Headon Hill [Francis Edward Grainger] — The Queen of Night

London, Ward, Lock & Co, 1896 . First edition. Leather. The very scarce first edition of Headon Hill's thrilling mystery novel about a criminal murdering syndicate which helps people get rid of their unwanted relatives. The very scarce first edition, first impression.In a half calf binding.Illustrated with a frontispiece.A very scarce first edition from Headon Hill, an author of popular adventure, detective, and spy stories.A contemporary review in The Spectator remarked upon this novel as 'a most ingenious story of the breathlessly sensational sort [..] the fundamental "idea" is a startling one, being that of a " murder syndicate" composed of persons whose interest it is to get rid of relatives, and who for this purpose send their victims off to sea in 'The Queen of Night&apos.With the armorial bookplate of British Liberal politician John Wynford Philipps, 1st Viscount St Davids to the front pastedown. With the inscription of A. G. Lewis to the front free endpaper. In a half calf binding, with cloth covered boards. Boards bright. Fading and rubbing to back strip, most concentrated to back strip head and raised bands. Front hinge a touch strained to head, but firmly held. Armorial bookplate to front pastedown, with inscription to front free endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright, with spotting throughout, and instances of foxing. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .