The first of a series of detective novels featuring "gentleman sleuth Philip Trent," later published under the title "Trent\'s Last Case."

Artist, connoisseur and private detective, Philip Trent, features in this classic and unputdownable collection, comprising eleven short stories. Including The Genuine Tabard in which a clergyman and unique objets d'art are involved in a neat confidence trick; The Foolproof Lift, in which a blackmailing valet is found murdered; and The Ordinary Hairpins in which a golden-haired opera singer commits suicide - but Trent is wisely suspicious.

Trent\'s Last Case by E. C. Bentley

Twelve stories from the celebrated author of one of the most famous mystery classics ever written, Trent's Last Case. Philip Trent is an artist, a journalist, and an urbane unraveller of highly problematical crimes. Here the unshakable sleuth appears in twelve tales of misadventure, where the crimes that he investigates range from fraud and embezzlement to criminal assault and murder, yet they all succumb to his adept methods even if the criminal sometimes escapes. Trent Intervenes affirms Bentley's reputation as an author of the first rank and displays his ability to write equally well in the short story form.

The second novel from the celebrated author of one of the most famous mystery classics ever written, Trent's Last Case. James Randolph is murdered early one evening and his body is found a few hours later. When the police arrive they discover that Randolph's safe has been ransacked and discarded wrapping paper litters his bedroom floor. Perhaps by chance or perhaps by design, Trent seems to have been the last person, other than the murderer, to see Randolph alive. But this is only one aspect amongst many which connect Trent with the murder and stimulate his interest: his friend Inspector Bligh is the detective in charge of the investigation, and then a long-time friend readily and perplexingly confesses his guilt. As much as he respects the abilities of Inspector Bligh, Trent's personal knowledge has him doubting the confession and intent on finding the truth.