[Detective fiction] FIRST EDITION, first impression. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.302 [2]. With sixteen illustrations by the author. Publisher's black cloth with red titles to spine and upper, and a sketch-map to front endpapers. With the orange dust-jacket designed by the author, not priced, and the rare promotional wrap-around band showing a three-line endorsement by Agatha Christie. Blue ink ownership to title page. Contents and edges clean. binding is fresh, jacket shows some light wear to edges, soft fold to belly band at spine. Very good indeed. The true first, preceding the Michael Joseph edition by six years. Desirable with the elusive Agatha Chrsitie sash.