Norman Deane [John Creasey] — Play for Murder

London, Hurst & Blackett, 1946 . First edition. Cloth. The first edition of this atmospheric Soho-set murder mystery by John Creasey, writing as Norman Deane, complete with the original dust wrapper. In the publisher's original cloth binding.  First edition.  Complete with the original price-clipped dust wrapper.  A thrilling post-war crime novel in which Jim Kendall, a quiet country gentleman, receives a disturbing letter from an old friend in London, drawing him into the dangerous world of Soho's theatre district.  John Creasey (1908-1973) was a prolific British crime novelist who published hundreds of novels under numerous pseudonyms. Writing as Norman Deane, he produced a series of crime and espionage thrillers, including the Bruce Murdoch adventures. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, lovely. Light shelf wear to extremities. One or two very light marks to boards. Dust wrapper, smart. Clipped. Slight soiling and age toning, heavier to perimeters and more apparent to pale panel to rear. One or two marks. Edge wear to extremities resulting in the odd crease, closed tear, and chip. 1.5" closed tear from upper extremities of rear flap. Slight loss to head of spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean with one or two spots to edge. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Very Good Indeed.