Evelyn Berckman

Evelyn Domenica Berckman was a British author known for her post-war detective fiction, horror, and naval history novels. She was born on October 18, 1900, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and later moved to London in 1960. Berckman had a knack for creating engaging titles and featured a series of independent young women as the protagonists in her stories. Her novels were often set against intriguing backgrounds, such as the world of archaeology, bridge clubs, and ruined British mansions.

Berckman's musical career as a pianist and composer was a significant part of her life before she became a writer. However, she suffered from temporary paralysis brought on by long hours of practicing the piano, which forced her to put her musical career on hold. It wasn't until the 1940s that Berckman began her writing career in earnest. Her novels, while occasionally containing fluffy love scenes, were presented with competence and an obvious love and knowledge of the subject matter. Some of her most notable works include "The Evil of Time," "A Simple Case of Ill-Will," "The Heir of Starvelings," and "The Voice of Air." Berckman's manuscripts are now housed at the Mugar Memorial Library of Boston University. She passed away on September 18, 1978.
Standalone Novels
# Title Year
1 Beckoning Dream 1940
2 The Hovering Darkness 1940
3 The Evil of Time 1954
4 The Strange Bedfellow 1956
5 The Blind Villain 1957
6 No Known Grave 1958
7 Lament for Four Brides 1960
8 Do You Know This Voice? 1961
9 Blind Girls Buff 1962
10 Simple Case of Ill Will 1964
11 A thing that happens to you 1964
12 Stalemate 1966
13 The Heir of Starvelings 1967
14 A case in nullity 1968
15 She Asked for it 1970
16 The stake in the game 1971
17 The voice of air 1971
18 A Finger To Her Lips 1971
19 The Fourth Man On The Rope 1972
20 Wait/Wait, Just You Wait 1973
21 The Victorian Album 1973
22 Indecent Exposure / The Nightmare Chase 1975
23 The Crown Estate / The blessed plot 1976
24 Be All And End All / Journey's End 1976
Non-Fiction Books
# Title Year
1 Nelson's Dear Lord 1962
2 The Hidden Navy 1973
3 Creators and destroyers of the English Navy 1974
4 Victims Of Piracy 1979