Roderic jefferies biography of williams

(Peter Alding, Jeffrey Ashford, Hastings Draper, Roderic Graeme, Graham Hastings, Roderic Graeme Jeffries)

PERSONAL: Born October 21, 1926, captive London, England; son of Gospeller Montague (a writer) and Lorna Helene Jeffries; married Rosemary Powys Woodhouse, March 13, 1958; children: Xanthe Kathleen, Crispin John.

Education: Attended the University of Southampton School of Navigation, 1942–43; Gray's Inn, barrister-at-law. Hobbies and molest interests: Shooting, training gun hit, vintage Bentleys, travel, gardening, imbibing local wines when in Spain.

ADDRESSES: Home—Mallorca, Spain.

CAREER: British Merchant Merchant marine, 1943–49, began as an novice, became third officer; called reach the Bar and practiced decree, 1952–54; writer, 1954–

MEMBER: Paternosters.

WRITINGS:

Evidence nigh on the Accused, Collins (London, England), 1961, British Book Center (New York, NY), 1963.

Exhibit No.

Thirteen, Collins (London, England), 1962.

Police distinguished Detection, Brockhampton Press (Leicester, England), 1962, published as Against Time!, Harper (London, England), 1963.

The Prudent of Death, Collins (London, England), 1963, Dodd (New York, NY), 1964.

An Embarrassing Death, Collins (London, England), 1964, Dodd (New Dynasty, NY), 1965, Black Dagger (Bath, England), 2006.

Dead against the Lawyers, Dodd (New York, NY), 1965.

Police Dog, Brockhampton Press (Leicester, England), 1965.

Death in the Coverts, Writer (London, England), 1966.

A Deadly Marriage, Collins (London, England), 1967.

Police Car, Brockhampton Press (Leicester, England), 1967, published as Patrol Car, Harpist (London, England), 1967.

A Traitor's Crime, Collins (London, England), 1968.

River Patrol, Harper (London, England), 1969.

Dead Man's Bluff, Collins (London, England), 1970.

Police Patrol Boat, Brockhampton Press (Leicester, England), 1971.

Trapped, Harper (London, England), 1972.

The Riddle in the Parchment, Hodder & Stoughton (London, England), 1976.

The Boy Who Knew Besides Much, Hodder & Stoughton (London, England), 1977.

Eighteen Desperate Hours, Hodder & Stoughton (London, England), 1979.

The Missing Man, Hodder & Stoughton (London, England), 1980.

Voyage into Danger, Hodder & Stoughton (London, England), 1981.

Peril at Sea, Hodder & Stoughton (London, England), 1983.

Sunken Danger, Hodder & Stoughton (London, England), 1985.

Meeting Trouble, Hodder & Stoughton (London, England), 1986.

The Man Who Couldn't Be, Hodder & Stoughton (London, England), 1987.

Dead against description Lawyers, Black Dagger Crime (Bath, England), 2003.

"INSPECTOR ALVAREZ" SERIES

Mistakenly rip open Mallorca, Collins (London, England), 1974.

Two Faced Death, Collins (London, England), 1976.

Troubled Deaths, Collins (London, England), 1977.

Murder Begets Murder, St.

Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1978.

Just Deserts, St. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1980.

Unseemly End, Consign. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1981.

Deadly Petard, Collins (London, England), 1983.

Three and One Make Five, Collins (London, England), 1984.

Layers slant Deceit, Collins (London, England), 1985.

Almost Murder, Collins (London, England), 1986.

Relatively Dangerous, Collins (London, England), 1987.

Death Trick, Collins (London, England), 1988.

Dead Clever, HarperCollins (London, England), 1989.

Too Clever by Half, St.

Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1990.

A Fatal Fleece, St. Martin's Monitor (New York, NY), 1991.

Murder's Forward-thinking Memory, St. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1992.

Murder Confounded, Pressurized. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1993.

Death Takes Time, St. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1994.

An Arcadian Death, HarperCollins (London, England), 1995.

An Artistic Way to Go, HarperCollins (London, England), 1996.

A 1 of Murders, St.

Martin's Urge (New York, NY), 1997.

An Reticent Disappearance, St. Martin's Minotaur (New York, NY), 2000.

An Artful Death, Collins (London, England), 2000, Connoisseur. Martin's Minotaur (New York, NY), 2002.

The Ambiguity of Murder, Demo. Martin' Minotaur (New York, NY), 2001.

Definitely Deceased, Severn House (Sutton, England), 2001.

Seeing Is Deceiving: Aura Inspector Alvarez Mystery, Severn Scaffold (Sutton, England), 2002.

An Intriguing Murder, Severn House (Sutton, England), 2003.

An Air of Murder, Severn Homestead (Sutton, England), 2003.

A Sunny Disappearance, Severn House (Sutton, England), 2005.

Murder Delayed, Severn House (Sutton, England), 2006.

Murder Needs Imagination, Severn Podium (Sutton, England), 2007.

"BRANDY" SERIES; Way in PSEUDONYM RODERIC GRAEME

Brandy Ahoy!, Settler (London, England), 1951.

Where's Brandy?, Colonist (London, England), 1953.

Brandy Goes clever Cruising, Hutchinson (London, England), 1954.

"BLACKSHIRT" SERIES; UNDER PSEUDONYM RODERIC GRAEME

Concerning Blackshirt, Hutchinson (London, England), 1952.

Blackshirt Wins the Trick, Hutchinson (London, England), 1953.

Blackshirt Passes By, Settler (London England), 1953.

Salute to Blackshirt, Hutchinson (London, England), 1954.

The Wonderful Mr.

Blackshirt, Hutchinson (London, England), 1955.

Blackshirt Meets the Lady, Colonist (London, England), 1956.

Paging Blackshirt, Gents Long (London, England), 1957.

Blackshirt Helps Himself, John Long (London, England), 1958.

Double for Blackshirt, John Lenghty (London, England), 1958.

Blackshirt Sets distinction Pace, John Long (London, England), 1959.

Blackshirt Sees It Through, Bathroom Long (London, England), 1960.

Blackshirt Finds Trouble, John Long (London, England), 1961.

Blackshirt Takes the Trail, Bog Long (London, England), 1962.

Blackshirt cease the Spot, John Long (London, England), 1963.

Call for Blackshirt, Trick Long (London, England), 1963.

Blackshirt Saves the Day, John Long (London, England), 1964.

Danger for Blackshirt, Lavatory Long (London, England), 1965.

Blackshirt explore Large, John Long (London, England), 1966.

Blackshirt in Peril, John Make do (London, England), 1967.

Blackshirt Stirs Attributes Up, John Long (London, England), 1969.

UNDER PSEUDONYM HASTINGS DRAPER

Wiggery Pokery, W.H.

Allen (London, England), 1956.

Wigged and Gowned, W.H. Allen (London, England), 1958.

Brief Help, W.H. Filmmaker (London, England), 1961.

UNDER PSEUDONYM Choreographer HASTINGS

Twice Checked, R. Hale (London, England), 1959.

Deadly Game, R. Hearty (London, England), 1961.

UNDER PSEUDONYM JEFFREY ASHFORD

Counsel for the Defence, Can Long (London, England), 1960.

Investigations Preparation Proceeding, John Long (London, England), 1961, published as The D.I., Harper (London, England), 1962.

The Sieve of Proof, Harper (London, England), 1962.

Will Anyone Who Saw illustriousness Accident …, Harper (London, England), 1963.

Enquiries Are Continuing, John Stretched (London, England), 1964, published rightfully The Superintendent's Room, Harper (London, England), 1965.

The Hands of Innocence, John Long (London, England), 1965, Walker & Co.

(New Royalty, NY), 1966.

Consider the Evidence, Footslogger & Co. (New York, NY), 1966.

Hit and Run, Arrow Books (London, England), 1966.

Forget What Paying attention Saw, Walker & Co. (New York, NY), 1967.

Grand Prix Monaco, Putnam (New York, NY), 1968.

Prisoner at the Bar, Walker & Co.

(New York, NY), 1969.

Grand Prix Germany, Putnam (New Royalty, NY), 1970.

To Protect the Guilty, Walker & Co. (New Royalty, NY), 1970.

Bent Copper, Walker & Co. (New York, NY), 1971.

Grand Prix United States, Putnam (New York, NY), 1971.

A Man Inclination Be Kidnapped Tomorrow, Walker & Co.

(New York, NY), 1972.

Grand Prix Britain, Putnam (New Royalty, NY), 1973.

The Double Run, Framework & Co. (New York, Memory, 1973.

Dick Knox at Le Mans, Putnam (New York, NY), 1974.

The Color of Violence, Walker & Co. (New York, NY), 1974.

Three Layers of Guilt, John Well along (London, England), 1975.

Slow Down interpretation World, Walker & Co.

(New York, NY), 1976.

Hostage to Death, Walker & Co. (New Royalty, NY), 1977.

The Anger of Fear, Walker & Co. (New Dynasty, NY), 1978.

A Recipe for Murder, Walker & Co. (New Dynasty, NY), 1979.

The Loss of distinction Culion, Walker & Co. (New York, NY), 1981.

Guilt with Honour, Walker & Co.

(New Royalty, NY), 1982.

A Sense of Loyalty, Collins (London, England), 1983, Footslogger & Co. (New York, NY), 1984.

Presumption of Guilt, Walker & Co. (New York, NY), 1984.

An Ideal Crime, Collins (New Royalty, NY), 1985, Walker & Boss. (New York, NY), 1986.

A Subject of Principle, Collins (London, England), 1986, St.

Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1987.

A Crime Remembered, Collins (London, England), 1987, Slam into. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1988.

The Honourable Detective, HarperCollins (London, England), 1988, St. Martin's Cogency (New York, NY), 1989.

A Anxiety of Interests, St. Martin's Entreat (New York, NY), 1989.

An Veto Solution, St.

Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1990.

Deadly Reunion, Constant. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1991.

Twisted Justice, St. Martin's Shove (New York, NY), 1992.

Judgement Deferred, St. Martin's Press (New Dynasty, NY), 1993.

The Bitter Bite, Fallacious. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1994.

The Price of Failure, Meander.

Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1995.

Loyal Disloyalty, St. Martin's Hold sway over (New York, NY), 1996.

Web detect Circumstances, Severn House (Sutton, England), 1998.

The Cost of Innocence, River House (Sutton, England), 1999.

Honest Betrayal, Severn House (Sutton, England), 1999.

Looking-Glass Justice, Severn House (Sutton, England), 2000.

Murder Will Out, Severn Villa (Sutton, England), 2001.

A Truthful Injustice, Severn House (Sutton, England), 2002.

A Fair Exchange Is Robbery, River House (Sutton, England), 2002.

Evidentially Guilty, Severn House (Sutton, England), 2004.

Deadly Corruption, Severn House (Sutton, England), 2005.

UNDER PSEUDONYM PETER ALDING

The C.I.D.

Room, John Long (London, England), 1967, published as All Leads Negative, Harper (London, England), 1967.

Circle of Danger, John Long (London, England), 1968.

Murder among Thieves, Privy Long (London, England), 1969, McCall (New York, NY), 1970.

Guilt out Proof, John Long (London, England), 1970, McCall (New York, NY), 1971.

Despite the Evidence, John Lengthy (London, England), 1971, Saturday Dialogue Press (New York, NY), 1972.

Call Back to Crime, John Extensive (London, England), 1972.

Field of Fire, John Long (London, England), 1973.

The Murder Line, Walker & Veneer.

(New York, NY), 1974.

Six Era to Death, Walker & C in c. (New York, NY), 1975.

Murder Silt Suspected, Walker & Co. (New York, NY), 1978.

Ransom Town, Framing & Co. (New York, NY), 1979.

A Man Condemned, R. Athletic (London, England), 1981.

Betrayed by Death, R. Hale (London, England), 1982.

One Man's Justice, R.

Hale (London, England), 1983.

ADAPTATIONS: Several of Jeffries's books have been adapted stingy films, television, radio, and sound cassettes.

SIDELIGHTS: Roderic Jeffries began top career by writing books featuring his father's character, Blackshirt, natty popular detective whose adventures put on appeared in print for haunt decades.

In time Jeffries biramous out and began to get by a variety of mystery novels under several different names. Her majesty most popular character is Guardian Enrique Alvarez of the Country island resort of Mallorca, "a middleaged man with a revolve of a middleaged spread [who] takes a diligent, unhurried disband to solving crime," according persuade a reviewer for Publishers Weekly.

Alvarez's cases usually concern British tourists who are enjoying their holidays in the Spanish sun conj at the time that they get entangled in fatal affairs.

In Death Takes Time, for example, Alvarez must appraise the odd deaths of triad English visitors. One has collapsed from her terrace, another dies from a heroin overdose, illustrious the third is found departed of gunshot wounds. A force plot and a seemingly unthinkable timetable for the murders adds to the mystery, which Alvarez solves with what a Publishers Weekly critic called an "easy charm."

A Maze of Murders, integrity twenty-first Inspector Alvarez mystery, "features a particularly clever and testing story line with enough slaying agony, blackmail, and double-crosses to restrain the pages turning rapidly," get the message the estimation of Booklist arbiter Stuart Miller.

The inspector's innermost self is explored in greater catholic than usual, as well; unwind muses about the changes consider it tourism has brought to consummate home, and about his tainted feelings toward those changes. Unquestionable is also romantically drawn require the young cousin of work out of his key suspects, sports ground this situation reveals to readers why the inspector has on no occasion married.

Miller rated this finished a "must read" for accustomed fans of Alvarez and "a wonderful introduction" for those newborn to the series.

An Enigmatic Disappearance drew praise from numerous reviewers. In this mystery, Alvarez investigates the disappearance of a good-looking young woman who is honesty wife of a fussy, no good, much older man.

Did she leave of her own accord? Alvarez at first assumes ditch she did, but when of course discovers that the missing woman's husband had a similar occasion in his past involving cool previous wife—which included a slaying agony and a large insurance premium—he realizes that things are extra serious than they at twig seemed. A Publishers Weekly reviewer wrote: "This is another petite gem in a series drift never fails to amuse."

Retired Bolivian diplomat Guido Zavala is derrick dead in his swimming spring in The Ambiguity of Murder, and the murder is in the near future connected to drug dealing.

Alvarez also discovers that the lifeless man's young wife was taking accedence an affair with a safer who owed her husband process. Jennifer Monahan Winberry noted inferior a review for Mystery Reader online that, although Jeffries has written many previous novels make a fuss this series, the author "has not allowed his job detonation jade his outlook on possessions, and he is just by reason of determined not to settle make any answer, but to search for aim out the truth."

An Artful Death finds Alvarez hoping that Keith Vickers is missing due come together accident or suicide, but considering that his body comes to rendering surface in a local inlet, it is clear that surrounding has been foul play significant the inspector must act.

While in the manner tha Alvarez questions a British commode minister, with whom the departed man had quarreled, he enrages his superior, Chief Salas. Wonderful Publishers Weekly contributor noted lose one\'s train of thought Alvarez "has a Columbo-like ability for fooling people into underestimating him."

A Publishers Weekly reviewer wrote that in Definitely Deceased, "the pace is deliberate, the pathway to the solution is devilish and Alvarez is suavely persuasive as he doggedly pursues justice." This story finds Alvarez attempting to clear Miguel Munar intelligent a smuggling charge, but magnanimity witness who may confirm tiara innocence turns up dead vacate a missing hand and attitude.

Police Chief Salas orders saunter the case be taken stumble over by Inspector Fuster, who would like to show up Alvarez.

Seeing Is Deceiving: An Inspector Alvarez Mystery begins on Good Weekday, with Alvarez giving up rule cognac and women, which in good time has him in a deficient state of mind. He has two cases to solve, tune the death of bank journeyman Robina Wade, and the attention the death of Marcial Ramos, whose body and motorcycle emblematic found at the bottom short vacation a ravine.

The latter make somebody believe you becomes more interesting when Alvarez discovers that Ramos had antiquated a peeping Tom.

An Intriguing Murder features the drowning death get the message Scott "Dinty" Muir, a squirearchy man who once broke decency heart of Zara Locke, colleen of British expatriates Laura topmost Keir, in whose pool excellence body is found.

Muir, who was a hemophiliac, was stabbed. Zara committed suicide because look up to the failed romance, and straightaway the Lockes become come suspects. When Alvarez finds nearly swell million euros in Muir's department safe, marked with the emblem of a government official, operate suspects bribery may be convoluted. Other characters include Muir's pretty blonde date, who flirts pertain to Alvarez, gossipy Adela, and goodness Muir servants, Pablo and Elena.

"Brisk and brimming with burlesque, with a handsomely satisfying tight spot for the armchair detective," over a Kirkus Reviews contributor.

Alvarez shambles suspended from his job consign An Air of Murder as Lady Gerrard complains to Salas about Alvarez's investigation of integrity murder of her servant, Dora, especially when the suspect seems to be her employer's brother-in-law.

Alvarez continues to enjoy his life—taking naps and sipping cognac squeeze coffee—in A Sunny Disappearance waiting for the trophy wife of Nation yachtsman Maurice Rook reports him missing, following the loss rule their wealth when a opulence deal falls through.

Alvarez suspects that the couple may receive faked his drowning in uproar to collect on a million-dollar insurance policy, but his speculation dissolves when the decomposed target of the man washes go in on shore. Now he suspects that it may have antique murder, but as he continues his investigation, Alvarez becomes stricken with the victim's niece, who herself may have had motives.

Emily Melton in Booklist sempiternal Jeffries's "deft plotting, delightful antiheroine, laugh-aloud humor."

In Murder Delayed, high-mindedness British police are trying around track down Michael Faber, who swindled his company and outstanding the country, presumably for Mallorca. Alvarez is assigned the carrycase and reluctantly pursues it, anticipating for a single man arrange clearly described on an isle full of expatriates and tourists.

His chase is interrupted bypass a romantic interlude, enjoyment dig up his favorite pleasures, and regular murder. "Deliciously arch as ever," commented a Kirkus Reviews institutor, "Alvarez ends up clearing honourableness case in a way that's as satisfying as it critique improbably logical."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, September 15, 1993, review promote to Murder Confounded, p.

131; Nov 1, 1994, review of Death Takes Time, p. 480; Dec 15, 1995, review of An Arcadian Death, p. 688; June 1, 1997, review of An Artistic Way to Go, proprietress. 1666; January 1, 1998, Painter Miller, review of A Convolutions of Murders, p. 782; Apr 15, 1998, review of A Maze of Murders, p. 1366; May 1, 2001, Stuart Playwright, review of The Ambiguity mention Murder, p.

1634; July, 2001, Stuart Miller, review of Definitely Deceased, p. 1987; November 15, 2002, Barbara Biel, review hint An Artful Death, p. 580; January 1, 2003, Emily Melton, review of An Intriguing Murder, p. 855; March 15, 2004, Stuart Miller, review of An Air of Murder, p. 1271; February 1, 2005, Emily Melton, review of A Sunny Disappearance, p.

946; February 1, 2006, Emily Melton, review of Murder Delayed, p. 33.

Kirkus Reviews, Honourable 1, 1993, review of Murder Confounded, p. 967; October 15, 1994, review of Death Takes Time, p. 1372; May 15, 1997, review of An Tasteful Way to Go, p. 764; December 1, 1997, review go rotten A Maze of Murders, proprietress.

1742; May 1, 2002, study of Seeing Is Deceiving: Fleece Inspector Alvarez Mystery, p. 619; February 15, 2003, review closing stages An Intriguing Murder, p. 273; February 1, 2005, review simulated A Sunny Disappearance, p. 152; April 1, 2006, review always Murder Delayed, p. 326.

Library Journal, December, 1995, review of An Arcadian Death, p.

163; Grave, 2001, Debra Mitts, review dressingdown Definitely Deceased, p. 170.

Publishers Weekly, July 19, 1993, review catch Murder Confounded, p. 238; Nov 21, 1994, review of Death Takes Time, p. 71; Nov 17, 1997, review of A Maze of Murders, p. 56; July 17, 2000, review elaborate An Enigmatic Disappearance, p.

178; March 19, 2001, review discover The Ambiguity of Murder, owner. 79; July 2, 2001, analysis of Definitely Deceased, p. 56; June 10, 2002, review sum Seeing Is Deceiving, p. 45; December 2, 2002, review unredeemed An Artful Death, p. 37; April 3, 2006, review catch the fancy of Murder Delayed, p.

45.

Rapport, crowd 4, 1996, review of An Arcadian Death, p. 25.

ONLINE

Mystery Reader, http://www.themysteryreader.com/ (December 26, 2006), Jennifer Monahan Winberry, review of The Ambiguity of Murder.