Dornford Yates Books In Order

Berry and Co

This collection of short stories featuring ‘Berry’ Pleydell and his chaotic entourage established Dornford Yates’ reputation as one of the best comic writers in a generation, and made him hugely popular. The German caricatures in the book carried such a sting that when France was invaded in 1939 Yates, who was living near the Pyren es, was put on the wanted list and had to flee.

Jonah and Co

Dornford Yates was the pseudonym of the British novelist Cecil William Mercer 1885 1960. His novels and short stories, some humourous and some thrillers were best sellers in the period between the two World Wars. Mercer was called to the bar in 1909 and worked there for several years. After the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, he joined the County of London Yeomanry and was commissioned Second Lieutenant. Yates originally wrote short stories for the monthly magazines, and many of his works began as stories in the Windsor Magazine before being collected together in book form. However, his first known published work, Temporary Insanity, appeared in Punch in May 1910, and his second, Like a Tale that is Told appeared in the Red Magazine in July 1910. Amongst his other works are The Brother of Daphne 1914, The Courts of Idleness 1920, Berry and Co. 1921, The Stolen March 1926 and Blind Corner 1927.

Adele and Co

This is the first full length novel featuring Yates’ finest comic creation, Bertram ‘Berry’ Pleydell. The popular character of Ad le is based on the author’s first wife, Bettine, a highly gregarious American dancer and actress. Written in response to massive public demand for the Berry stories, this is regarded as one of Yates’ best books. Amongst the madcap escapades of the Pleydell clan as they career about the French countryside you will find ‘crime, criminals, and some of the funniest writing in the English language’.

And Berry Came Too

Eight stories in which we find ‘the hair raising adventures and idiotic situations of the Pleydell family’ Punch. Along with John Buchan and ‘Sapper’, Yates dominated the adventure book market of the inter war years, and Berry is regarded as one of British comic writing’s finest creations, counting Tom Sharpe amongst his fans. Read these and weep with laughter.

The House That Berry Built

These are some of Yates early short stories featuring the comic Pleydell clan, and on publication proved just a successful and popular as Berry and Co had been. They describe the chaotic journey of the young, well to do heroes as they cavort across France, and helped to establish Yates reputation as a master of humorous fiction

The Berry Scene

These stories, written by huge popular demand, give us classic Berry Pleydell Yates’ finest comic character at the top of his form. The first story sees Berry capturing a German spy at a village cricket match in 1914, and things get more bizarre from there on in. A self consciously nostalgic work harking back to more decorous days, here you will find tense plots and high farce of the best kind.

As Berry and I were Saying

Reprinted four times in three months, this quasi autobiographical novel is a comic rendition of the author’s hazardous experiences in France at the end of the World War II. Darker and less frivolous than some of Yates’ earlier books, he described it as ‘really my own memoir put into the mouths of Berry and Boy’, and at the time of publication it already had a nostalgic, period feel. A hit with the public and a ‘scrapbook of the Edwardian age as it was seen by the upper middle clas*ses’.

B-Berry and I Look Back

This is Yates’ final book, a semi autobiographical novel spanning a lifetime of events from the sinking of the Titanic to the notorious Tichborne murder case. It opens with Berry, one of British comic writing’s finest creations, at his funniest, and is a companion volume to As Berry and I Were Saying. Pure, vintageYates.

Blind Corner

This is Yates first thriller: a tautly plotted page turner featuring the tense, crime busting adventures of suave Richard Chandos. Chandos is sent down from Oxford for beating up some Communists , and on return from vacation in Biarritz witnesses a murder. Teaming up at his London club with friend Jonathan Mansel, a stratagem is devised to catch the killer. The book has equally compelling sequels, Blood Royal, An Eye For a Tooth, Fire Below and Perishable Goods.

Perishable Goods

Classic Yates, this novel featuring the suave Richard Chandos was reprinted three times within the first month of publication, was warmly received by the critics and served hugely to expand the author’s already large readership. Typically deft, pacey and amusing, it ‘contains every crime in the calendar and a heart rending finale’ A J Smithers. A companion novel to Blind Corner, Blood Royal, An Eye For A Tooth and Fire Below. Gripping stuff.

Blood Royal

Richard Chandos returns to a starring role in this fine thriller, which can be read alone or as part of a series with Blind Corner, An Eye For a Tooth, Fire Below and Perishable Goods. At his chivalrous, rakish best in a story of mistaken identity, kidnapping, and romance of the old kind, he takes us on a romp through Europe in the company of a host of unforgettable characters

Fire Below

Richard Chandos makes a welcome return in this classic adventure story. Suave and decadent, he leads his friends into forbidden territory to rescue a kidnapped young widow. Yates gives us a highly dramatic plot, reminiscent of grand opera, and unforgettably vivid characters.

A tale in the traditional mould and a companion novel to Blind Corner, Blood Royal Perishable Goods and An Eye For A Tooth.

She Fell Among Thieves

A vintage thriller featuring the welcome return of Richard Chandos, dashing hero extraordinaire, who seeks to rescue a young girl who has been kidnapped and drugged by a sinister old woman in the mountains of the Pyren es. A gripping read originally published in serial form, She Fell Among Thieves was a huge hit when it first appeared.

An Eye for a Tooth

A classic Richard Chandos thriller, which can be read alone or as part of a series including Blind Corner, Blood Royal, Fire Below and Perishable Goods. On the way home from Germany after having captured Axel the Red’s treasure, dapper Jonathan Mansel happens upon a corpse in the road, that of an Englishman. There ensues a gripping tale of adventure and vengeance of a rather gentlemanly kind. On publication this novel was such a hit that it was reprinted six times in its first year, and assured Yates huge popularity.

Red in the Morning

Set in France after the war amongst the beautiful landscapes of Biarritz, Pau and the Pyren es, Yates favourite thriller hero Richard Chandos returns with Jonathan Mansel in a story of temptation, subterfuge, adventure and revenge. Regarded by many as Yates at the top of his form

Cost Price

A story, from Dornford Yates later career, of stolen treasure set against a backdrop of World War II, with adventure, a travelling circus and much more besides. Lots of favourite Yates characters are here, as well as some new ones like the Portuguese mule in trousers and a few striking villains. This is the legendary Chandos final fictional appearance. A tense, assured plot and vintage comedy from a master of the genre.

Anthony Lyveden

Dornford Yates was the pseudonym of the British novelist Cecil William Mercer 1885 1960. His novels and short stories, some humourous and some thrillers were best sellers in the period between the two World Wars. Mercer was called to the bar in 1909 and worked there for several years. After the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, he joined the County of London Yeomanry and was commissioned Second Lieutenant. Yates originally wrote short stories for the monthly magazines, and many of his works began as stories in the Windsor Magazine before being collected together in book form. However, his first known published work, Temporary Insanity, appeared in Punch in May 1910, and his second, Like a Tale that is Told appeared in the Red Magazine in July 1910. Amongst his other works are The Brother of Daphne 1914, The Courts of Idleness 1920, Berry and Co. 1921, The Stolen March 1926 and Blind Corner 1927.

She Painted Her Face

A tautly written and exciting yarn published when Yates was at the height of his powers, this is a real pot boiler of the very best kind tension, cliffhangers, wit and pace. Both a thriller and a humorous romance, the book draws heavily on the author’s own somewhat bitter experiences. It gives an insight into Yates rather scabrous views and is also a great read.

Gale Warning

Jonathan Mansel, one of Dornford Yates’ most popular characters, heads a small private organisation dedicated to the detection of serious crime ‘by methods sadly unavailable to the regular police’. An aristocratic member of his team is murdered and the avengers set out in pursuit of the killer, in a tale of ‘violence and a measure of sublimated sex’. Caricatured villains, a page turning plot and some good jokes in short, classic Yates.

Ne’er-Do-Well

This is Dornford Yates only straight detective novel it is an uncommon murder story set in a convent, and reveals all Yates supreme talent for tension, strong characters and a page turning plot. For traditional tale telling at its finest, look no further.

The Brother of Daphne

The Brother of Daphne is a book written by Dornford Yates. It is widely considered to be one of the top 100 greatest books of all time. This great novel will surely attract a whole new generation of readers. For many, The Brother of Daphne is required reading for various courses and curriculums. And for others who simply enjoy reading timeless pieces of classic literature, this gem by Dornford Yates is highly recommended. Published by Quill Pen Classics and beautifully produced, The Brother of Daphne would make an ideal gift and it should be a part of everyone’s personal library.

The Courts of Idleness

These comic stories are set during World War I and the period just after, when the genteel world of Edwardian England had changed beyond recognition. One of Yates’ earliest books, it harks back to that more decorous, decadent time, and we encounter the madcap adventures of a group of well to do young people as they career across Europe from Madeira to Macedonia fighting heinous villains and solving mysteries.