Leopold in these 24 stories is the head of homicide, later to become the department of violent crimes. Because he is given to interior musing, we learn the workings of the mind of a thoughtful detective. Showing Leopold’s mind, Hoch develops nuances of character rare in mystery stories. “The House by the Ferris” poses a typical Hoch problem. Ancient crone Stella Gaze predicts that four men will die—by earth, air, fire, and water. Leopold is called in when one man drowns, is called again when another burns. The crimes seem to have been concocted by a witch.
Author
Edward D. Hoch is one of the most honored mystery writers of all time. * 1968 Edgar Allan Poe Award (Mystery Writers of America): "The Oblong Room", The Saint Mystery Magazine, July 1967 * 1998 Anthony Award (Bouchercon World Mystery Convention): "One Bag of Coconuts", EQMM, November 1997 * 2001 Anthony Award (Bouchercon): "The Problem of the Potting Shed", EQMM, July 2000 * 2007 Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award (awarded 2008): "The Theft of the Ostracized Ostrich", EQMM, June 2007 * Lifetime Achievement Award (Private Eye Writers of America), 2000 * Grand Master (Mystery Writers of America), 2001 * Lifetime Achievement Award (Bouchercon), 2001
