To Die Like a Gentleman, Bernard Bastable — 1st Edition

£16.00

To Die Like a Gentleman, Bernard Bastable — 1st Edition

Name: To Die Like a Gentleman, Bernard Bastable — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5509
Price: 16.00 GBP
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Publication: London, Macmillan, 1993

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [vi], 208.

Condition Report: Very Good. The light grey cloth boards are exceptionally clean and bright, featuring sharp corners and brilliant gilt lettering to the spine, showing only the most microscopic hint of shelving wear to the spine extremities. The binding remains remarkably tight and square, opening with the stiffness of an unread copy. The text block is pleasingly solid, though the page edges and margins present a uniform, light age-toning typical of the paper stock of this period. The original, unclipped dust jacket, retaining its net price, presents beautifully with vibrant, un-faded colours across the panels, marred only by faint edge-creasing along the upper rim and a touch of rubbing at the spine ends. The interior pages are entirely pristine and free from any tears, foxing, or previous ownership inscriptions, making this a highly attractive, collectible copy.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition, first impression of Bernard Bastable's Victorian mystery, complete with the full number line '1 3 5 7 9 8 6 4 2' upon the copyright page. Bastable was the historical crime pseudonym of the celebrated English mystery writer and critic Robert Barnard, who won the Cartier Diamond Dagger for his lifetime contribution to the genre.

Bound in the publisher’s original cloth with the 'Macmillan Crime Case' dust jacket, this edition stands as a handsome example of early 1990s British crime publishing. While not exceedingly rare on the open market, locating a first printing in such uncompromised condition, without the usual ex-library stamps or heavy reading wear commonly associated with genre fiction of this era, is becoming increasingly uncommon.

Set against the backdrop of 1842 Victorian England, To Die Like a Gentleman invites readers into the seemingly proper yet deeply fractured household of Elmstead Court. Sir Richard Hudson rules his family with a tyrannical grip, alienating his rebellious daughter, frustrating his ambitious son, and driving his wife into the arms of the local physician. When the newly appointed governess, Miss Frances Weyland, arrives, she is swiftly entangled in the household's simmering rivalries and hidden passions. Yet the true threat emanates from Sir Richard's odious manservant, Joseph, whose sinister influence casts a long shadow over the estate. Told ingeniously through a medley of secret diaries and confessional letters, this gripping historical whodunit masterfully builds to an inevitable, yet startling, murder, delivered with the sly wit and meticulous plotting that are the hallmarks of Robert Barnard's enduring legacy.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Bernard Bastable

Book Publisher: Macmillan

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Crime & Mystery

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 208

Book Publication Year: 1993

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: Macmillan Crime Case

Country/region of manufacture: Chatham, Kent, 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.