Hugo Blayn [John Russell Fearn] — Except for One Thing

London, Stanley Paul and Co. [1948]. Cloth. A very scarce early edition of this detective novel, the first to star Inspector Garth; written by prolific science fiction and crime author, John Russell Fearn under the pseudonyms, Hugo Blayn. An early edition of this exceptionally scarce work by John Russell Fearn under the pseudonym, Hugo Blayn.  Bound in the original publisher's cloth binding and unclipped dust wrapper.  Undated, with the date established from the British Library record and a publisher's advertisement for his 1948 novel, The Five Matchboxes. Throughout his career, Fearn published under his own and numerous pen names, including Vargo Statten and Volsted Gridban. As Hugo Blayn, he produced numerous scarce novels including, What Happened to Hammond? ,1951 and The Silvered Cage, 1955.  Already established as a prolific science fiction author, Fearn branched out into a wider variety of genres from 1944 onwards, primarily more refined detective fiction. His large output of vivid, yet unpolished novels is characteristic of the post-war pulp fiction boom. Except For One Thing, is the debut novel in his series of books starring Scotland Yard's finest fictional detective, Inspector Garth. In this cat-and-mouse detective story, a scheming chemist creates an elaborate story to cover for the murder of his fiance and it is up to the Inspector to uncover the truth behind her death. Very scarce, with only four copies held institutionally. Bound in the original publisher's cloth binding. Externally, very smart. Minor soiling to board extremities. Unclipped dust wrapper, smart. Soiling to panels and spine. Minor edgewear consisting of creasing and chips to head and tail of spine, less so to fold extremities. Minor offsetting to reverse wrap. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Scattered spotting to outermost leaves and text block fore edge. Age toning characteristic of this paper type. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good/Very Good.