Sydney Horler — The Lessing Murder Case

London, Collins, 1935. First edition. Cloth. A scarce, signed copy of this thrilling mystery novel by best-selling author, Sydney Horler. The scarce first edition, second impression. Published in the same month as the first. In the publisher's original, full cloth binding. The author's presentation copy, inscribed by Horler to the title page, and dated 1938. A thrilling mystery novel following Horler's beloved character, Sir William Kirby, as he leads the prosecution for the trial of his own wife's murder. Sydney Horler was a British novelist and writer of thrillers, known for his popular titles, 'The Mystery of No. 1', and, 'Checkmate&apos. After being serialised in the News of the World, Horler's work became globally successful, and by the 1930s has sold two million copies. With two pages of critics reviews to the rear of the novel, alongside two pages of advertisements. With a review of the book pasted onto the front free endpaper. The half title page is present. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, a trifle rubbed with some shelf wear and fraying to the edges. Closed tears and fraying to the spine. Marks to the boards. Spine is darkened. Front hinge is weak, but still attached. Clipping of a review pasted to the front free endpaper. Age-toning and the odd mark to the paste-downs and free endpapers. Internally, binding strained but still firm. Spotting throughout, heavier towards the front and rear. Author's ink inscription to the title page. Age-toning to the pages, however the text is still very clear. Good . Ill.: None. Good .