Down Under (The Benbow Smith Mysteries) by Wentworth, Patricia [Paperback]

"You talk of him as if he were alive."

"He is alive," said Benbow Smith.

"And you think he would do murder?"

"I am quite sure that he would do murder, Captain Loddon."


Rose Anne disappeared on the eve of her wedding to Captain Oliver Loddon. Her fiancé received a letter posted from Paris saying she was sorry but there was someone else.


To the police it is quite simple. But Oliver can't believe Rose Anne capable of such a cruel act, and then discovers that her note carries quite another message. Benbow Smith is brought in to investigate, and we learn the young woman's disappearance is connected to an escaped and dangerous criminal - and Rose Anne isn't the only one who's recently gone missing…


Down Under was originally published in 1937, and was the fourth and last novel to feature the series character Benbow Smith. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.


"When I pick up a book by Patricia Wentworth I think, now to enjoy myself - and I always do." Mary Dell, Daily Mirror

Patricia Wentworth was born Dora Amy Elles in India in 1877 (not 1878 as has sometimes been stated). She was first educated privately in India, and later at Blackheath School for Girls. Her first husband was George Dillon, with whom she had her only child, a daughter. She also had two stepsons from her first marriage, one of whom died in the Somme during World War I.
Her first novel was published in 1910, but it wasn't until the 1920's that she embarked on her long career as a writer of mysteries. Her most famous creation was Miss Maud Silver, who appeared in 32 novels, though there were a further 33 full-length mysteries not featuring Miss Silver-the entire run of these is now reissued by Dean Street Press.
Patricia Wentworth died in 1961. She is recognized today as one of the pre-eminent exponents of the classic British golden age mystery novel.