Design For Murder

Never before published in paperback, and back in print for the first time since 1951, this long-lost novelisation reworks the nail-biting radio serial ‘Paul Temple and the Gregory Affair’ with new and original characters.

The Assistant Commissioner of Scotland Yard visits retired Detective Lionel Wyatt with the chilling news that an old adversary they never caught has struck again, strangling an innocent girl. Wyatt is reluctant to return to police work, but then another body is found – this time at his own home, with a personal message: ‘With the compliments of Mr Rossiter’.

In Design for Murder, Francis Durbridge adapted his longest Paul Temple serial, Paul Temple and the Gregory Affair, into a full-length novel. All the obligatory elements from the thrilling radio episodes were present, but in a new twist, he renamed the principal characters: Paul and Steve Temple became Lionel and Sally Wyatt, and ‘Mr Rossiter’ replaced the villainous Gregory. Reprinted for the first time in 66 years, fans of Francis Durbridge and of Paul Temple can finally relive this ingenious adventure.

Also includes an introduction by bibliographer Melvyn Barnes
plus the exclusive 1946 Radio Times short story
‘Paul Temple’s White Christmas’.

Reviews

‘Paul Temple gives thrills, suspense, and excitement for all.’ Daily Mail

‘Paul Temple commands a greater audience than any film actor or stage star. Temple’s adventures are listened to by millions of people all over the world. Temple is the modern Sherlock Holmes.’ Evening Standard

‘I enjoy every minute of Paul Temple. It’s great!’ Daily Express

‘Mr Temple, the novelist with a genius for detection, is a phenomenon . . . probably the most famous of all modern fictional characters.’ London Evening News

‘Paul Temple has broken all records. The most famous . . . most persistently popular detective.’ Radio Times

About the author

Francis Henry Durbridge was born 25th November 1912 in Hull. In addition to writing mysteries for radio and television, Durbridge also forged a successful career as a writer for the stage and wrote 43 novels. Durbridge married Norah Lawley in 1940, they had two sons. He died at his home in Barnes aged 85 in 1998.