WITHOUT LAWFUL AUTHORITY: A Tommy Hambledon Novel (Rue Morgue Vintage Mystery)

Boulder, CO, U.S.A.: Rue Morgue Press, 2008. 1st printing (originally pub in 1943). A fine, unread copy of the trade paperback. Two safecrackers lend British agent Tommy Hambledon a hand in sussing out Nazi spies and dealing with the rather odd residents of a mental hospital. After Jim Wamford is found guilty of selling secrets to the enemy and discharged from his regiment, he's very much at loose ends-that is, until he meets John Marden, a professional safe-cracker who is nonetheless a gentleman and a very pleasant one at that, despite the fact that he was trying to break into Wamford's own safe when they met. The two become fast friends and unite in a common purpose, to find the fellow officer who framed Wamford and to round up the German spies who stole his secrets. In the course oftheir activities they keep nearly crossing paths with Tommy Hambledon of British Intelligence, who's just back in England after a long sojourn in Germany. As delighted as he is with their little presents to him, he's very anxious to meet them in person, but they prove to be a most elusive pair. Set in 1938 with war with Germany just around the comer, it's the fourth book in the Tommy Hambledon series and one oft he best, with an almost perfect blend of straightforward counterespionage and farcical humor. First published in 1943.. 1st Prtg. Pictorial Wrappers. As New/No Jacket. Illus. by Pudim, Rob. Trade Paperback.