The Peter Duluth Mysteries Series

This first act of a mystery series by an Edgar Award winner, Broadway producer/amateur sleuth Peter Duluth delivers “your money’s worth of theatrics” (Kirkus Reviews).   Patrick Quentin, best known for the Peter Duluth puzzle mysteries, also penned outstanding detective novels from the 1930s through the 1960s under other pseudonyms, including Q. Patrick and Jonathan Stagge. Anthony Boucher wrote: “Quentin is particularly noted for the enviable polish and grace which make him one of the leading American fabricants of the murderous comedy of manners; but this surface smoothness conceals intricate and meticulous plot construction as faultless as that of Agatha Christie.”   Peter Duluth was once an up-and-comer on the Great White Way. But after his wife died, he dove into a bottle and stayed there. It’s only when he’s about to hit rock bottom that he decides to dry out, admitting himself into rehab to save his life.   Unfortunately, Peter’s new home turns out to be even more dangerous than the outside world when a staff member is murdered, and a patient soon checks out in a similar manner. Peter thinks he may have an idea of what’s going on, but isn’t sure what he’s hearing and seeing is real, or if the DTs are still playing with his head.   When a beautiful fellow patient falls under suspicion, Peter realizes that the deadly mystery is offering him not only a new life, but also a new love. All he has to do now is find a crazed killer in a place where crazy is the norm . . .  

In this “bright, amusing addition to this series” by an Edgar Award winner, sleuth Peter Duluth faces his greatest challenge: remembering who he is . . . (Kirkus Reviews).   Patrick Quentin, best known for the Peter Duluth puzzle mysteries, also penned outstanding detective novels from the 1930s through the 1960s under other pseudonyms, including Q. Patrick and Jonathan Stagge. Anthony Boucher wrote: “Quentin is particularly noted for the enviable polish and grace which make him one of the leading American fabricants of the murderous comedy of manners; but this surface smoothness conceals intricate and meticulous plot construction as faultless as that of Agatha Christie.”   When Gordy Friend wakes up in the hospital, he’s got a broken arm, a broken leg, and apparently a broken head, since he can’t remember anything that’s happened before now.   Luckily, Gordy learns he has a doting mother, a loving sister, and an absolute knockout wife to care for him and remind him of his lavish, hedonistic lifestyle. He’s also in line to inherit a great deal of money from his recently deceased father—if the will isn’t contested by some killjoys who think Gordy isn’t up to snuff.   Then, his trip down easy street hits the skids as Gordy realizes not everything around him is what it seems, and that his father’s passing might not have been so peaceful. Plus, he’s got some weird thoughts clanking around his head—strange memories about the bright lights of Broadway and a beautiful starlet.   The more Gordy finds out about himself, the more he suspects that his entire life might be a lie. And that the lie might just kill him . . .  

In this mystery from an Edgar Award–winning author, Peter Duluth deals with a case of mistaken identities and murder in World War II San Francisco.   Patrick Quentin, best known for the Peter Duluth puzzle mysteries, also penned outstanding detective novels from the 1930s through the 1960s under other pseudonyms, including Q. Patrick and Jonathan Stagge. Anthony Boucher wrote: “Quentin is particularly noted for the enviable polish and grace which make him one of the leading American fabricants of the murderous comedy of manners; but this surface smoothness conceals intricate and meticulous plot construction as faultless as that of Agatha Christie.”   As the war rages in the Pacific, naval lieutenant Peter Duluth is ecstatic to make port and spend time with his ladylove, Iris. They have little luck finding a room until a brassy blond offers them her hotel suite out of what seems like pure charity. And that’s when Peter’s shore leave starts going sideways.   While unwinding in a steam room, Peter’s uniform is stolen. Then, Iris is mistaken several times for her cousin, a local vamp with a very unusual coterie of friends. And things hit a bloody head when Peter’s missing uniform ends up implicating him in murder.   Now, with both of their identities in flux, Peter and Iris must navigate their way through the fog-shrouded alleys of the City by the Bay if they’re going to learn just what kind of mess they’re caught up in . . . and if they can get out of it alive.  

In this mystery from an Edgar Award–winning author, sleuth Peter Duluth is caught in “a succession of double takes and double-crosses” (Kirkus Reviews).   Patrick Quentin, best known for the Peter Duluth puzzle mysteries, also penned outstanding detective novels from the 1930s through the 1960s under other pseudonyms, including Q. Patrick and Jonathan Stagge. Anthony Boucher wrote: “Quentin is particularly noted for the enviable polish and grace which make him one of the leading American fabricants of the murderous comedy of manners; but this surface smoothness conceals intricate and meticulous plot construction as faultless as that of Agatha Christie.” With his marriage to his wife on the rebound—but still precarious—Peter Duluth knows the last thing he needs now is more trouble. With Iris away making a movie, maybe he can finally get back to writing his next Broadway hit. Unfortunately, after the sultry Deborah Brand slinks into his car asking for a ride, things are about to get far more complicated—and dangerous. Because when his passenger ends up dead, Peter becomes ensnared in a conspiracy that will take him from the jungles of Mexico to the back alleys of New Orleans. And if Peter isn’t careful, it may take him straight to the grave . . .  

From an Edgar Award–winning author, sleuth Peter Duluth must drop the curtain on a killer in this “medley of off-stage theatrics with a teaser of a solution” (Kirkus Reviews).   Patrick Quentin, best known for the Peter Duluth puzzle mysteries, also penned outstanding detective novels from the 1930s through the 1960s under other pseudonyms, including Q. Patrick and Jonathan Stagge. Anthony Boucher wrote: “Quentin is particularly noted for the enviable polish and grace which make him one of the leading American fabricants of the murderous comedy of manners; but this surface smoothness conceals intricate and meticulous plot construction as faultless as that of Agatha Christie.”   Theater producer Peter Duluth is fresh out the sanitarium where he got sober; found his new love, Iris; and also happened to help catch a murderer. Now he’s dead set on staging his big comeback with a new play featuring his lady as the star.   Unfortunately, they end up in a broken-down theater where the rats keep company with ghosts, and where there hasn’t been a hit in years. Combined with the usual egos, divas, and personal demons, it will be a miracle if Peter can get the play off the ground.   But his seemingly cursed production turns deadly when an actor literally dies onstage, with another murder soon to follow—this is not a dress rehearsal. Now it’s up to Peter to shine a spotlight on a killer.  

In this “fun” mystery from an Edgar Award–winning author, amateur sleuth Peter Duluth learns that divorce can be murder (Kirkus Reviews).   Patrick Quentin, best known for the Peter Duluth puzzle mysteries, also penned outstanding detective novels from the 1930s through the 1960s under other pseudonyms, including Q. Patrick and Jonathan Stagge. Anthony Boucher wrote: “Quentin is particularly noted for the enviable polish and grace which make him one of the leading American fabricants of the murderous comedy of manners; but this surface smoothness conceals intricate and meticulous plot construction as faultless as that of Agatha Christie.”   On extended shore leave from the war in the Pacific, navy lieutenant Peter Duluth and his movie star wife, Iris, have escaped from the prying eyes of the press, landing at the Nevada desert mansion of their friend Lorraine Playgel. Unfortunately, they aren’t alone.   Staying with Lorraine are three old school friends who are all waiting to get a Reno divorce from their respective husbands for very different reasons. But the brassy Lorraine can’t help but stir up some drama by inviting all three soon-to-be exes out to the oasis. Naturally, things are a bit uncomfortable at first.   Then the tension snaps with lethal results. One of the hopeful divorcées turns up dead, followed quickly by another. Knowing there must be a lot more than just alimony at stake, Peter and Iris start hunting for a killer who’s taking “till death do we part” quite literally . . .  

In this mystery from an Edgar Award–winning author, sleuth Peter Duluth steps in when his rebellious nephew is charged with murder.   Patrick Quentin, best known for the Peter Duluth puzzle mysteries, also penned outstanding detective novels from the 1930s through the 1960s under other pseudonyms, including Q. Patrick and Jonathan Stagge. Anthony Boucher wrote: “Quentin is particularly noted for the enviable polish and grace which make him one of the leading American fabricants of the murderous comedy of manners; but this surface smoothness conceals intricate and meticulous plot construction as faultless as that of Agatha Christie.”   Jake Duluth is a man alone. Three years after the suicide of his beloved wife, the wall between Jake and his son, Bill, has only grown higher. Bill’s constant impulsiveness has driven Jake to distraction, while Jake’s constant concern for his publishing business alienates Bill even more.   But when Bill is accused of murdering Jake’s business partner after falling in love with the man’s much younger wife, Jake has no choice but to believe his son and call in someone with much more experience in such sinister matters—his brother, Peter.   Now, with Bill’s life at stake, Jake and Peter must follow a trail of secrets and twisted loyalties if they are going to uncover a culprit neither could have ever imagined.    

In this mystery from an Edgar Award–winning author, sleuth Peter Duluth must overcome his own demons as he investigates a case south of the border (Kirkus Reviews).   Patrick Quentin, best known for the Peter Duluth puzzle mysteries, also penned outstanding detective novels from the 1930s through the 1960s under other pseudonyms, including Q. Patrick and Jonathan Stagge. Anthony Boucher wrote: “Quentin is particularly noted for the enviable polish and grace which make him one of the leading American fabricants of the murderous comedy of manners; but this surface smoothness conceals intricate and meticulous plot construction as faultless as that of Agatha Christie.”   Returning from World War II, Broadway big shot Peter Duluth thought he and his wife, Iris, could simply resume the life they had before. He was wrong. Peter is carrying some heavy baggage from his time in the service, and the weight is more than Iris can bear.   By the time the detective gets back to his old self, Iris is gone. Following his wife to Mexico, he discovers she’s fallen for someone else. But Peter isn’t about to give up and go home. He’s going to stay and fight for her.   To win this battle, Peter will have to investigate the murder of Iris’s lover’s wife, become entangled with the man’s depraved family—and face the possibility that the love of his life may a cold-blooded killer . . .