The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed

The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed

£65.00
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The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed
  • The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed
  • The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed
  • The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed
  • The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed
  • The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed
  • The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed
  • The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed
  • The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed
  • The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed
  • The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed
  • The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed
  • The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed
  • The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed
  • The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed
  • The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed
  • The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed
The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed

The Key to the Case, Roger Ormerod — 1st Edition, Signed

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£65.00

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Publication: London, Constable & Company Limited, 1992

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [vi], 203.

Condition Report: Fine. The book presents exceptionally well in its original, unclipped dust jacket, which is currently housed in a protective clear sleeve, ensuring the panels remain bright and free from significant rubbing or shelf-wear. The black cloth-covered boards are clean with sharp corners, and the silver gilt-style lettering to the spine remains notably bright and unoxidised. The spine itself is tight and square, showing no signs of leaning or rolling. The text block is robust and clean, displaying only a whisper of the light, natural age-toning to the top and fore-edges that is typical of Constable's early 1990s paper stock. Internally, the pages are crisp and free from foxing, making this an excellent, well-preserved copy.

Catalogue Note: This is a first edition, first printing. The book holds a notable provenance, bearing a warm, contemporary presentation inscription on the title page in black ink: "To Eileen / With love from / Roger. / May / 92". The recipient is fellow British mystery author Eileen Dewhurst, a contemporary and friend of the author, making this a highly appealing association copy between two active twentieth-century crime writers.

While standard unsigned copies of Ormerod's later titles frequently surface, presentation copies linking two prominent genre authors are decidedly scarce on the open market.

Serving as the ninth instalment in the Richard and Amelia Patton series, The Key to the Case is a beautifully plotted, gritty whodunit that tackles a delightfully complex mystery. Ex-Detective Inspector Richard Patton finds himself confronted with two highly unusual and seemingly impossible cases: a man whose only alibi for one burglary is that he was committing another, and a grieving father desperate to prove his son's apparent suicide was actually a murder—despite being the sole suspect himself. Characterised by Ormerod's signature subtle approach to impossible crime fiction, the novel challenges the Pattons to untangle a meticulous web of deceit in a highly satisfying, traditional British mystery.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Roger Ormerod

Book Publisher: Constable & Company Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Crime & Mystery

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: Yes

Book Pages: 203

Book Publication Year: 1992

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: Richard and Amelia Patton

Country/region of manufacture: Melksham, Wiltshire, 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.

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