, Twice Round the Clock is certainly not without flaws, particularly in terms of characterisation and plot coherence, but it does offer an intriguing murder mystery that reflects the norms and concerns of its time. Based on this first outing, it’s a shame that Houston � a famous actor and dancer in the 1930s � didn’t go on to write further mysteries."
Full review up at crimefictionlover.com:
Full review up at crimefictionlover.com:
September 13, 2023
Pretty decent, though a little bit disappointed with part of the ending.
November 30, 2024
Bought this for the cover, which ended up being the best thing about it.
October 11, 2023
Stock characters trapped in country house during a storm; unique 24-hour timeline keeps it moving at a good pace and the tone (aside from the nasty victim) is fun. Sadly, this was Houston’s only book.
September 19, 2023
A riveting read, terrifying in parts.
January 29, 2024
In his introduction to this entertaining Golden Age mystery, Martin Edwards explains that the book’s author, Billie Houston, was best known as one half of a successful vaudeville act in the 1920s. It’s a background Houston puts to good use, peppering her novel with some well-judged humour amid the darkness swirling around the crime. First published in 1935 and recently reissued as part of the British Library’s Crime Classics series, Twice Round the Clock was Houston’s only novel, written between her appearances on stage. As other reviewers have noted, it’s a shame she never went on to write more books because her first foray into crime writing seems very promising indeed. Twice Round the Clock is an atmospheric country house murder mystery, the kind of thriller where almost everyone’s a suspect, and the victim himself is universally disliked. It’s an ideal read for a bitterly cold weekend�
The novel opens with a short prologue to set the scene. Just before 4 am on the night of a violent storm, Bill Brent is woken by a scream and the sound of glass breaking beneath his room in Treeholme, Horace Manning’s house. After making his way downstairs to the study, Brent finds a dead body slumped across the desk with an ivory-handled carving knife sticking out of its back. The victim is Brent’s host for the night, Horace Manning, an eccentric, reclusive scientist with a noticeable sadistic streak. Outside, the storm continues to rage � an inconvenience that has forced Brent and the other guests to spend the night at the Manning residence following a tense celebratory dinner.
Brent is soon joined in the study by Dr Henderson, who has also been disturbed by the scream; but when the pair try to call the police, they discover the phone line is dead � either brought down by the storm or sabotaged on purpose, the exact cause is unclear. So, with the scene set for a tantalising mystery, the narrative rewinds to 4 pm the previous afternoon, revealing various events leading up to Manning’s death�
Here, we are introduced to the cast of characters that ultimately find themselves stranded at Treeholme for the night. First amongst them is Tony Fane, who drives to Treeholme to ask Manning for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Given that Manning strikes the fear of God into everyone he encounters � his daughter Helen included � Tony can’t quite believe it when the old man says yes. In fact, Manning goes as far as to invite Tony’s family and close friends over for a celebratory dinner that evening, much to everyone’s surprise. Nevertheless, all this is delivered in such a creepy manner that the reader suspects something untoward is afoot�
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
The novel opens with a short prologue to set the scene. Just before 4 am on the night of a violent storm, Bill Brent is woken by a scream and the sound of glass breaking beneath his room in Treeholme, Horace Manning’s house. After making his way downstairs to the study, Brent finds a dead body slumped across the desk with an ivory-handled carving knife sticking out of its back. The victim is Brent’s host for the night, Horace Manning, an eccentric, reclusive scientist with a noticeable sadistic streak. Outside, the storm continues to rage � an inconvenience that has forced Brent and the other guests to spend the night at the Manning residence following a tense celebratory dinner.
Brent is soon joined in the study by Dr Henderson, who has also been disturbed by the scream; but when the pair try to call the police, they discover the phone line is dead � either brought down by the storm or sabotaged on purpose, the exact cause is unclear. So, with the scene set for a tantalising mystery, the narrative rewinds to 4 pm the previous afternoon, revealing various events leading up to Manning’s death�
Here, we are introduced to the cast of characters that ultimately find themselves stranded at Treeholme for the night. First amongst them is Tony Fane, who drives to Treeholme to ask Manning for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Given that Manning strikes the fear of God into everyone he encounters � his daughter Helen included � Tony can’t quite believe it when the old man says yes. In fact, Manning goes as far as to invite Tony’s family and close friends over for a celebratory dinner that evening, much to everyone’s surprise. Nevertheless, all this is delivered in such a creepy manner that the reader suspects something untoward is afoot�
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
August 12, 2024
Twice Round the Clock by Billie Houston
A Note from the Publisher...(copied)
"The original novels and short stories reprinted in the British Library Crime Classics series were written and published in a period ranging from the 1890s to the 1960s. Many elements of these stories continue to entertain modern readers; however, in some cases there are also uses of language, instances of stereotyping, and some attitudes expressed by narrators or characters that my not be endorsed by the publishing standards of today."
"Twice Round the Clock" is my first British Library Crime Classic. It was originally published in 1935. It was an amazing book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Although the setting was in England, there were limited number of areas visited. The main story took place at Treeholme...the Manning house. There are several characters, but easy to follow.
Horace Manning and his daughter, Helen, were anything but close in their relationship. Upon the announcement of Helen's engagement to Tony, Mr. Manning decides to hold a party and things go awry. With a thunder storm approaching and no one able to leave, the guests are invited to spend the night. Things begin to happen and everyone has a story as to why they should leave. Then....Mr. Manning is murdered!
It will take the next 24 hours (twice round the clock) to determine the fate of all who had the means and opportunity to the murder. Could it be the daughter, who hated her father? Perhaps the fiance who wants to protect his betrothed? And then, there is the wait staff who disapproved of Mr. Manning's life style, as an eccentric genius and his secret to destroy. How about Kay? She is a story into herself. She is very flippant and always making people feel uncomfortable.
Twice Round the Clock is undoubtedly a great mystery. You will want to keep turning the pages to see just who might be lurking in the dark...and a climatic ending!
A Note from the Publisher...(copied)
"The original novels and short stories reprinted in the British Library Crime Classics series were written and published in a period ranging from the 1890s to the 1960s. Many elements of these stories continue to entertain modern readers; however, in some cases there are also uses of language, instances of stereotyping, and some attitudes expressed by narrators or characters that my not be endorsed by the publishing standards of today."
"Twice Round the Clock" is my first British Library Crime Classic. It was originally published in 1935. It was an amazing book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Although the setting was in England, there were limited number of areas visited. The main story took place at Treeholme...the Manning house. There are several characters, but easy to follow.
Horace Manning and his daughter, Helen, were anything but close in their relationship. Upon the announcement of Helen's engagement to Tony, Mr. Manning decides to hold a party and things go awry. With a thunder storm approaching and no one able to leave, the guests are invited to spend the night. Things begin to happen and everyone has a story as to why they should leave. Then....Mr. Manning is murdered!
It will take the next 24 hours (twice round the clock) to determine the fate of all who had the means and opportunity to the murder. Could it be the daughter, who hated her father? Perhaps the fiance who wants to protect his betrothed? And then, there is the wait staff who disapproved of Mr. Manning's life style, as an eccentric genius and his secret to destroy. How about Kay? She is a story into herself. She is very flippant and always making people feel uncomfortable.
Twice Round the Clock is undoubtedly a great mystery. You will want to keep turning the pages to see just who might be lurking in the dark...and a climatic ending!
June 17, 2023
Coming right on the heels of a Dickon Carter novel where he was trying too hard to build up an atmosphere and the effort fell pathetically flat, this was gold when it came to just that.
The sense of fear and mystery pervaded the whole book. And it was just perfect, from the likeable, real characters to the dialogue which was so easy and again, just right instead of trying too hard, all perfect.
Except for the ending where things became too melodramatic. Hence 4 instead of 5.
But let's not speak of that, or the OBVIOUS murderer.
Kay honestly is one of the best female characters. Hands down. And the love triangle, though a secondary or tertiary plot, it was done so well that I feel slighted that Billie Houston doesn't have more books under her belt. All her characters seemed so likeable and real and annoying in the best way, except for the creep, written so well again that he even gave me the creeps.
Her writing is easy to read and envision, which is almost all one wants of a good novel.
The sense of fear and mystery pervaded the whole book. And it was just perfect, from the likeable, real characters to the dialogue which was so easy and again, just right instead of trying too hard, all perfect.
Except for the ending where things became too melodramatic. Hence 4 instead of 5.
But let's not speak of that, or the OBVIOUS murderer.
Kay honestly is one of the best female characters. Hands down. And the love triangle, though a secondary or tertiary plot, it was done so well that I feel slighted that Billie Houston doesn't have more books under her belt. All her characters seemed so likeable and real and annoying in the best way, except for the creep, written so well again that he even gave me the creeps.
Her writing is easy to read and envision, which is almost all one wants of a good novel.
January 28, 2025
This was first published in 1935 and the author was one half of a stage act called The Houston Sisters. There are a few clips of them on Youtube if you are interested.
It's a country house mystery and a group of people are forced to spend the night due to the stormy weather. In the course of the night the owner of the house is murdered. So just a conventional mystery? Not quite. It's quite well written and while the characters are largely stereotypes they are likeable, for the most part, stereotypes.
What spoils the book, for me, is the ending. The very end falls into, again for me, mawkish sentimentality. But there's a new wrinkle as we get towards the end which doesn't really work and spoils the good crime novel that went before it. Maybe Billie Houston had read some Dornford Yates or Sapper novels before writing this?
This is the only crime novel by Billie Houston and that's a shame as she almost created an excellent crime novel. Unfortunately there are too many flaws in this.
It's a country house mystery and a group of people are forced to spend the night due to the stormy weather. In the course of the night the owner of the house is murdered. So just a conventional mystery? Not quite. It's quite well written and while the characters are largely stereotypes they are likeable, for the most part, stereotypes.
What spoils the book, for me, is the ending. The very end falls into, again for me, mawkish sentimentality. But there's a new wrinkle as we get towards the end which doesn't really work and spoils the good crime novel that went before it. Maybe Billie Houston had read some Dornford Yates or Sapper novels before writing this?
This is the only crime novel by Billie Houston and that's a shame as she almost created an excellent crime novel. Unfortunately there are too many flaws in this.
June 27, 2023
A reclusive scientist is found dead in his study during a storm, hours after a dinner to mark his daughter’s engagement. The dinner guests are stranded in the house because of the weather � and the telephone line has been cut. There are clues and motives a plenty, which of the closed group of suspects carried out the crime?
Twice Around the Clock is Billie Houston’s only novel � and it’s really quite impressive. She was an actress and singer who was part of a variety act with her sister in the 1920s until she retired because of ill health in the mid 1930s � as far as I can work out at a similar time to when she wrote this. The title comes from the amount of time that the novel covers � you start with the murder then the clock rewinds twelve hours to show you the lead up to the murder and then carries on until twelve hours after the death. It’s fast paced and has a bit of humour to it. It also has a murder victim who you are delighted to see dead after you see him alive and tormenting people and animals*. Basically it’s a good enough read that you wish Houston had written more!
*there is a scene featuring animal cruelty in this but it's brief and also clear that everyone else in the book finds it abhorrent - it's just the victim who thinks it's ok
Twice Around the Clock is Billie Houston’s only novel � and it’s really quite impressive. She was an actress and singer who was part of a variety act with her sister in the 1920s until she retired because of ill health in the mid 1930s � as far as I can work out at a similar time to when she wrote this. The title comes from the amount of time that the novel covers � you start with the murder then the clock rewinds twelve hours to show you the lead up to the murder and then carries on until twelve hours after the death. It’s fast paced and has a bit of humour to it. It also has a murder victim who you are delighted to see dead after you see him alive and tormenting people and animals*. Basically it’s a good enough read that you wish Houston had written more!
*there is a scene featuring animal cruelty in this but it's brief and also clear that everyone else in the book finds it abhorrent - it's just the victim who thinks it's ok
July 25, 2023
A gem from the golden ages, long lost and now refound.
It has the typical setting: a country house, closed group of suspects, slow and steady unravelling of the plot. In two ways, it is different though. First of all, there was no typical detective here, not even one single policeman!
The reason for that is a frightful storm raging outside, because of which neither is anyone able to go out nor contact anyone in the outside world. Because of this storm, the group of suspects has to stay in the same house, with even the dead bodies not having been moved ,from where they originally fell.
The whole story happens in a span of about twelve hours and I must say, it was one hell of a twelve hours. I was impressed as how neatly, a good deal of intrigue, suspense, detection, even two love stories were crammed into this short period of time to make this one a real enjoyable piece of storytelling. Definitely a good one!
It has the typical setting: a country house, closed group of suspects, slow and steady unravelling of the plot. In two ways, it is different though. First of all, there was no typical detective here, not even one single policeman!
The reason for that is a frightful storm raging outside, because of which neither is anyone able to go out nor contact anyone in the outside world. Because of this storm, the group of suspects has to stay in the same house, with even the dead bodies not having been moved ,from where they originally fell.
The whole story happens in a span of about twelve hours and I must say, it was one hell of a twelve hours. I was impressed as how neatly, a good deal of intrigue, suspense, detection, even two love stories were crammed into this short period of time to make this one a real enjoyable piece of storytelling. Definitely a good one!
August 2, 2024
Eccentric scientist Horace Manning is murdered in his study at night in a thunderstorm. A number of guests are staying in his house as they have just had his daughter's engagement dinner. No-one can leave due to the storm, so the guests investigate. The story goes back to show the events leading up to the crime, and the following twelve hours. The thunderstorm circles unconvincingly overhead until the end, and there are secret agents on hand for sabotaging phones and cars and sometimes tying people up; characters comment on these B-movie props as the author excuses herself for these. There isn't a great deal of investigation, as the plot largely consists of events that happen to the characters. We also see inside several character's heads, making it easier to eliminate suspects. The country house 1935 setting and characters are good, but this indeed B-movie stuff.
July 24, 2023
You start with murder. Then you pop back in time, going through the approach toward the murder and then to the time after. The time element will become more meaningful at the very end.
A fun, something happening at every moment, mystery. There are some stock characters here but they all are done well. After you start before the murder you understand that the victim was not liked by anyone. So then who, of all you could choose from. I did guess the murderer, but that didn’t detract from the story. It was the why and how, and there was more than just a murder underway. Oh, yes and the STORM, for atmosphere.
Would have been interesting to read what Houston could have done next if she chose to write another mystery. Glad this one was brought back.
A fun, something happening at every moment, mystery. There are some stock characters here but they all are done well. After you start before the murder you understand that the victim was not liked by anyone. So then who, of all you could choose from. I did guess the murderer, but that didn’t detract from the story. It was the why and how, and there was more than just a murder underway. Oh, yes and the STORM, for atmosphere.
Would have been interesting to read what Houston could have done next if she chose to write another mystery. Glad this one was brought back.
July 15, 2023
This is an intriguing and fun book, though at times highly dramatic with a flare of melodrama. There’s a sense of all sorts of high jinks going on, masked men, secret formulas, evil fathers (?) tragic love, love triangle and well murder. The plot felt gripping enough for me to want to read to the end, it was just that some of the characters were a little bit odd and felt too overly stimulated and some of the men felt a bit 1 dimensional. Other than that it’s a pretty good crime novel and does have atmosphere.
November 28, 2023
This was the author’s only novel which is rather a shame as underneath the many ludicrous components of this story with its sinister scientist, occasionally macabre atmosphere, foreign spies, sleepwalking housekeepers etc is a witty writer who could have produced more controlled work. I guessed who the murderer was early on but the melodrama at the end wasn’t quite what I saw coming. A ridiculous but enjoyable read.
March 30, 2024
Golly! How Brilliant!
More stings in the tail than I've had hot dinners. Time played with, without entering the realms of the fantastic. Romance without nausea.
A terrific read, which really taxed my brain. But not once did I anticipate the climax. A well made film accurate to the storyline would have made me jump and scream its shock and surprise, and yet every single character was true to themselves from start to finish.
More stings in the tail than I've had hot dinners. Time played with, without entering the realms of the fantastic. Romance without nausea.
A terrific read, which really taxed my brain. But not once did I anticipate the climax. A well made film accurate to the storyline would have made me jump and scream its shock and surprise, and yet every single character was true to themselves from start to finish.
July 25, 2024
Highly recommend this book. It’s a country house mystery with a thunderstorm trapping them inside instead of the usual snowstorm. The characters are well-written and I loved the twists towards the end. An excellent example of the genre. I just wish Billie Houston had written more books. She certainly was a good writer based on this single book.
July 27, 2024
Brilliant! Exciting! Clever
The pity of it is that the author apparently never wrote another book!
She would have rivalled Agatha Christie.
Twists and turns and surprises for the reader. I could not put it down.
Billie Houston brings you a story so clever and interesting, with a result you would never expect at the end. Thank you, you were a brilliant lady!
The pity of it is that the author apparently never wrote another book!
She would have rivalled Agatha Christie.
Twists and turns and surprises for the reader. I could not put it down.
Billie Houston brings you a story so clever and interesting, with a result you would never expect at the end. Thank you, you were a brilliant lady!
May 18, 2023
Good
Of it’s time of course, but fine by me. A shame this busy lady didn’t write more.
This story has a pretty obvious plot, and
an irritating ending, that notwithstanding,
a fair effort.
Of it’s time of course, but fine by me. A shame this busy lady didn’t write more.
This story has a pretty obvious plot, and
an irritating ending, that notwithstanding,
a fair effort.
Want to read
June 13, 2023Did anyone else notice that the author blurb is for the wrong Billie Houston? This book was originally published in 1935, and this Billie Houston was definitely not a Christian novelist--she only wrote this one mystery novel. Sloppy.
September 7, 2023
Blimey!!!
This is a really good book. That being said I guessed who had done it! In fact one of the characters tells you. There was one, no actually two elements of the book that I felt were unnecessary, but overall the plot was really quite enjoyable.
This is a really good book. That being said I guessed who had done it! In fact one of the characters tells you. There was one, no actually two elements of the book that I felt were unnecessary, but overall the plot was really quite enjoyable.
May 22, 2024
The set-up and character work starts off well. By the end we find that the solution should really have come out much earlier, and we get some thriller elements which are surprising, but to my mind too surprising.
May 19, 2023
I thought it was ok as country house mysteries go until the last third of the book when the plot took a ridiculous turn for the worse! Interesting to read though, and of its time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2023
Called the killer and the motive really early, but there are only so many plots and this was a fun read.
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