Peter Lovesey died on April 10, 2025, at the age of 88. He was a British author who published historical and contemporary mystery novels, from 1970 to 2024. I have enjoyed many of his short stories and novels over the years. You can read more about his career in this post at the Rap Sheet, "A Decent Man and One Hell of a Writer."
I looked around for some of Peter Lovesey's short stories and I found this one, published in 1980.
"A Man With a Fortune"
Eva is returning to England on a flight out of San Francisco. She is nervous about flying and is very uncomfortable during the take off. The man in the seat next to her starts up a conversation; he is going to England for the first time to try to find out if he has any long lost cousins in the UK. He is a widower, has a bad heart, and even though he is forty two, he doesn't expect to live much longer. He also owns two vineyards and has lots of money. He plans to find where birth and death records are stored, although he realizes the search will be a difficult job because his grandfather's name is a very common one, John Smith.
When Eva gets home, she tells her roommate, Janet, about John Smith and his search for relatives. When Janet learns that John is rich she gets interested, and suggests ways that they could be helpful to him.
In the end, both of them got quite a surprise.
Per the list of Peter Lovesey's short stories at his website, this story was first published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, November 3, 1980, and was also titled "How Mr Smith Traced His Ancestors." It was adapted for an episode of Tales of the Unexpected in 1982.
I read this story in A Century of Mystery 1980-1989, an anthology edited by Marcia Muller and Bill Pronzini. I first saw this book reviewed at George Kelley's blog. I immediately found a copy for myself at ABEBOOKS, but this is the first story I have read in the book. I will be getting to more stories in the book soon, I hope.
Please check out George's review of the anthology. He includes a list of all the stories and authors included.
12 comments:
Peter Lovesey will be sorely missed, Tracy. I have to say, I really like the work of his that I've read, although I've never read his short stories. I need to do that, I think. I'm glad you focused on this.
Thanks for the shout-out! I'm glad my blog post inspired you to buy A CENTURY OF MYSTERY: 1980-1989. It's a wonderful anthology! I'm saddened by Peter Lovesey's death. So many great writers leaving us...
Margot, I want to read more of Lovesey's novels and his short stories. You should definitely try his short stories.
George, I too am glad that I purchased that anthology after reading your post. There are a lot of good authors with stories in that book, so I have some good reading ahead.
What a great cover with that jigsaw puzzle look!
So many crime writers have died recently.
Kelly, I like that cover too. I thought of you and other jigsaw puzzle lovers when I saw it. And I scanned it to make sure the puzzle pieces were clear.
I have noticed that and they will be missed. Lovesey, and Kerry Greenwood and Ken Bruen are the ones that come to mind. Also, not an author, but Robert McGinnis illustrated many paperback covers for mysteries (plus did some gorgeous movie posters). He died at 99 in March of this year.
I have never read anything by Peter Lovesey but that's a great tribute. Not only a hell of a writer but a decent man and of course any writer who appears in Ellery Queen Magazine has talent.
Kathy, Peter Lovesey wrote many different types of mystery over the decades. Something for everyone.
I hope the Man with a Fortune gives these ladies part of his fortune, Lol. I look forward to more tales you review from this collection. I'm sorry to hear of Mr. Lovesey's passing. Always sad to lose an author.
Susan, He should share his wealth. Usually I don't I don't like a lot of explication at the end of a crime story or novel, but here I could have used a bit more of it. But, all in all it was a good story and a good length.
I have been reading more of Lovesey's short stories in another collection and there is a lot of variety in his stories. Soon I will read more stories in this anthology.
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