{"title":"Books by E. C. Bentley","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9780008333904","title":"Trent’s Last Case","description":"Written in reaction to what Bentley perceived as the sterility and artificiality of the detective fiction of his day, Trent's Last Case features Philip Trent, an all-too-human detective who not only falls in love with the chief suspect but reaches a brilliant conclusion that is totally wrong.Trent’s Last Case begins when millionaire American financier Sigsbee Manderson is murdered while on holiday in England. A London newspaper sends Trent to investigate, and he is soon matching wits with Scotland Yard's Inspector Murth as they probe ever deeper in search of a solution to a mystery filled with odd, mysterious twists and turns.Called by Agatha Christie \"one of the best detective stories ever written,\" Trent's Last Case delights with its flesh-and-blood characters, its naturalness and easy humor, and its style, which, as Dorothy Sayers has noted, \"ranges from a vividly coloured rhetoric to a delicate and ironical literary fancy.\"","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56221484745077,"sku":"9780008333904","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780008333904_d1fbcbc8-6e61-4816-a278-dfe5da21eea2.jpg?v=1785658682"},{"product_id":"9780008333928","title":"Trent’s Own Case","description":"The second novel from the celebrated author of one of the most famous mystery classics ever written, Trent's Last Case.James Randolph is murdered early one evening and his body is found a few hours later. When the police arrive they discover that Randolph's safe has been ransacked and discarded wrapping paper litters his bedroom floor.Perhaps by chance or perhaps by design, Trent seems to have been the last person, other than the murderer, to see Randolph alive. But this is only one aspect amongst many which connect Trent with the murder and stimulate his interest: his friend Inspector Bligh is the detective in charge of the investigation, and then a long-time friend readily and perplexingly confesses his guilt. As much as he respects the abilities of Inspector Bligh, Trent's personal knowledge has him doubting the confession and intent on finding the truth.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56221484777845,"sku":"9780008333928","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780008333928_703adca3-40dd-4b9f-907a-d9af48a5bdb3.jpg?v=1785658683"},{"product_id":"9780712355636","title":"As If By Magic","description":"\u003cp\u003eImpossible crime stories have delighted readers since the invention of detective fiction as puzzle-lovers sought more cerebral entertainment. Following on from Miraculous Mysteries, CWA Diamond Dagger Award-winning crime writer Martin Edwards brings together a whole new casebook of mystifying locked room mysteries and impossible crimes. Featuring more great stories by John Dickson Carr, Julian Symons and Margery Allingham alongside newly rediscovered writers, this selection of stories will bring you more insight into one of the most celebrated and dazzling sub-genres of detective fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56294659555701,"sku":"9780712355636","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780712355636_763f1b5e-d897-4c7d-9614-cf036b0cce0f.jpg?v=1786014937"},{"product_id":"9789358593105","title":"Trent's Last Case The Woman In Black","description":"\"Trent's Last Case\" is a captivating novel written by E.C. Bentley, a British author and journalist. The story revolves around Philip Trent, a talented and unconventional artist turned amateur detective. When a prominent business tycoon is found murdered, Trent is called upon to investigate the baffling case. As he delves into the intricacies of the crime, Trent uncovers a web of deceit, mistaken identities, and unexpected twists that challenge his deductive skills. \"Trent's Last Case\" is known for its clever plot twists and its unconventional approach to the detective genre. It introduced a new level of complexity and moral ambiguity, distinguishing it from the typical detective stories of its time. Bentley's novel set a precedent for subsequent mystery writers, influencing the development of the genre. With its intricate plotting, well-drawn characters, and unexpected revelations, \"Trent's Last Case\" remains a beloved classic in the detective fiction canon. E.C. Bentley's ability to blend suspense, wit, and social commentary creates a compelling reading experience that continues to captivate audiences today.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56311181476213,"sku":"9789358593105","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9789358593105_a2fb6596-ef37-42c9-86c6-4d5257be34b9.jpg?v=1786032198"},{"product_id":"9781513271675","title":"Trent's Last Case","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eTrent’s Last Case\u003c\/i\u003e (1913) is a detective novel by E.C. Bentley. Adapted three times for the cinema—including a 1952 feature film starring Michael Wilding, Orson Welles, and Margaret Lockwood—\u003ci\u003eTrent’s Last Case\u003c\/i\u003e, which was titled The Woman in Black in the U.S., earned the acclaim of such writers as Dorothy L. Sayers, and was followed by a sequel and a collection of short stories involving its main character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen Sigsbee Manderson, a prominent American plutocrat, is murdered at his country estate in southwest England, Philip Trent, an amateur detective and freelance journalist, is hired to investigate the case. Aided by police, Trent begins his examination of the facts and evidence. Granted access to the body as well as the grounds of White Gables, Manderson’s estate, Trent concludes his investigation with a series of interviews. Beginning with Manderson’s wife, he uses his journalistic skill to collect information from the plutocrat’s secretaries, servant, and maid, as well as Nathaniel Cupples, Mrs. Manderson’s uncle and an old friend of Trent’s. When the coroner’s report is released, and in coordination with his own research, evidence suggests that Manderson was murdered due to some unknown business vendetta. There is reason to believe, however, that his death could have something to do with his troubled marriage, a possibility complicated by Trent’s growing attraction to Mabel, his widow. Unable to reach a conclusion, Trent embarks for Latvia to work as a traveling correspondent, but no matter how much time or distance he places between himself and White Gables, the questions and the mystery remain. \u003ci\u003eTrent’s Last Case\u003c\/i\u003e is a masterful detective novel by a writer whose reputation has unjustly faded over the past several decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis edition of E.C. Bentley’s \u003ci\u003eTrent’s Last Case\u003c\/i\u003e is a classic of English detective fiction reimagined for modern readers.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSince our inception in 2020, \u003cb\u003eMint Editions\u003c\/b\u003e has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWith thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56312525947253,"sku":"9781513271675","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781513271675_7de9ea81-977d-4c48-82a0-2587afb8e6a3.jpg?v=1786021837"},{"product_id":"eat-drink-and-be-murdered","title":"Eat, Drink and Be Murdered","description":"\u003cp\u003eA mouth-watering feast of crime fiction, including stories of mushroom murders, brown bread spread with \u003cem\u003ebacillus botulinus\u003c\/em\u003e, and tales in which the identity of killers is proved by a purchase of fillet steak or an inexpert knowledge of fine wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis new collection from British Library Crime Classics features some of the greatest mystery tales from the Golden Age of detective fiction to be based around food and drink. Complete with a well-stuffed introduction from expert editor, anthologist and crime author Martin Edwards, detailing the fascinating role of what we imbibe to the genre, this anthology includes tales from the likes of Dorothy L Sayers, Michael Gilbert and EC Bentley, and is sure to leave readers hungry and wanting more.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57499294695797,"sku":"9780712369855","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780712369855.jpg?v=1786694609"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-e-c-bentley.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}