Paperback 395: Hostess to Murder / Elisabeth Sanxay Holding (Mystery Novel Classic 58)

Paperback 395: Mystery Novel Classic No. 58 (1st ptg, 1943)

Title: Hostess to Murder
Author: Elisabeth Sanxay Holding
Cover artist: Uncredited

Yours for: $18


Best things about this cover:

• These early digests are kind of horrible, coverartwise.
• The hand is sort of unintentionally frightening, in a jointless, put-your-eye-out kind of way.

Back cover fail, once again (just a repeated pattern of the publisher's logo), so ... straight to ...

Page 123~

"Whither away?" called Cartaret, gaily.

No typos were made in the typing of that last sentence. I like how it all hovers between the nonsensical and ... well, the really nonsensical. It's like a lost line from "Jabberwocky."

~RP

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Paperback 393: Death Wears a Bridal Veil / Kathleen Moore Knight (Mystery Novel Classic 54)

Paperback 393: Mystery Novel Classic No. 54 (1st ptg, 1943)

Title: Death Wears a Bridal Veil
Author: Kathleen Moore Knight
Cover artist: Uncredited

Yours for: $12


Best things about this cover:

• Oh no, they flattened that poor pig! And on her wedding day!
• Apparently rationing during war time extended to hyphens. Sorry "Full" and "Length," no touching.

Back cover just has "A Detective Novel Classic" stamped all over it, so ... moving on ...

Page 123~

Under the bedclothes Phyllis' hands clinched as she fought for courage.

You can do it, Phyllis! Just lie back and think of England!

~RP

[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter]