King by Night by Edgar Wallace First Edition John Long 1925. A VG+ copy. Contents bright and clean throughout. No inscriptions. In a VG dust jacket that has no tears or loss. Priced at 7/6. 

In this electrifying thriller, Edgar Wallace spins a tale of deception and danger in London’s underworld. Tony Braid, a suave ex-con dubbed “King by Night” for his nocturnal heists, seeks redemption but is drawn back into crime when a crooked financier blackmails him into stealing a priceless diamond. As Braid navigates a labyrinth of double-crosses, he’s pursued by relentless Inspector Minter and ensnared by a seductive femme fatale with her own agenda. From foggy East End alleys to glittering Mayfair salons, the plot races through betrayals, rooftop chases, and a deadly ambush, culminating in a twist that flips hunter and hunted. Wallace’s breakneck prose delivers a quintessential 1920s caper, pulsing with suspense and roguish charm.

As a standout in his crime oeuvre, blending Raffles-esque flair with gritty pulp, it appeals to fans of early le Carré or Buchan. Its rarity—due to modest printings and fragile bindings—makes it a prized gem for enthusiasts of interwar thrillers, offering a snapshot of Jazz Age fascination with glamorous crooks and urban intrigue.