''Unwanted Corpse'' involves Merrion working alongside Scotland Yard's Inspector Arnold to solve a crime involving a body. The plot sets off with a sudden, mysterious death in the English countryside, leaving the local authorities with a literal "unwanted corpse" that disrupts the peace of a small community. Inspector Arnold of Scotland Yard handles the official, methodical police tracking and paperwork. Desmond Merrion, an analytical amateur investigator, works alongside Arnold to spot the subtle, unconventional clues the police overlook. True to Miles Burton's style, the book functions as a slow-burn, puzzle-driven procedural. The duo carefully deconstructs alibis and motives until they uncover a clever criminal scheme.

''Situation Vacant'' by Miles Burton (John Rhode) is a 1946 detective novel about a series of mysterious deaths in an English village, revolving around two secretaries to the same woman at a manor house, with Inspector Arnold and sleuth Desmond Merrion uncovering a cleverly poisoned plot after the local police rule the first death accidental and the second suspicious. The story features typical Burton elements like rural settings, red herrings, and wry humor, focusing on a unique poison and a well-hidden culprit.

''Return from the Dead'' (1959) by Miles Burton (John Rhode) features his regular investigators, Inspector Arnold of Scotland Yard and amateur sleuth Desmond Merrion. The mystery centers on the unfolding story of unexplained disappearances in South America, a valuable treasure which is a stimulus for crime, and the murder of a receptionist in London, with the investigation leading back to a village connected to Merrion's own home.

''Situation Vacant''  by Miles Burton (John Rhode) is a 1946 detective novel about a series of mysterious deaths in an English village, revolving around two secretaries to the same woman at a manor house, with Inspector Arnold and sleuth Desmond Merrion  uncovering a cleverly poisoned plot after the local police rule the first death accidental and the second suspicious. The story features typical Burton elements like rural settings, red herrings, and wry humor, focusing on a unique poison and a well-hidden culprit. 

''The Devereux Court Mystery'' by Miles Burton (John Rhode) is a Golden Age detective novel where amateur sleuth Desmond Merrion helps Scotland Yard's Inspector Arnold solve a complex case involving a gang, a river setting, and seemingly unrelated crimes that turn out to be connected to a clever criminal plot and an unfolding romance, highlighting intricate plotting and detailed landscape descriptions typical of the era. The plot involves a complex, seemingly impossible murder investigation that appears to be part of a larger, gang-led criminal scheme.

When Death pays a call he generally leaves a card behind... even if it sometimes takes a pathologist to find it. But on the morning that he visited the bathroom at Forstal Farm, he did it incognito. It took a man with a crowbar to break down the bathroom door, and there on the floor was Basil Maplewood, naked, with one foot still hanging over the edge of the bath. Basil was only twenty-one, and in the very pink of health, but the post-mortem didn't help much... no violence, no sign of poison. Here is a mystery in a thousand, and one that almost - but not quite - threw dust in the eyes of Inspector Arnold and his colleagues.

Mr. Gantley, owner of the "Downhamshire Courier", is found dead in his car one Monday morning not far from his native town of Carnford. He had been shot through the head. Lady Gantley, Gantley's sister-in-law, had died suddenly from a heart attack on the Saturday evening, and from her will it appeared that in the event of her death preceding that of Gantley her fortune shall go to her niece and nephew, Charles and Myrtle Harrington. If Gantley died first then her fortune should go to her companion, Sylvia Chadwick, and her brother Percy. Both Inspector Driffield, who is a local man, and Inspector Arnold of Scotland Yard are baffled by the crime. A lucky meeting with Desmond Merrion brings that skilled investigator into the case, to which he eventually succeeds in supplying a brilliant and surprising solution.

Desmond Merrion and Inspector Arnold investigate the disappearance of the newly appointed vicar of the fictitious coastal community of Clynde. The Reverend Jonathon Denby is well connected, the son of a baronet and with a cousin who is a government minister, so Arnold finds himself under pressure to solve the case swiftly. But when a body is discovered floating in the sea nearby the two detectives find themselves investigating a murder.

How can an elderly lady, discovered lying dead in a hammock by her great-niece and companion, be sitting up and calmly giving an interview with reporters only minutes later? That is the perplexing question that comes to the ears of debonair sleuth Desmond Merrion in this mystery from the prolific pen of Major John Street, writing under his Miles Burton pseudonym. Merrion is on the scene with alacrity, investigating the old woman's history, including the estranged nature of her relationships with her surviving family. Soon his inquiries lead him to unearth not one but two dead bodies in a secluded boat house - one of which has been there a matter of days but the other has been reduced to a skeleton.

Two locums are killed while a doctor is away on military service. It seems the doctor's family must be responsible, but Merrion has other ideas.

Bradford's first instinct was to blow a resounding blast on his whistle, hoping that one or more of his colleagues on adjoining beats would hear it. Then he pounded up Swanton Street until he reached the source of the clamour, which came from the area of Number Fifteen. He knew the house well, for it was occupied by one Spotty Jim, who had for some time been under police observation.

When a party of schoolboys assemble for a moth watching party, the occasion turns out to be fatal not only to the moths. What is the explanation of the ruthless and deliberate killing of a normal, cheerful schoolboy whom everyone liked? Inspector Ferriby realises that in this unusual puzzle he will need the help of Scotland Yard, and he is additionally pleased when Desmond Merrion turns up to assist in the investigation. Before long the police find themselves with a further mystery on their hands, when the body of a woman is found floating in the river. All the clues in the possession of the police only seem to deepen the mystery. The investigation is about to be abandoned when a third death, more dramatic and startling even than the others, opens the way to a surprising solution.No writer can weave a mystery more neatly than Miles Burton, and only a reader with an unusually keen eye for the hidden clues will succeed in unravelling this one before the author is ready with the exciting revelations that fit everything into its appropriate place. Mr. Burton's ingenuity is as subtle and satisfying as ever.

The old ferryman had caught many strange fish in his time, but none so strange as the body he fished out of the harbour one summer evening as the tide was on the turn. To his horror he saw at once that it was Captain Stanlake, the local harbour master. In the few months that Captain Stanlake had been harbour master at Brenthithe he had made himself a confounded nuisance to everyone. That was perhaps not his fault, but was mainly due to his keen desire to make Brenthithe an industrial port rather than a seaside resort. He had made many enemies in this local feud, but would anyone go as far as murder-for foul play it certainly was. ''Death at Low Tide'' is an enthralling mystery with an attractive setting and an absorbing plot.

A distinctive smell of smoke presages a series of murders in the village of Lamsford, and it proves a puzzling case for Inspector Arnold and Desmond Merrion.

The novel centers on the residents of a single street of a small English town; mistrust and suspicion grow when a series of strange warnings are received by the residents. The messages of death escalate into a number of dangerous pranks, and Desmond Merrion, friend of one of the victims, is asked to investigate. Following the deaths of a couple in one of the street's houses, Merrion's long-time associate, Inspector Arnold of Scotland Yard is also called in to solve the mystery and catch the killer.

Two old ladies, Miss Price and Miss Marsland, lived together in the Lodge Cottage. Old Miss Price's death looked like a tragic accident: she must have slipped and fallen in the icy yard of the cottage when, wearing a duffle coat against the cold, she went to fetch a bucket of coal. But it transpired that Miss Price had been murdered. Indeed, the cottage was empty, for Miss Marsland too had mysteriously disappeared, though in her case no body was found. Desmond Merrion and Inspector Arnold soon find themselves involved in a case of great complexity. There are more murders and some strange discoveries, inexplicable and macabre. Merrion slowly moves towards a solution, impeded and baffled, as we believe the reader will be too, by the prevalent fashion for wearing duffle coats. Miles Burton has excelled himself in this most ingenious and exciting detective story.

After the corpse of George Hawken had been found on the rocks near his Cornish home the coroner's jury brought in an open verdict. Hawken had been a respected but financially unsuccessful artist whose death benefited no one except one of his nephews, who inherited a modest cottage. Yet that nephew had mysteriously disappeared. There was no doubt about the death of Hawken's brother, Sir Matthew, which followed not long afterwards: five grains of potassium cyanide had killed him instantly. Inspector Arnold and his friend Desmond Merrion were faced with a paradox: those who had had an opportunity to commit both crimes had no motive; no one with a motive had had the opportunity. Once more Miles Burton has succeeded in posing an intriguing problem whose solution will keep his readers guessing until Arnold finally arrests a triple murderer.

This book finds series sleuth Desmond Merrion holidaying with wife Mavis at the seaside resort of Greycliffe-on-Sea, close to the site of his former junior school. When he and a local fisherman find the body of Arthur Harpole - brother of one of the schoolmasters - floating in the harbour, he is drawn into the inquiry into his murder.

DESMOND MERRION and his wife Mavis go to the little seaside town of Croylehaven to spend a holiday. The place is practically owned by the wealthy Croyle family, who live in the large, ugly Castle Croyle. The present head of the family, Lord Croyle, an old gentleman of eighty, generally known as Lucifer, is surrounded by a large number of more or less expectant heirs.

The fishing port of Carmouth was a health resort on the South West Coast, but for two of the inhabitants, at least, it was to prove the opposite of healthy.

The story centers on the residents of Forest House, a private nursing-convalescent home. An apparent drug overdose is later determined to be a case of murder, and another resident is discovered along a nearby railroad track with her skull bashed-in. Inspector Arnold and Desmond Merrion investigate a faint trail of clues as they search for the killer.

The Classic Collection of Miles Burton: Desmond Merrion Novels is an illustrated selection of classic Golden Age detective fiction featuring the methodical and intelligent amateur detective Desmond Merrion. This volume brings together three carefully constructed mysteries: Death Leaves No Card, The Chinese Puzzle, and The Hardway Diamonds Mystery, each presenting a self-contained puzzle built on logic, observation, and subtle misdirection. Across these stories, seemingly straightforward cases quickly evolve into intricate investigations involving hidden motives, misleading evidence, and unexpected connections. Desmond Merrion, known for his calm reasoning and analytical approach, methodically examines each detail until the underlying structure of the crime is revealed. His partnership with Inspector Arnold adds further depth to the investigations, combining intuitive police work with precise deductive reasoning. Miles Burton's writing is marked by clarity, restraint, and a strong commitment to fair-play detection, allowing readers to follow the clues and attempt to solve the mystery alongside the detective. The emphasis is always on logic rather than sensationalism, making each resolution both surprising and satisfying. Engaging, intelligent, and classically structured, this collection is a fine representation of traditional British detective fiction and a rewarding read for fans of carefully crafted mysteries. Contents: Death Leaves No Card The Chinese Puzzle The Hardway Diamonds Mystery

Death Leaves No Card by Miles Burton is a finely crafted entry in the Desmond Merrion series, exemplifying the intellectual elegance and intricate plotting of Golden Age detective fiction. When a seemingly ordinary situation turns abruptly into a case of unexplained death, the absence of clear evidence creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and suspicion. With no obvious clues and motives concealed beneath layers of deception, the investigation quickly evolves into a complex puzzle where every detail must be carefully examined. Desmond Merrion, known for his calm reasoning and analytical precision, approaches the case with methodical determination. As he reconstructs the sequence of events, he uncovers subtle inconsistencies and hidden connections that gradually reveal the truth. Each discovery deepens the mystery, leading to a resolution that is both surprising and logically sound. Burton's restrained and precise narrative style enhances the tension, allowing the puzzle to unfold naturally while keeping the reader engaged. Death Leaves No Card offers a classic blend of suspense, logic, and fair-play detection, making it a compelling and satisfying mystery for admirers of traditional British crime fiction.

The Hardway Diamonds Mystery by Miles Burton is a classic example of Golden Age detective fiction, combining intricate plotting with a carefully constructed puzzle that challenges both detective and reader alike. When a valuable cache of diamonds becomes the center of a mysterious and suspicious affair, what initially appears to be a straightforward case soon reveals unexpected complexities. Conflicting accounts, hidden motives, and a web of deception complicate the investigation, suggesting that the truth lies far beneath the surface. Detective Desmond Merrion, known for his methodical approach and analytical mind, takes on the case. Through patient reasoning and close attention to detail, he begins to unravel the inconsistencies and uncover the connections that others have overlooked. As the investigation progresses, each clue brings new questions, leading to a solution that is both surprising and logically satisfying. Burton's clear and precise style, combined with his skill in constructing fair-play mysteries, ensures a compelling reading experience. The Hardway Diamonds Mystery delivers all the hallmarks of classic British detective fiction-suspense, intellectual challenge, and a carefully crafted resolution-making it an engaging and rewarding mystery for lovers of the genre.

Inspector Arnold and Desmond Merrion have tackled many curious and difficult cases in their time but never one which led them on a longer and more puzzling trail than the death of Donald Carswell. It began when a sudden summer flood swept down on Brensford and marooned visitors and inhabitants alike in the attics and top floors of their houses. Before the waters had gone down a killer had struck. It was the odd behavior of many of the suspects which first began to puzzle the man from the Yard and his friend. Each theory they tested seemed to point to a criminal activity-but none of them seemed to point to a murderer. Arnold's steady determination and Merrion's fertile imagination make the two a formidable team. But in ''Death Takes a Detour'' they need to use all their ingenuity and resources to untangle an absorbing and complex case of the sort for which Miles Burton is famous.

A village steeped in black magic, an aristocratic vicar and his wayward wife (whose corpse turns up on the family tomb), and a neat tying-in of local legend.

The book starts with the gruesome discovery of the dismembered body of an unidentified man in a milk churn outside the premises of a suitably surly farmer. He denies all knowledge of the headless corpse or the churn and Arnold and Merrion set off on the trail, which leads them all over the country. Obviously, the first question to arise is one of identity and in this our detectives are aided by various clues left with the body. Merrion quickly deduces that some have been left by the murderer in order to set the police on the wrong track while others appear to have been planted by someone trying to help the police apprehend the culprit. More hints follow, and despite some false trails, various red herrings and another brutal murder the villain is run to earth in an exciting finale.

First published by the Mystery League Inc., New York, 1930. On a night of fog Pussy Herridge stole the Hardway diamonds-and on the same night they were re-stolen. It was a grim trail that Dick Penhampton followed which led him to discover one of them on a dead man in the marshes. Who was the Funny Toff, the terror alike of police and criminals, the unknown man with such amazing resource and ingenuity, a devilish perverted sense of humour and a lunatic laugh that few heard twice? Death was the answer meted out to all who tried to solve the riddle-to all except Penhampton. Why was he spared so often by his unknown adversary in that ghastly game of cat-and-mouse played out in the dark? Was Inspector Pollard entirely deluded when he turned his attention to trailing the trailer? Or was Alison Weatherleigh's faith in her lover justified? In The Hardway Diamonds Mystery we get a story packed with legitimate thrills quick-moving and logical, which proves yet again that ultimately the criminal cannot win against the law.