Design For Murder: Based on Paul Temple and the Gregory Affair
By (Author) Francis Durbridge
Introduction by Melvyn Barnes
HarperCollins Publishers
Collins Crime Club
5th February 2018
United Kingdom
General
Fiction
Classic crime and mystery fiction
823.914
Paperback
256
Width 129mm, Height 198mm, Spine 16mm
210g
Never before published in paperback, and back in print for the first time since 1951, this long-lost novelisation reworks the nail-biting radio serial Paul Temple and the Gregory Affair with new and original characters.
The Assistant Commissioner of Scotland Yard visits retired Detective Lionel Wyatt with the chilling news that an old adversary they never caught has struck again, strangling an innocent girl. Wyatt is reluctant to return to police work, but then another body is found this time at his own home, with a personal message: With the compliments of Mr Rossiter.
In Design for Murder, Francis Durbridge adapted his longest Paul Temple serial, Paul Temple and the Gregory Affair, into a full-length novel. All the obligatory elements from the thrilling radio episodes were present, but in a new twist, he renamed the principal characters: Paul and Steve Temple became Lionel and Sally Wyatt, and Mr Rossiter replaced the villainous Gregory. Reprinted for the first time in 66 years, fans of Francis Durbridge and of Paul Temple can finally relive this ingenious adventure.
Also includes an introduction by bibliographer Melvyn Barnes
plus the exclusive 1946 Radio Times short story
Paul Temples White Christmas.
Paul Temple gives thrills, suspense, and excitement for all. Daily Mail
Paul Temple commands a greater audience than any film actor or stage star. Temples adventures are listened to by millions of people all over the world. Temple is the modern Sherlock Holmes. Evening Standard
I enjoy every minute of Paul Temple. Its great! Daily Express
Mr Temple, the novelist with a genius for detection, is a phenomenon . . . probably the most famous of all modern fictional characters. London Evening News
Paul Temple has broken all records. The most famous . . . most persistently popular detective. Radio Times
Francis Henry Durbridge was born 25th November 1912 in Hull. In addition to writing mysteries for radio and television, Durbridge also forged a successful career as a writer for the stage and wrote 43 novels. Durbridge married Norah Lawley in 1940, they had two sons. He died at his home in Barnes aged 85 in 1998.