Phoebe Atwood Taylor (1909–1976)
Author of The Cape Cod Mystery
About the Author
Phoebe Atwood Taylor (1909-1976) was an American mystery author who wrote mystery novels under her own name, and as Freeman Dana and Alice Tilton. Her first novel, The Cape Cod Mystery, introduced the "Codfish Sherlock", Asey Mayo, who became a series character appearing in 24 novels. (Bowker show more Author Biography) show less
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Series
Works by Phoebe Atwood Taylor
Associated Works
American Murders: 11 Rediscovered Short Novels from the American Magazine, 1934-1954 (1986) — Contributor — 3 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Other names
- Dana, Freeman
Tilton, Alice - Birthdate
- 1909-05-18
- Date of death
- 1976-01-09
- Gender
- female
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Place of death
- Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Places of residence
- Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Wellfleet, Massachusetts, USA - Education
- Barnard College
- Occupations
- mystery writer
detective novelist - Short biography
- Phoebe Atwood Taylor was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Her parents were natives of Cape Cod and descended from Pilgrims. She graduated from Barnard College in New York City in 1930, and returned to Boston. She married a surgeon also named Taylor and lived in the Boston suburbs of Newton Highlands and Weston. The couple also had a summer home in Wellfleet on Cape Cod. Boston and Cape Cod served as the locales for many of her mystery novels. She published under her own name as well as under the pen names Freeman Dana and Alice Tilton. Her first novel, The Cape Cod Mystery (1931), introduced Asey Mayo, the "Codfish Sherlock," a handyman and amateur sleuth who appeared in 24 novels. These novels were full of humor and the local culture of Cape Cod in the 1930s and 1940s. Another series featured Leonidas Witherall, a teacher, and author of detective novels.
Members
Reviews
The Cape Cod mystery by Phoebe Atwood Taylor
After several false starts, got into it, 1st 10-15 pages were challenging, true time capsule w/lanuage & pace, never could figure it out
Weston Mayhew needs help and cousin Asey Mayo is the person to do it. “Old Home Week” is happening and that means droves of tourists will be arriving in Billingsgate. Not something usual for this sleepy town.
Leading up to this celebratory week, there have been strange happenings — stolen keys, gun shots, fires and murder. Asey’s reputation for crime solving is the only solution.
Mayhew thinks someone is out to kill him and possibly the other two selectmen of the town. Asey is given a visitors’ badge, police badge and state police badge and the authority to back them up. Mayhew just doesn’t want the police to be involved. This seems a bit strange, but Asey reserves the right to bring the police in, if there comes a need.
Asey feel there is more below the surface that is going on and starts finding threads that do lead to more. Such as a corpse found in Hell Hollow, for a starter, that needs to be kept hushed up until after the week-long celebration. Then there is blackmail, embezzling and more! Asey really has his hands full in this case!… (more)
Leading up to this celebratory week, there have been strange happenings — stolen keys, gun shots, fires and murder. Asey’s reputation for crime solving is the only solution.
Mayhew thinks someone is out to kill him and possibly the other two selectmen of the town. Asey is given a visitors’ badge, police badge and state police badge and the authority to back them up. Mayhew just doesn’t want the police to be involved. This seems a bit strange, but Asey reserves the right to bring the police in, if there comes a need.
Asey feel there is more below the surface that is going on and starts finding threads that do lead to more. Such as a corpse found in Hell Hollow, for a starter, that needs to be kept hushed up until after the week-long celebration. Then there is blackmail, embezzling and more! Asey really has his hands full in this case!… (more)
Eve Prince, owner of the Cape Cod Tavern, has been telling everyone someone is trying to murder her. She tells of being shot at in the woods and about a trip wire at the top of the stairs. Being such a publicity hound, people find it hard to believe her. Until she is found stabbed to death.
Suspects are aplenty at the tavern. Mark Adams, nephew of Kay Adams who is called by Mark to come to the tavern. A request that paused her planned winter in Capri. Ann Bradford, Eve Prence’s step-sister and hopes-to-be wife of Mark Adams. Tony Deen, a play-write and his blind son, Noris, who writes poetry. Alex Stout, a writer of banned books and the ex-husband of Eve. Lila Talbot, children’s author and her young son Eric. All the guests had had Eve involved in their lives and not necessarily in a good way. Eve Prence was a person who had to be the center of it all.
Asey Mayo finds himself with not only too many suspects, but also some unusual weapons, a convenient suspect and some odd clues.
The characters, setting and plot lines are entertaining and not so simple. Elements that make Phoebe Atwood Taylor’s Asey Mayo series an enjoyable read.… (more)
Suspects are aplenty at the tavern. Mark Adams, nephew of Kay Adams who is called by Mark to come to the tavern. A request that paused her planned winter in Capri. Ann Bradford, Eve Prence’s step-sister and hopes-to-be wife of Mark Adams. Tony Deen, a play-write and his blind son, Noris, who writes poetry. Alex Stout, a writer of banned books and the ex-husband of Eve. Lila Talbot, children’s author and her young son Eric. All the guests had had Eve involved in their lives and not necessarily in a good way. Eve Prence was a person who had to be the center of it all.
Asey Mayo finds himself with not only too many suspects, but also some unusual weapons, a convenient suspect and some odd clues.
The characters, setting and plot lines are entertaining and not so simple. Elements that make Phoebe Atwood Taylor’s Asey Mayo series an enjoyable read.… (more)
Miles Witherall is a retired officer manager, living with his niece and her husband, Betsy and Steve Damon. They’ve bought the old Cole house in Skakat and renovated it. It still lacks phone and road access so boat is the main link. A neighbour is causing interference in getting the services. The Damons have noticed that the locals are anti-social and that there is a feeling of being watched with a feel of threat in the air.
Steve is a writer currently working on an autobiography of Rosalie Ray, the radio star. It’s not easy or enjoyable, but the money will be a big plus to their finances.
Things start happening when Miles takes a bus ride home instead of the train, from a day trip to Boston. He winds up stranded on the road when the driver claims the engine is dead and goes off to make a phone call. The driver never returns, but Miles is picked up by one of the locals.
When Miles gets home, he is greeted with the Damons being upset due to Rosalie has made an unannounced appearance with plans to spend a few days. Something Steve has no need of — a demanding diva under his roof. To make things worse, Rosalie is found dead in her bed the next morning.
Advice is given to get Asey Mayo involved before things get worse…which they do. Asey’s knowledge of the people and area and past life experiences make him the best man to be around.
Another book in the Asey Mayo series that was written in the 1930s. A fun cosy read with a cast of characters.… (more)
Steve is a writer currently working on an autobiography of Rosalie Ray, the radio star. It’s not easy or enjoyable, but the money will be a big plus to their finances.
Things start happening when Miles takes a bus ride home instead of the train, from a day trip to Boston. He winds up stranded on the road when the driver claims the engine is dead and goes off to make a phone call. The driver never returns, but Miles is picked up by one of the locals.
When Miles gets home, he is greeted with the Damons being upset due to Rosalie has made an unannounced appearance with plans to spend a few days. Something Steve has no need of — a demanding diva under his roof. To make things worse, Rosalie is found dead in her bed the next morning.
Advice is given to get Asey Mayo involved before things get worse…which they do. Asey’s knowledge of the people and area and past life experiences make him the best man to be around.
Another book in the Asey Mayo series that was written in the 1930s. A fun cosy read with a cast of characters.… (more)
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Statistics
- Works
- 34
- Also by
- 4
- Members
- 2,537
- Popularity
- #10,120
- Rating
- 4.0
- Reviews
- 60
- ISBNs
- 120
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- Favorited
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