Arson Plus

This classic tale is the first appearance of ''The Continental Op," a character who would eventually appear in over two dozen stories. It was first published in "Black Mask" in 1923.


Our unnamed private detective is stationed in San Francisco and goes out to Sacramento County to investigate an arson at the Thornburgh house on behalf of the Continental Detective Agency's client, an insurance company. The insurance policy was recent and the company wants to be sure it was legitimate before covering the claim. It turns out to be anything but straight forward!