WEDNESDAY’S SHORT STORIES #140: THE KILLER EVERYONE KNEW AND OTHER CAPTAIN LEOPOLD STORIES By Edward D. Hoch

Ed Hoch wrote over 100 stories featuring Captain Leopold and Crippen & Landru’s new The Killer Everyone Knew collects 15 of the best stories in this series. “Captain Leopold’s Birthday” has been anthologized many times and might be one of Hoch’s best known stories. “The Retired Magician” is one of my favorite Ed Hoch stories.

Roland Lacourbe’s Introduction/Preface to The Killer Everyone Knew and Other Captain Leopold Stories goes into some detail about the stories in this collection. If you’re an Ed Hoch aficionado like me, you’ll enjoy this volume of wonderful stories. If you’re a casual fan of Hoch’s stories, you’ll find The Killer Everyone Knew and Other Captain Leopold Stories entertaining and compelling. GRADE: A

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Preface by Roland Lacourbe — 7

The Woman Without a Past — 15

Captain Leopold Beats the Machine — 32

Finding Joe Finch — 49

The Murder in Room 1010 — 66

The Crime in Heaven — 82

The Killer Everyone Knew — 99

Captain Leopold’s Birthday — 117

The Retired Magician — 135

Puzzle in a Smoke Filled Room — 152

The Summer of Our Discontent — 166

Leopold at Rest — 188

Leopold Lends a Hand — 207

The Mystery That Wouldn’t Stay Solved — 226

The Phantom Lover — 244

The Emerald Expert — 264

CAPTAIN LEOPOLD CHECKLIST (Sources) — 283

15 thoughts on “WEDNESDAY’S SHORT STORIES #140: THE KILLER EVERYONE KNEW AND OTHER CAPTAIN LEOPOLD STORIES By Edward D. Hoch

      1. Jeff+Meyerson

        I just heard back from Jeffrey Mark’s that the book was sent in early July and the USPS marked it as “delivered ” – not! We were away after July 4 but our next door neighbor is vigilant about picking up deliveries. He is sending a replacement copy.

    1. george Post author

      Jerry, Captain Leopold has his quirks, but they’re minor compared to some of Hoch’s characters. And, as you say, the stories are outstanding with great plots!

      Reply
  1. Arthur

    Thank you for listing the stories included in this new collection. I have read nearly all Captain Leopold stories and I’m currently missing only nine stories. Actually “Captain Leopold’s Birthday” is one of them. But I haven’t found it anthologized before as you wrote. More information?

    Reply
  2. Patty M "Pool"

    Hi George – thanks for sharing your blog info — found it entertaining and I’m going to check out The Killer that Everyone Knew.

    Reply

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