The Affair At Little Wokeham, Freeman Wills Crofts — 1st Edition

£45.50

The Affair At Little Wokeham, Freeman Wills Crofts — 1st Edition

Name: The Affair At Little Wokeham, Freeman Wills Crofts — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4213
Price: 45.50 GBP
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Publication: London, Hodder and Stoughton Limited, 1943

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 252.

Condition Report: Very Good. The original blue cloth boards remain relatively firm and square, displaying only minor shelf-wear and light bruising to the spine extremities. The binding is structurally sound, though the spine exhibits subtle sun-fading typical of the era's wartime economy materials. The text block is firm, and the pages are largely clean, with only light, expected tanning to the text block edges. The black spine lettering remains entirely legible and unoxidized. The front free endpaper bears a neat previous ownership signature. Overall, a highly presentable and sturdy copy.

Catalogue Note: True first UK edition of Freeman Wills Crofts's twenty-fourth Inspector French novel, published ahead of its American counterpart (which was released under the alternative title Double Tragedy). The copyright page bears the hallmark of wartime publishing, stating that the typography and binding conform to the "Authorized Economy Standard," a fascinating historical artifact of the era's material constraints. The book was printed in Edinburgh by T. and A. Constable Ltd.

The book features a comprehensive list of the author's preceding Inspector French novels on the page facing the title page. Copies are notoriously scarce in collectible condition, and this particular unjacketed copy bears the simple ownership signature of "Searle," offering a modest but pleasing touch of provenance.

In this masterfully crafted "inverted mystery," Freeman Wills Crofts introduces readers to Guy Plant, a man whose desperate financial straits lead him to orchestrate the demise of an elderly relative. Told from multiple perspectives, the novel allows the reader to witness both the meticulous planning of the crime and its execution. However, the true thrill lies in the arrival of the methodical and unrelenting Inspector Joseph French, who painstakingly unravels Plant's seemingly flawless scheme. Praised as a standout morality tale in the French canon, it is a brilliant showcase of Crofts's signature focus on ironclad alibis, logical deduction, and the psychological unraveling of the guilty.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Freeman Wills Crofts

Book Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Crime & Mystery

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 252

Book Publication Year: 1943

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Cloth

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: Inspector French

Country/region of manufacture: London, 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.