comic detective stories

Publisher, George Newnes, Southampton, 1925. 

128 pages

13 x 18 cm

Bertram Atkey was born on 25 December 1879 in Redlynch, Wiltshire, England, UK. He was a writer and actor, known for The Secret Kingdom (1925) and After Dark (1924). He died on 12 June 1952 in Sway, Hampshire, England, UK.

He was the creator of Smiler Bunn, a character who may have inspired John Dickson Carr's Sir Henry Merivale. He also invented a disabled boy detective, Nelson Chiddenham and an upper-class detective called Prosper Fair who is the Duke of Devizes in disguise. Atkey was the uncle and father-in-law of Barry Perowne, who writing under his legal name Philip Atkey continued the adventures of Prosper Fair in a series of short stories which were published in The Saint Mystery Magazine between 1960 and 1965.

 

"The Un-Punctual Painting" by Bertram Atkey is reprinted from his collection Smiler Bunn, Gentleman Adventurer (1927). This is a funny comic detective story. Smiler Bunn, who appeared in many books, is not well known today - at least, I've never read any of his tales. Smiler Bunn:

Is middle aged

Is a comic detective of high intelligence but silly character

Calls himself "the old man".

Has an earthy, salty quality, in contrast to the high-toned people he meets.

Uses a lot of contractions when speaking: "I'm, don't, m'friends..."

Looks at people with a "benign gaze".

Comforts women with awkward, hearty language - but effectively

Talks well to children: "Hello, sonny. Looking at the pictures, hey?"