Hag's Nook - John Dickson Carr

Paperback book
Penguin #C256 1967 (First Published 1933, First Penguin 1940)

In his detecting debut, larger than life lexicographer Dr. Gideon Fell is entertaining young American college graduate Tad Rampole at Yew Cottage, Fell's charming home in the English countryside.  Within sight of his study window is the ruin of Chatterham Prison, perched high on a precipice known as Hag's Nook.  The prison's land belongs to the Starberth family - whose eldest sons must each spend an hour in the prison's eerie "Governor's Room" to inherit the family fortune.

Rampole is especially interested in the family, having met the young and beautiful Dorothy Starberth on the train from London.  He readily agrees when Fell and the local reverend, Thomas Saunders, ask him to accompany them as they watch and wait for badly frightened Martin Starberth to complete 'his hour' in the prison.  Martin has every reason to be afraid; more than one Starberth heir has met an untimely end.  Will his turn come tonight?

Condition:
The book is in very good condition for its age.  The cover has a small bald patch on the back near to the spine, a couple of slightly creased / bent corners, slight edge wear, vertical creases and bowing to the spine, faint surface marks and scratches and slight age browning on the front.  Inside, the book has some slightly creased / bent corners, minor marks and wear and slight age browning.  The pages appear to be in tight and clean condition for their age.