THE RED HOUSE MYSTERY

The original first printing of Alan Alexander Milne’s only foray into the mystery crime genre was written and published in 1922. I found one on-line, but ….. cost prohibitive even for me, so halfheartedly, I settled for a reprint dated 2009. The Red House Mystery sets the stage with secret passages, uninvited guests, a sinister valet and a puzzling murder. A classic crime caper.

I love the way Milne (1882 – 1956) writes:

“Chapter 1 – Mrs. Stevens is Frightened

In the drowsy heat of the summer afternoon the Red House was taking its siesta. There was a lazy murmur of bees in the flower-borders, a gentle cooing of pigeons in the tops of the elms. From distant lawns came the whir of a mowing-machine, …….”

You know this author. He read you to sleep when you were a child.  You romped with him through the hundred acre wood, and you lived with him in his house at Pooh corner. But did you know that he was a distinguished dramatist (writing 34 plays); serious novelist and Poet, before introducing us to Winnie the Pooh? A.A. Milne was prolific in many genres but his greatness was realized only in his Pooh characters.

The Red House Mystery has Milne’s unique voice throughout including some of the witty humor you remember from his Pooh books. As a matter-of-fact, if you do read this one, do yourself a favor and then (re) read Pooh. I think you will be surprised.

Feather Trail Press – 2009/119 pages; mystery crime

Original publication by Methuen & Co. Ltd., 1922