Gaston Boca

The Seventh Guest Gaston Boca

'... Boca's brilliant impossible crime novel... takes Paris sleuths Stéphane Triel and Luc Duthiel into some very dark waters when they accept the invitation of a stranger, Jeanne d'Arlon, to join her and her husband at Nanteuil Manor. On their arrival, Triel and Duthiel find that Benoît Gérapin, the nephew of the manor's concierge, has apparently taken his own life; only Gérapin's large footprints are visible in the mud surrounding the cabin containing his hanged corpse. Certain details, including traces of red lipstick on the dead man's mouth, argue against suicide, posing a mystery that's just the prelude to more impossibilities. Boca (1903-2000) leavens the grim story line with humor while creating a palpable atmosphere of menace reminiscent of John Dickson Carr and imbuing his characters with psychological depth. Fans of golden age puzzle mysteries won't want to miss this gem.' Publishers Weekly. Further impossibilities include a seventh guest who can walk through walls. The eventual solution reveals a monstrously evil plan behind it all. Locked Room International translates and publishes the works of international impossible crime authors past and present. For information about signed and lettered editions of all living authors please contact pugmire1@yahoo.com or go to www.mylri.com.