Crook O'Lune is a 1953 detective novel by E. C. R. Lorac, the pen name of the British writer Edith Caroline Rivett.[1][2] It is the thirty eighth in her long-running series featuring Chief Inspector MacDonald of Scotland Yard, one of the more orthodox detectives of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.[3] It was published in the United States by Doubleday under the alternative title of Shepherd's Crook.

Crook O'Lune
First edition
AuthorE.C.R. Lorac
LanguageEnglish
SeriesChief Inspector MacDonald
GenreDetective
PublisherCollins Crime Club
Doubleday (US)
Publication date
1953
Publication placeUnited Kingdom
Media typePrint
Preceded byMurder in the Mill-Race 
Followed byShroud of Darkness 

As with several of Lorac's work including Fell Murder and Still Waters, the novel takes place in the Lancashire fell country around Lunesdale where she spent much of her time. The title refers to the Crook o' Lune.

Synopsis

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While visiting friends in Lancashire, and looking for a property to settle down in when he retires from Scotland Yard, MacDonald agrees to lend his assistance to investigate some sheep-stealing. Before long he is drawn into a case involving arson, blackmail and attempted murder.

References

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  1. ^ Nichols & Thompson p.476
  2. ^ Hubin p.254
  3. ^ Reilly p.260

Bibliography

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  • Cooper, John & Pike, B.A. Artists in Crime: An Illustrated Survey of Crime Fiction First Edition Dustwrappers, 1920-1970. Scolar Press, 1995.
  • Hubin, Allen J. Crime Fiction, 1749-1980: A Comprehensive Bibliography. Garland Publishing, 1984.
  • Nichols, Victoria & Thompson, Susan. Silk Stalkings: More Women Write of Murder. Scarecrow Press, 1998.
  • Reilly, John M. Twentieth Century Crime & Mystery Writers. Springer, 2015.