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A Killing in Antiques

by Bill Knox

While still alive, Bill Knox wrote a number of interesting crime novels featuring Detective Superintendent Colin Thane of the Scottish Crime Squad, of which A Killing In Antiques is one. A small book by some standards (it's only 183 pages long) A Killing in Antiques is still a fine example of Bill Knox's carefully constructed work, and a compelling story to boot. In spite of the Bruce Schluter illustration on the jacket, which corresponds more to the title than the actual content of the novel, I was drawn to this book simply because I love and appreciate antiques. Especially English furniture, which can date back hundreds of years in comparison to our Early American, comprising no more than a couple of hundred at most. Bill Knox was a well-known Scotsman, writing for TV as well as crime novels based on fishing, and his prose is always a good read for any mystery fan.

A Killing in Antiques opens with housekeeper Annie Campbell of Drum Lodge being subdued by 'policemen' in stocking masks who steal most of her employer's fine old antiques. Fergie Mackenzie is the owner of Drum Lodge. Mr. Mackenzie is also known as Bloody Mac, and is a judge who delights in passing harsh sentences on anyone who comes before his bench in the High Court of Judiciary. Since Bloody Mac is an influential individual, the case is quickly brought to the Scottish Crime Squad and Detective Superintendent Colin Thane is assigned to it.

It's soon realized that the Drum Lodge burglary was only one of a series of competent, professional thefts. A woman calling herself Helen Morton, driver of a Volkswagon van full of old furniture was involved in a minor accident resulting in a burst tire on the van – and had been changing the tire when the police questioned her. She claimed to be taking the furniture south to an elderly relative. Too late, it's discovered the van probably contained the stolen antiques from Drum Lodge.

Anna Marshton was a bag snatcher – and one of the items found by the police in her apartment was Helen Morton's checkbook. But when Colin Thane goes to visit her, she's not at home – she's been murdered, and her body is found half crushed in a garbage compactor.

Malky Darvel makes coffins. He also restores, repairs and reproduces antiques on the side. In addition, Malky Darvel becomes another victim of brutal murder after talking to Thane.

Auntie Rose is a junkshop dealer and a fence. After some intimidation, she reveals that she knows a new Dutch team is in operation, and how they fence their stolen antiques through various European dealers. She also claims they've never used her.

All of the above people are tied in some way to the 'Flying Dutchmen' who are the professional thieves. It's then discovered that a huge antiques fair, sponsored by the Ransom Trust, will undoubtedly be the next burglary target. But what Thane and his helpers didn't realize was that the hijackers would steal the antiques as they were collected – and the resultant theft would amount to over two million dollars.

The murderer and accomplice in the antiques heists are eventually caught, of course – even though the person behind everything commits suicide before he can be arrested. Bill Knox is adept at his craft, and unmasking the individual behind all the criminal activities gives us the usual surprise. A Killing in Antiques is a fine story, and easily as pleasurable a read as all the rest of Bill Knox' work. The publication dates of his novels may seem as ancient to some as the books of Agatha Christie, but along with her, you can still find them in most libraries!

Alan Paul Curtis

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