This new Soho paperback omnibus collects five of Margaret Millar’s mysteries from the 1940s. Three novels feature PSYCHOLOGIST PAUL PRYE: The Invisible Worm (1941), The Weak-Eyed Bat (1942), and The Devil Loves Me (1942). My favorite mysteries in this volume feature Toronto police detective, INSPECTOR SANDS. The Wall of Eyes (1943) and The Iron Gates (1945) contain some of Margaret Millar’s best writing. If you haven’t read these early Millar’s, you are in for a treat! Soho deserves praise for reprinting Margaret Millar’s work in such an attractive, affordable format! GRADE: A
You can read my reviews of Margaret Millar’s work here, here, and here.
I have the other 4 volumes in the series. I will be gatting this.
Steve. I love this entire Millar series especially the graphic on the spine of the books! Very cool!
Getting this.
I’ve seen them – the library has some of them – and will definitely be getting them. I haven’t read enough Millar, but I’ve enjoyed all that I have read.
Jeff, Soho has done a fabulous job with this series.
George – Thanks for the post. I have not read any Inspector Sands’ stories.
Elgin, you’re in for a treat if you read the Inspector Sands mysteries!
This is just the kind of thing I would have purchased, all of the volumes, at one time. But I’m not buying much any more, and not a “collector” or even – at least I’m trying – an “accumulator”. These are good novels, from what I’ve heard, though probably not things I’d get around to any time soon. These feel more like “ought to” novels than “want to”. Still, good choice.
Rick, Margaret Millar did her best work in the 1950s in my opinion. But, these earlier mysteries show her development steps into a terrific writer. I’m also prone to encouraging small publishers like Soho by buying their books especially when they’re as good as COLLECTED MILLAR.
After all these years I’ll finally be able to read The Invisible Worm and The Weak-Eyed Bat. I’ve been checking the post daily for my copy. Monday, I hope.
I agree with you, George, that her best work was published in the ‘fifties. Do Evil in Return, Vanish in an Instant, and An Air That Kills were all published during that decade, though I’m quick to add that 1964’s The Fiend is as brilliant as it is daring.
Brian, I’m a big admirer of THE FIEND! But, as far as high quality mysteries I’d say the 1950s was Margaret Millar’s decade!
Wonderful, didn’t know this was out – I only have a couple of these – I prefer her work from the 50s and 60s, which she is better known for, but can’t wait to look at these early works – thanks George.
Sergio, I’m always interested in the development of a great writer. These early mysteries from the 1940s show how Millar got better with each book. Plus, these Soho paperbacks are priced right!