The Crime-Book Society paperback edition No.80 - 1939?
There were nine Blackshirt novels published by Bruce Graeme between 1925 and 1940, from Blackshirt to Blackshirt Strikes Back. This is the second one I have read (see Blog of 19 July 2025 for my review of Blackshirt Again (1929) which was No. 5 in the Crime-Book Society's "Pocket" Library paperbacks). This, with the above book, were the only two in the numbered, series of 85. There is also Lord Blackshirt (1942) - featuring the son of the original Blackshirt - which was in the paperback series, but a later one and unnumbered; I have not, so far, tracked this one down.
Like Leo Grex (Leonard Gribble), the subject of my last Blog, Graeme was a founding member of the Crime Writers' Association. Interestingly, his son, Roderic Jeffries, continued writing novels featuring Blackshirt. As one reviewer has written, Blackshirt is a fascinating character, audacious, quick-witted, humorous, tenacious and resourceful. His escapades in Blackshirt takes a Hand fit this bill perfectly. Essentially, it is three stories (which could have all been independent novellas) linked by dear Blackshirt (Verrell the famous crime writer) and an old sparring partner, Janet Dove. She had previously double-crossed Blackshirt, with a haul of jewels and fled to France for a very long holiday. She's back - and in his bedroom. She has a 'job' for him. A newspaper cutting explains: Wanted. - The services of a polite cracksman, required for a delicate but legitimate mission. Very liberal terms. Well, inevitably, he is 'caught'; so, off he goes to accomplish this mission. It brings him into contact with a short, stout man of about forty-five years. His hair, except where it was tinged with grey around the temples, was black, and so immaculately groomed that it reflected the soft blue light which filtered through the lamp-shade. He wore a monocle. Sounds like a well-off cove; and he is just that. The Comte de Vézier is a prominent sportsman and racehorse owner, a popular member of both English and French society and an inveterate European traveller. He had placed the (fake) newspaper ad to entice Blackshirt. He is also a major figure in the Cinque C's (Consortium Continental de Collectionneurs de Cristauux et de Curiosités), whose H.Q. is along the Champs Elysées. It is a highly sophisticated criminal organisation, which collects curios and objets d'art by any means.
Apparently, due to Great Britain being once more on the road to prosperity (1937? huh!), the Cinque C's are wanting to move their operations across the Channel. We are criminals only because - like yourself, Blackshirt - we were born with a desire for adventure...But, the Comte also has disturbing news: Inspector Cavaroc of the French Sûreté Nationale is, like a bloodhound, fast on the group's trail. Cavaroc will figure often in the following story. In three days' time the daughter of Sir Martyn Milligan is to be married. Among her presents is a very fine pair of ear-rings which came from India just after the Indian Mutiny. Blackshirt is challenged to steal them. He takes up the challenge; goes home, dons his black outfit and succeeds in breaking into the Milligan household. He acquires the ear-rings. But Cavaroc knocks on the front door before he can escape. Caught, he is taken by a 'policeman' to - the Comte! The latter not only pockets the ear-rings but says Blackshirt has to do a major job for him - steal the famous Orb of Rheims.
Janet Dove contacts Blackshirt again, to meet up in Hyde Park. It is then that she delivers a second bombshell - she is not Janet Dove, his old mucker, but Lady Janet Tremayne, who ran away from her father the Marquis of Brete and her family to pursue, eventually, a life of crime. She now wants him to travel to Crex Abbey, the home of Lord Crex, where her brother Lord Robin Tremayne, who is in the Diplomatic Service is involved in a vital mission. The German Ambassador is coming to the Abbey to discuss a draft pact of non-aggression between Great Britain and Germany. Alack and alas, the terms of the pact has been stolen from Robin. Blackshirt, please help. The story describes how Blackshirt and Janet get invited to Crex Abbey (but so do the Comte, followed by the sleuth Cavaroc) and attempt to retrieve the draft pact document. Blackshirt foils a ingenious ruse to get the document out of the country to France. Lord Robin is saved from disgrace .
The scene then moves to Peak House, the residence of Sir Thomas and Lady Ragge. They are to celebrate the 21st birthday of their son, George Edward. Relevance? This is where the Orb - amongst a large pile of goodies - is kept. A very clever set-up enables Blackshirt to get into a strongroom, snatch the Orb and pass it to a member of the Cinque C's (who had once more impersonated an officer of the law) and return to the bedroom corridor to link up with the Hon. Janet. The Orb is on its way back to France. The novel ends with Lady Janet, Verrell and the Comte celebrating together, to be joined by the rueful Cavaroc.
Although much was improbable, I enjoyed the fast-moving narrative. Blackshirt was not just a super hero going it alone; this time he had to rely on others to extricate himself from being caught. I had hoped for more romance between him and Janet - perhaps this occurred in the later novels.
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