I Am The Only Running Footman

MARTHA GRIMES

Publication: Michael O'Mara Books Limited, 1986, London

First U. K. edition. 8vo. Dark blue cloth, titles stamped in silver on the spine, [12], 206 pp. Inked inscription by the author on the half title page to Edgar winning author David Cornwell (John le Carre) and his wife Jane: "To Jane and David / Hope I see you next time / Martha."

Grimes's eighth novel featuring Scotland Yard inspector Richard Jury, in which he investigates the murders of a pair of young women, known as the "Porphyria killings." Grimes and le Carré taught together at Johns Hopkins University during the 1980s, and it was le Carré who suggested the title for Grimes's 1999 novel The Lamorna Wink, named for a pub near his home in Cornwall. In a 1999 article for South Coast Today, Grimes said: "People give you suggestions all the time but, not being John le Carré, they are rarely right." A nice association linking two MWA Grand Masters.

Fine in a bright fresh dust jacket.