The Silk Stocking Murders (Detective Club Crime Classics)

By: Anthony Berkeley

Narrated by: Mike Grady

A classic Golden Age crime novel, and one of the first to feature a serial killer.

Investigating the disappearance of a vicar’s daughter in London, the popular novelist and amateur detective Roger Sheringham is shocked to discover that the girl is already dead, found hanging from a screw by her own silk stocking. Reports of similar deaths across the capital strengthen his conviction that this is no suicide cult but the work of a homicidal maniac out for vengeance – a desperate situation requiring desperate measures.

Having established Roger Sheringham as a brilliant but headstrong young sleuth who frequently made mistakes, trusted the wrong people and imbibed considerable liquid refreshment, Anthony Berkeley took his controversial character into much darker territory with The Silk Stocking Murders, a sensational novel about gruesome serial killings by an apparent psychopath bent on targeting vulnerable young women.

Critic reviews

‘Anthony Berkeley is the supreme master not of the “twist” but of the “double-twist”.’ Milward Kennedy in the Sunday Times

‘Detection and crime at its wittiest – all Berkeley’s stories are amusing, intriguing and he is a master of the final twist.’
Agatha Christie

Skip this one

Compared to Berkeley other works or to any other golden age novel this is quite terrible. Starts well and then becomes improbable unrealistic and goofy. Try jumping Jenny which is a masterpiece

Intriguing plot, compelling psychology

Setting aside the obviously outdated cultural references, a good and intriguing plot, really well constructed and entertaining. Looking forward to reading more. Great performance.