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
A worthy project…I wonder why “The Oblong Room” is omitted? I imagine that’s addressed in the introduction…
For whatever reason, I have not received my copy as yet. I’ve read all their Hoch collections to date.
Jeff, I’ve read several of these stories in other anthologies, but it’s always nice to have a Crippin & Landru book!
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.
Jeff, I occasionally have to contact publishers or booksellers when books don’t arrive. Stuff happens.
Leopold seems to me the most generic of Hoch’s many detectives. Perhaps that’s why so many of the stories are outstanding.
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!
Don’t think I have read one. Thanks.
Patti, I’ve read a ton of Ed Hoch short stories over the years. He is a craftsman of the highest order!
I have put the book on my wish list. I still haven’t read all of the other Hoch collections that I have, so I shouldn’t get it but I will anyway.
Tracy, like Jeff Meyerson, I’ve bought all the Ed Hoch collections published so far. Well worth it!
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?
Arthur, I’ll have to check my anthologies. As a Captain Leopold fan, you’ll love this collection!
Hi George – thanks for sharing your blog info — found it entertaining and I’m going to check out The Killer that Everyone Knew.
Patty, you’ll enjoy THE KILLER EVERYONE KNEW. The thing about Ed Hoch stories–like potato chips–is you can’t just stop at one!