Three by Elizabeth Daly

Elizabeth Daly (1878-1967) was an American author who wrote light verse and prose for magazines, until she published her first novel (Unexpected Night) at the age of 60.   She was an honorary member of the Mystery Writers of America, and was awarded a "Special Edgar" by them in 1961.  I don't generally care for crime novels based in the U.S., but the books I've read by Daly have been consistently engaging and enjoyable. 

Unexpected Night (1940)  3/5 stars

Henry Gamadge, an expert in detecting document forgeries, is on hand when a mysterious death occurs.  He has no reason to investigate, but he and the State Detective discover that Gamadge has an uncanny knack of reading people, sorting out the truth from lies and irrelevancies, and solving mysteries.

This is Daly's first novel and it is a bit rough around the edges, with characters that are not fully developed.  Furthermore, I don't think the clever crime could be solved from the information given. Despite that, it's entertaining, intelligent, and a promising start to the Gamadge series.

 
Deadly Nightshade (1940)  3/5 stars

Several children in a Maine resort town are given nightshade berries by a stranger; while two recover, one dies and another goes missing.  The State Detective on the case is a friend of Henry Gamadge, and knows first hand about bookish Gamadge's unexpected ability to understand human nature and, as a result, see clearly in otherwise murky situations.  As a result, Gamadge runs up to Maine for the weekend to put his skill to the test.

This is an intelligent, generally well-written, and engrossing mystery with a pleasingly complex plot and solution.  Gamadge is a likable character, despite not being fully fleshed. Like the first of the series, I don't know that the reader will come to the correct answer based solely on the clues, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment.

Murders in Volume 2 (1941)  4/5 stars

A stranger comes to Henry Gamadge, an expert in antique books and forgeries, with a tale of a bizarre swindle being practiced on her wealthy uncle.  She and her family feel that Gamadge's particular line of work make him particularly suited to uncover the truth.  Before Gamadge can expose the fraud, there is a murder.  Then another.  Gamadge soon finds himself partnering the police as his talent for understanding people and motives and finding hidden truths cause him to uncover the why and how of the crimes.

This third in the series is agreeably complicated, with an interesting plot, and a satisfying conclusion.   Gamadge's personality is more rounded than previously, and Daly handles the large cast of characters well.  I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and look forward to reading more of Gamadge's adventures.

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