These Names Make Clues

A treasure hunt party turns deadly in These Names Make Clues, leading Chief Inspector Macdonald into a complex mystery filled with deception and literary intrigue.

In These Names Make Clues, Chief Inspector Macdonald finds himself amidst a peculiar gathering at a treasure hunt party hosted by Graham Coombe, a notable figure in the literary world. The event, filled with authors and thrillers, takes a dark turn when one of the guests, masquerading under the name 'Samuel Pepys', is discovered dead in the telephone room. This shocking incident sets off a chain of events that challenges Macdonald and his CID team to navigate through a maze of pseudonyms, intricate clues, and deceptive alibis. The atmosphere is thick with intrigue as the detectives must decipher the meaning behind the various identities and the motives that might lie behind them.

As the investigation unfolds, the narrative delves into the complexities of human nature and the roles people play in society, both in their personal lives and in the literary world. The story raises questions about the ethics of detective work and the balance between professional duty and personal enjoyment. The metafictional elements of These Names Make Clues invite readers to ponder the relationship between reality and fiction, blurring the lines between the two.

Returning to print after decades, this 1937 classic offers a unique blend of humor and suspense, making it a delightful read for mystery enthusiasts. Macdonald's journey through this tangled web of identities not only seeks justice for the victim but also explores the deeper implications of identity and truth in a world where names can often be misleading.