Neglected Author: Helen Reilly

HELEN REILLY
At a time when many women mystery writers were still writing in the “Had-I-but-Known” school, Helen Reilly (1891-1962) began to write realistic police procedurals before Ed McBain ever saw the inside of a precinct house. Her series character Christopher McKee, is a member of the New York Police Department who has, by the mid-1940s, worked his way up to be the Chief of the Homicide Squad. He absolutely hates murderers and blackmailers and is relentless in his pursuit of them. All the following books feature McKee, were published in New York and are first editions, unless noted. Note: DCC=Doubleday Crime Club.
The Thirty-First Bullfinch, DCC, 1930. (pre-McKee). Neat library stamps on endpapers, no other marks. Front flap excised and pasted inside front cover. Very good. $20.00
Another copy. DCC. Later printing. Very good plus. $15.00
Murder in the Mews, DCC, 1931. About fine. The second McKee. $25.00
McKee of Centre Street, DCC, 1933. Very good. $15.00
The Lineup, Sun Dial, 1942 (first published in 1934). Reprint. Fine in near fine dust jacket. $20.00
Mr. Smith’s Hat, DCC,1936. Good reading copy. $10.00
Murder in Shinbone Alley, DCC, 1940. Name, some rubbing to spine, else very good in near fine dust jacket. $75.00
Another copy. DCC, 1940. Corner cut off front endpaper, else very good in chipped dust jacket. $45.00
Death Demands an Audience, DCC, 1940. Fine in price-clipped dust jacket with minor wear at spine ends. Scarce in such collector’s condition. $200.00
Another copy. Library stamps, else very good in glued down dust jacket. $10.00
Another copy. About fine. $17.50
Murder on Angler’s Island, Random House, 1945. Bookplate, else near fine in dust jacket. $25.00
The Silver Leopard, Random House, 1946. Very good in chipped dust jacket. $15.00
The Farmhouse, Random House, 1947. Front endpaper scuffed, else fine in very good, nicked and lightly chipped dust jacket. $20.00
Tell Her It’s Murder, Random House, 1954. Fine in dust jacket. $20.00
The Canvas Dagger, Random House, 1956. Near fine in dust jacket. $25.00
Ding Dong Bell, Random House, 1958. Gift inscription, else very good in dust jacket. $20.00
Another copy. Fine in near fine dust jacket. $25.00
Not Me, Inspector, Random House, 1959. Book store stamp, else about fine in soiled dust jacket. $20.00
Follow Me, Random House, 1960. Features Inspector Todhunter in Santa Fe. Fine in slightly rubbed dust jacket with one closed tear. $20.00
Certain Sleep, Random House, 1961. Name, else about fine in near fine dust jacket.
The Day She Died, Random House, 1962. Near fine in chipped dust jacket. $17.50