Neglected Author: Margaret Scherf

MARGARET SCHERF


Margaret Scherf’s detective stories gently combine murder with humor, notably in the series about the slow-moving clergyman Martin Buell, set in Montana; Henry and Emily Bryce, the husband and wife team of Manhattan furniture painters; and the retired pathologist Dr. Grace Severance, whose cases are mainly set in the American Southwest. For fans of Charlotte MacLeod, Mr. & Mrs. North, and Elizabeth Peters. All books listed below are first editions published in New York by the Doubleday Crime Club, unless otherwise noted.

The Case of the Kippered Corpse, N.Y., Putnam, 1941. First edition. Tape inside front cover, else a very good, fresh copy. $35.00

Another copy. N.Y., Books, Inc., 1946. Very good in dust jacket. $15.00

They Came to Kill, N.Y., Putnam, 1942. First edition. Dust jacket glued down, else good-very good. Uncommon title. $25.00

The Owl in the Cellar, 1945. One small faded spot at top of spine, else about fine in dust jacket. $45.00

Another copy. Pencilling on front endpaper, else fine in a very good dust jacket. $35.00

Murder Makes Me Nervous, 1948. Very good without dust jacket. $10.00

The Gun In Daniel Webster’s Bust, 1949. (Bryce) Fine in slightly chipped dust jacket. $45.00

The Curious Custard Pie, 1950. (Buell) Very good in glued down dust jacket. $20.00

The Elk and the Evidence, 1952. (Buell) Fine in dust jacket. $45.00

Another copy. Black residue of old-fashioned protector on edges, else fine in dust jacket. $35.00

Another copy. Ex-library in cut-down dust jacket. $15.00

Glass on the Stairs, 1954. (Bryce) Good only ex-library copy. $15.00

The Cautious Overshoes, 1956. (Buell) Very good in dust jacket. $20.00

Judicial Body, 1957. Fine in near fine dust jacket. $20.00

Another copy. Neat stamp, else fine in near fine dust jacket. $17.50

Another copy. Ex-library. $10.00

Never Turn Your Back, 1959. (Buell) Very good in dust jacket. $20.00

The Diplomat and the Gold Piano, 1963. (Bryce) Fine in dust jacket. $20.00

Another copy. Endpapers replaced, else fine in dust jacket. $12.50

The Corpse in the Flannel Nightgown, 1965. Fine in dust jacket. $20.00

Another copy. Cover stained, ink marks on front endpaper, else very good in price-clipped dust jacket. $10.00

The Baker’s Bones, 1968. Fine in dust jacket. $20.00

Another copy. Ex-library. $10.00

The Beautiful Birthday Cake, 1971. (Severance) Fine in about fine dust jacket. $20.00

Another copy. Ex-library. $10.00

To Cache a Millionaire, 1972. (Severance) Glue spot on front endpaper, else fine in price-clipped dust jacket. $20.00

If You Want a Murder Well Done, 1974. Fine in dust jacket. $20.00

Another copy. Ex-library. $10.00

Don’t Wake Me Up While I’m Driving, 1977. Fine in a fine dust jacket. $25.00

Another copy. Remainder spray, else fine in very good dust jacket. $15.00

Another copy. London, Hale, 1977. First U.K. edition. Very good in dust jacket. $12.50

The Beaded Banana, 1978. (Severance) Very fine in dust jacket with a tiny nick. $20.00

Another copy. Remainder spray on bottom edge, else fine in near fine dust jacket. $15.00