Trent Intervenes. Illustrated

E. C. Bentley’s Trent Intervenes (1938) is a collection of short stories that brings back Philip Trent, the witty and insightful journalist-detective first introduced in Trent’s Last Case. Widely admired for his humanity and fallibility, Trent once again demonstrates his unique approach to crime-solving in tales that combine clever puzzles with sharp social observation.

Across the twelve stories in this collection, Trent encounters a wide variety of mysteries—murders, thefts, frauds, and deceptions—each marked by Bentley’s characteristic elegance of style and keen sense of irony. Unlike the infallible detectives of much Golden Age fiction, Trent often reflects on the human motives behind crimes, blending deduction with compassion and humor.

The collection highlights Bentley’s skill in compressing atmosphere, intrigue, and intellectual challenge into the short-story form. From country house murders to urban intrigues, each case captures the flavor of its time while offering readers both suspense and wit.

Praised by contemporaries such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, these stories helped solidify Bentley’s reputation as one of the most innovative and humane writers of detective fiction. Trent Intervenes is not only a delightful companion to his full-length novels but also a fascinating glimpse into the breadth of Trent’s adventures.

For lovers of classic detective fiction, this collection stands as an essential volume: elegant, ingenious, and filled with the charm of one of the genre’s most original sleuths.