Reginald Evelyn Peter Southouse-Cheyney (22 February 1896 – 26 June 1951) was a British

crime fiction Crime fiction, detective story, murder mystery, mystery novel, and police novel are terms used to describe narratives that centre on criminal acts and especially on the investigation, either by an amateur or a professional detective, of a crime, ...

writer who flourished between 1936 and 1951. Cheyney is perhaps best known for his short stories and novels about agent/detective Lemmy Caution, which, starting in 1953, were adapted into a series of French movies, all starring

Eddie Constantine Eddie Constantine (born Edward Israël Constantinowsky; October 29, 1917 – February 25, 1993) was an American singer, actor and entertainer who spent most of his career in France. He became well-known to film audiences for his portrayal of se ...

(however, the best known of these – the 1965 science fiction film '' Alphaville'' – was not directly based on a Cheyney novel). Another popular creation was the private detective

Slim Callaghan Slim Callaghan is a fictional London-based private detective created by the writer Peter Cheyney. Like another of Cheyney's characters, the FBI agent Lemmy Caution, he was constructed as a British response to the more hardboiled detectives of Ameri ...

who also appeared in a series of novels and subsequent film adaptations. Although out of print for many years, Cheyney's novels have never been difficult to find second-hand. Several of them have recently been made available as e-books.

Early life

Peter Cheyney was born in Whitechapel 1896, the youngest of five children, and educated at the Mercers' School in the

City of London The City of London is a city, ceremonial county and local government district that contains the historic centre and constitutes, alongside Canary Wharf, the primary central business district (CBD) of London. It constituted most of London f ...

. He began to write skits for the theatre as a teenager, but this ended when the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fig ...

began. In 1915 he enlisted in the

British Army The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gur ...

as a volunteer, in 1916 was wounded on active service and published two volumes of poetry, ''Poems of Love and War'' and ''To Corona and Other Poems''. The next year, 1917, his military service ended. Starting in the late 1920s, Cheyney worked for the Metropolitan Police as a police reporter and crime investigator. Until he became successful as a crime novelist, he was often quite poor. It is said that he got his start through a bet; when Cheyney remarked that anyone could write a book in the idiom of the American thriller, he was wagered five pounds that he could not. Cheyney sold his first story as the result of this bet.

Career and characters

Cheyney wrote his first novel, the Lemmy Caution thriller '' This Man Is Dangerous'' in 1936 and followed it with the first

novel, '' The Urgent Hangman'' in 1938. The immediate success of these two novels assured him of a flourishing new career, and Cheyney abandoned his work as a freelance investigator. Sales were brisk; in 1946 alone, 1,524,785 copies of his books were sold worldwide. A meticulous researcher, he kept a massive set of files on criminal activity in London, but these were destroyed during the Blitz in 1941; he however, soon began to replace his collection of clippings. He dictated his work. Typically he would "act out" his stories for his secretary, Miss Sprauge, who would copy them down in shorthand and type them up later. The Caution books read very much like what they are: pulp stories written in ersatz American by a British writer. With the private detective Slim Callaghan however, he invented a non-American who is based in Cheyney's home territory of London. Callaghan in the first book works from Chancery Lane in a Marlowe-type shabby office and he has difficulty paying the bills. However, unlike Marlowe, Callaghan is ambitious and after a success helping a rich female client, he is able to make the step up to having his own agency, with a fancy office and pretty secretary, in swanky Berkeley Square. Subsequent novels in the series follow very much the tried and tested pattern. Callaghan's services are sought by rich and attractive female client. The Lady in question is, of course naturally involved in some upsetting business (often blackmail) that precludes going to police. Callaghan meets the lady, likes what he sees (Cheyney appears to have studied women's fashion for he never fails to describe in detail every lady's clothes and jewellery), is nonchalant and impudent, which simultaneously both upsets and attracts lady. The Lady of course is either afraid to tell all facts or is being deliberately misleading and Callaghan must work out truth for himself. Callaghan begins his investigating, in Marlowe-style, by putting himself about and stirring up trouble, which attracts the attention of a number of people (including at least one shady nightclub owner) involved in the puzzle who supply him with enough pieces to get the whole picture and to plan strategy. During these cases (usually over a period of days) Callaghan will push himself to the limit. He will get no sleep, drink continually ('three fingers of straight whisky'), and drive his Jaguar long distances (to Torquay or Weymouth to visit refined clients, and then back to London all in the same night) as part of his overall plan. At the same time, he will meet a string of attractive women who will, of course, throw themselves at him during the story--but he however only has eyes for his refined client--hand out and receive beatings, tamper with evidence, and outsmart both criminals and the police until the case is solved and his refined client is extricated from trouble and danger. Only then (to the chagrin of his secretary, who has a long-standing crush) will he reap the dual reward of favours from the refined client, accompanied by a substantial cheque. Peter Cheyney grave Putney Vale 2015

Cheyney's "Dark" series was widely praised during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

for bringing more realism to espionage fiction. In their casual brutality and general "grubbiness," the "Dark" novels seem to have foreshadowed much of the Cold War fiction of the mid to late 1960s. Anthony Boucher placed these later works in the context of

Graham Greene Henry Graham Greene (2 October 1904 – 3 April 1991) was an English writer and journalist regarded by many as one of the leading English novelists of the 20th century. Combining literary acclaim with widespread popularity, Greene acquir ...

and

Joseph Conrad Joseph Conrad (born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski, ; 3 December 1857 – 3 August 1924) was a Polish-British novelist and short story writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language; though he did not sp ...

. The characterisation of Ernest Guelvada in the "Dark" series is one of the high points of Cheyney's career. A cheerfully sadistic war operative whose objective is to deplete the ranks of opposing forces in a leisurely but thorough fashion, the loquacious Guelvada still finds the time to dress immaculately, drink immoderate amounts of alcohol and remain a counter agent. Cheyney published one volume of short stories, advice to critics and a few poems in ''No Ordinary Cheyney'' (London: Faber and Faber, 1948). Cheyney makes a cameo appearance in the Dennis Wheatley/J.G. Links "dossier" mystery "Herewith the Clues," published in 1939. He appears as man-of-fortune William Benson, one of the suspects. He died at age 55, after having fallen into a coma. He was buried at Putney Vale Cemetery in London.

Personal life

From all accounts, Cheyney lived much like his characters, working too hard, living the fast and careless life with a breathtaking abandon that eventually caught up with him. In addition to his literary skills, "he was a fencer of repute, a golfer, a crack pistol-shot, and a jiu-jitsu expert." He joined the New Party (set up by Sir

Oswald Mosley Sir Oswald Ernald Mosley, 6th Baronet (16 November 1896 – 3 December 1980) was a British politician during the 1920s and 1930s who rose to fame when, having become disillusioned with mainstream politics, he turned to fascism. He was a member ...

and precursor to the later British Union of Fascists or BUF) in 1931, heading its youth detachment, which protected public meetings. He was married three times: in 1919 to the stage actress Dorma Leigh (from whom he was divorced in 1931), in 1934 to Kathleen Nora Walter Taberer, and in 1948 to Lauretta Theresa Singer. He had no children.

List of works

Lemmy Caution

*'' This Man Is Dangerous'' (1936) – filmed as '' This Man Is Dangerous'' (France; Jean Sacha, 1953) *'' Poison Ivy'' (1937) – filmed as '' La môme vert-de-gris'' (France;

Bernard Borderie Bernard Borderie (10 June 1924 in Paris – 28 May 1978 in Paris) was a French film director and screenwriter. His father, Raymond Borderie, was one of the producers of ''Children of Paradise, Les Enfants du Paradis'' (''Children of Paradise'', 1945 ...

, 1953) *'' Dames Don't Care'' (1937) – filmed as '' The Women Couldn't Care Less'' (France;

, 1954) *'' Can Ladies Kill?'' (1938) *'' Don't Get Me Wrong'' (1939) – filmed as ''Vous pigez'' (France; Victor Trivas and Jacques Doniol-Valcroze, 1955) *'' You'd Be Surprised'' (1940) *'' Your Deal, My Lovely'' (1941) – filmed as '' Your Turn, Darling'' (France;

(1963) *'' Never a Dull Moment'' (1942) *''

You Can Always Duck ''You Can Always Duck'' is a 1943 thriller novel by the British writer Peter Cheyney. It is the ninth in his series of novels featuring the FBI agent Lemmy Caution. The action takes place in wartime London where Caution is on the trail of a gang ...

'' (1943) *'' I'll Say She Does!'' (1945) – filmed as '' Women Are Like That'' (France;

, 1960) *''

G-Man at the Yard ''G-Man at the Yard'' is a 1946 thriller novel by the British writer Peter Cheyney. It is the final entry in the popular series of novels featuring the FBI agent Lemmy Caution. It was republished posthumously in 1953 following his death in 1951, ...

'' (1946)

Slim Callaghan Slim Callaghan is a fictional London-based private detective created by the writer Peter Cheyney. Like another of Cheyney's characters, the FBI agent Lemmy Caution, he was constructed as a British response to the more hardboiled detectives of Ameri ...

*'' The Urgent Hangman'' (1938) – filmed as '' Meet Mr. Callaghan'' (UK; Charles Saunders, 1954) *'' Dangerous Curves'' (1939), US title: ''Callaghan'' *'' You Can't Keep the Change'' (1940) *''

It Couldn't Matter Less ''It Couldn't Matter Less'' is a 1941 thriller novel by the British writer Peter Cheyney. It is the fourth in a series of novels featuring the London-based private detective Slim Callaghan who enjoyed a series of dangerous adventures similar in ...

'' (1941), US title: ''Set-up for Murder'' – filmed as '' More Whiskey for Callaghan'' (France; Willy Rozier, 1955) *''

Sorry You've Been Troubled ''Sorry You've Been Troubled'' is a mystery play by the British-American writer Walter C. Hackett. It premiered at His Majesty's Theatre in London's West End where it ran for 157 performances between 24 September 1929 and 1 February 1930. Th ...

'' (1942), US title: ''Farewell to the Admiral'' - filmed as '' Your Turn, Callaghan'' (France; Willy Rozier, 1955) *'' They Never Say When'' (1944) *'' Uneasy Terms'' (1946) – filmed under the same title in 1948 *''Calling Mr. Callaghan'' (1953) – collected short stories

Dark Series

A loose series grouping together several different protagonists: *''

Dark Duet ''Dark Duet'' is a 1942 spy thriller novel by the British writer Peter Cheyney. Cheyney had become known for his hardboiled crime thrillers featuring Lemmy Caution and Slim Callaghan, but this novel was his first fully-fledged espionage novel. ...

'' (1942), also as ''The Counterspy Murders'' *''

The Stars Are Dark ''The Stars Are Dark'' is a 1943 spy thriller novel by the British writer Peter Cheyney. It was published in America with the alternative title ''The London Spy Murders''. It follows on from the 1942 novel ''Dark Duet'' focusing on British cou ...

'' (1943), also as ''The London Spy Murders'' *''

The Dark Street ''The Dark Street'' is a 1944 thriller novel by the British writer Peter Cheyney. It was published in the United States by Dodd, Mead with the alternative title of ''The Dark Street Murders''. It follows on from both the 1942 novel '' Dark Duet'' ...

'' (1944), also as ''The Dark Street Murders'' *''

Sinister Errand ''Sinister Errand'' is a 1945 spy thriller novel by the British writer Peter Cheyney. Cheyney known for his creations Lemmy Caution and Slim Callaghan, introduced a new character the half-American secret agent Michael Kells. It was followed by a ...

'' (1945), also as ''Sinister Murders'' – filmed as ''

Diplomatic Courier A diplomatic courier is an official who transports diplomatic bags as sanctioned under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Couriers are granted diplomatic immunity and are thereby protected by the receiving state from arrest and ...

'' (US; Henry Hathaway, 1952) *'' Dark Hero'' (1946), also as ''The Case of the Dark Hero'' *''

Dark Interlude ''Dark Interlude'' is an Australian novel by E. V. Timms. References External links''Dark Interlude''at AustLit AustLit: The Australian Literature Resource (also known as AustLit: Australian Literature Gateway; and AustLit: The Resource fo ...

'' (1947), also as ''The Terrible Night'' *''

Dark Wanton ''Dark Wanton'' is a 1948 thriller novel by the British writer Peter Cheyney.Reilly p.300 It was published in the United States under the alternative title ''Case of the Dark Wanton'' Synopsis In London's West End West End most commonly re ...

'' (1948), also as ''Case of the Dark Wanton'' *''

You Can Call It a Day ''You Can Call It a Day'' is a 1949 thriller novel by the British writer Peter Cheyney who had gained a reputation for writing popular novels in the American hardboiled style. It was the first of a trilogy featuring the private detective Joh ...

'' (1949), also as ''The Man Nobody Saw'' *''

Dark Bahama ''Dark Bahama'' is a 1950 thriller novel by the British writer Peter Cheyney. It was the second in a trilogy featuring the private detective Johnny Vallon, a hard-drinking former army officer. The story also features Quale, the head of Britis ...

'' (1950), also as ''I'll Bring Her Back'' *''

Lady, Behave! ''Lady, Behave!'' is a 1950 thriller novel by the British writer Peter Cheyney. It was the third part in a trilogy featuring Johnny Vallon, a hard-drinking former army officer now working as a private detective .James p.202 References Bibliog ...

'' (1950), also as ''Lady Beware'' *''

Ladies Won't Wait ''Ladies Won't Wait'' is a 1951 spy thriller novel by the British writer Peter Cheyney. It is a sequel to the 1945 novel '' Sinister Errand'' and portrays the continued adventures of Michael Kells, a half-American, half-British secret agent.Panek ...

'' (1951), also as ''Cocktails and the Killer''

Other novels

*''Another Little Drink'' (1940), also as ''Premeditated Murder'' and ''A Trap for Bellamy'' *'' Night Club'' (1945), also as ''Dressed to Kill'' *''

Dance Without Music ''Dance Without Music'' is the second studio album by British musicians Paul Downes and Phil Beer, and their first under the shorter name of "Downes & Beer", released as a standard 33 rpm 10-track stereo vinyl in 1976 only.https://www.viny ...

'' (1947). Serialised, '' News of the World''. *''Try Anything Twice'' (1948), also as ''Undressed to Kill'' *''

One of Those Things "One of Those Things" is a song written by American country music artists Pam Tillis and Paul Overstreet and recorded by Tillis on Warner Bros. Records. The song was released as a single in June 1985, but did not chart. After signing with Arista ...

'' (1949), also as ''Mistress Murder''

Short story collections

*''You Can't Hit a Woman'' (1937) *''Knave Takes Queen'' (1939; enlarged edition, 1950) *''Mr. Caution – Mr. Callaghan'' (1941) *''Making Crime Pay'' (1944), collected stories, articles, radio plays *''The Curiosity of Etienne MacGregor'' (1947), also as ''The Sweetheart of the Razors'' *''No Ordinary Cheyney'' (1948) *''Velvet Johnnie'' (1952) *''The Adventures of Julia'' (1954), US title: ''The Killing Game'' *''He Walked in Her Sleep'' (1954), also as ''MacTavish'' *''The Mystery Blues'' (1954), also as ''Fast Work''

Uncollected short fiction

*''The Snow Lady''. ''Morecambe Guardian'', 21 March 1930 (Alonso Mactavish) *''The Snow Man''. ''Hastings & St Leonards Observer'', 27 December 1930 (Alonso Mactavish) *''Angel Unawares''. ''Sheffield Daily Independent'' Christmas Budget, 19 December 1936 *''Bread upon the Waters''. ''Rugby Advertiser'', 18 February 1938

Uncollected non-fiction

*''Curse of the Crystal''. ''Belfast Telegraph'', 1 January 1931 *''Suicide Walkers - Are You One?''. ''Sunderland Daily Echo & Shipping Gazette'', 14 July 1937

Biographies and memoirs

A 1954 biography of Cheyney, ''Peter Cheyney: Prince of Hokum'', was written by Michael Harrison. (London: N. Spearman, 1954.) Cheyney published a semi-autobiographical volume, ''Making Crime Pay'' and after his death at least two biographical essays appeared in posthumous collections. An essay by Viola Garvin, "Peter Cheyney" appears in ''Velvet Johnnie'' a posthumous collection of Cheyney's short stories (London: Collins, 1952, pages 7–32). The other essay is anonymous. It appears in the Cheyney collection ''Calling Mr. Callaghan'' (London: Todd, 1953, pages 7–16).

References

External links

*
Complete Bibliography: British editions, international editions, short stories & magazine publications
*

* ttp://www.hrc.utexas.edu/research/fa/lfcheyney.html Peter Cheyney Collectionat the

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at the

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Cheyney, Peter 1896 births 1951 deaths 20th-century English novelists People educated at Mercers' School Burials at Putney Vale Cemetery English crime fiction writers English male novelists 20th-century English male writers British Army personnel of World War I