I’m a big fan of Edward D. Hoch’s mystery stories so when Crippen & Landru announced The Will O’ the Wisp Mystery I immediately ordered it. The Will O’ the Wisp Mystery is a series of six interconnected stories about David Piper (aka, “The Manhunter”), the head of the Department of Apprehension. After six convicts escape from prison, Piper follows to clues to discover where the escapees are hiding. But, Hoch is a crafty writer so there’s a much larger scheme lurking behind these six stories.

Also included are Father David Noone mystery stories. My favorite of this group is “Game of Skill” where a man threatens to blow up Noone’s church. I also liked “The Thing in Lover’s Lane” where two murders lead to a surprising conclusion.

If you’re a Hoch fan, The Will O’ the Wisp Mystery is a must read book! GRADE: B+

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Introduction by Tom Mead — 7

The Will-O’-the-Wisp Mystery

The Pawn — 11

The Rook — 25

The Knight — 41

The Bishop — 57

The Queen — 72

The King — 89

Father David Noone

Game of Skill — 105

The Thing in Lover’s Lane –124

The Sweating Statue — 145

One More Circus — 159

The Arrow of Ice — 176

Hand of God — 189

Searching for Sammy Sand — 205

Sources — 222