Four Max Carrados Detective Stories

A stormy night finds a weary coin dealer still hunched over his ledger when a familiar figure slips inside, shedding rain and formality alike. Private investigator Max Carlyle, now calling himself an “inquiry agent,” places a battered Sicilian tetradrachm on the counter, demanding an absolute verdict on its authenticity. The coin, once coveted by a lord at a famous auction, now hangs over a pending arrest, and Carlyle has no patience for speculation.

The dealer confesses his limits in classical numismatics, hinting at a handful of specialists who might settle the matter—but they are few, competitive, and elusive after hours. As the conversation turns, a curious American millionaire with a lineage claim to King Offa surfaces, suggesting that the case may intersect with high‑society intrigue and obscure antiquities. With time ticking, Carlyle must navigate a shadowy network of experts, dealers, and eccentric patrons to uncover the truth before the night’s deadline seals his fate.