Dominant Third, Elizabeth Hely — 1st Edition

£20.10

Dominant Third, Elizabeth Hely — 1st Edition

Name: Dominant Third, Elizabeth Hely — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6768
Price: 20.10 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Heinemann, 1959

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 266.

Condition Report: Near Fine. Bound in the publisher's original red cloth, the binding remains remarkably square and tight, featuring sharp corners and exhibiting only the faintest trace of shelf-wear to the extremities. Internally, the text block is exceptionally clean and well-preserved, with pages remaining bright and largely free from foxing, though presenting a touch of standard age-toning to the page edges as is typical for the paper stock of this post-war era. The volume is housed in its original, vibrant dust wrapper, which remains unclipped (retaining the original '15s net' flap price) and shows only minor, superficial rubbing to the spine ends and corner tips, presenting as a highly attractive, collectible example.

Catalogue Note: This is the true first edition of the author's debut novel. Elizabeth Hely was the pseudonym of Elizabeth Younger, an accomplished writer who, alongside her husband William Younger (known under the pseudonym William Mole), carved out a distinct space in mid-century British crime fiction.

This particular work introduced the character of Antoine Cirret, a sharp-witted detective of the Sûreté Nationale, who would go on to feature in Hely's subsequent mysteries.

While the novel was later published in the United States under the altered title I'll Be Judge, I'll Be Jury, and eventually adapted for American television, this original UK printing remains the definitive first appearance.

The volume is distinguished by its striking dust wrapper featuring a minimalist, atmospheric design by Stein. Surviving in such a remarkably preserved state, this first printing represents a lovely find for collectors of classic mid-century crime fiction.

Set against the romantic backdrop of the French countryside, the narrative begins as an idyllic honeymoon for British newlyweds Mark and Laura Needham, until Laura is brutally murdered in a secluded clump of brambles near Volnay. As Mark grapples with his devastating loss, the case falls to the brilliant Parisian detective Antoine Cirret of the Sûreté Nationale. Unconvinced by circumstantial leads and determined to find the true culprit, Cirret enlists the grieving husband into a dangerous psychological game of cat-and-mouse. Hely crafts an intricate, suspenseful narrative that explores the corrosive nature of vengeance and the dark undercurrents of the human psyche, delivering a masterful and deeply atmospheric crime thriller.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Elizabeth Hely

Book Publisher: Heinemann

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Crime & Mystery

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 266

Book Publication Year: 1959

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: Antoine Cirret

Country/region of manufacture: Kingswood, Surrey, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.