England. 1934.

In full view of a half dozen witnesses, the flying instructor of the Baston Aero Club goes into a tail spin, crashes, and is killed.

Merely a regrettable incident apparently, but that unique character, the Bishop of Cootamundra, who is learning to fly at the Club whilst on leave, thinks otherwise.

He doubts that the strange death was an accident.

These suspicions are the starting point of an investigation which involves an amazing chain of intrigue linked to the quiet town of Baston, culminating in one of the cleverest murders in detective fiction.

Together with Inspector Bray of Scotland Yard and Inspector Creighton, the Bishop uncovers an international crime operation involving cocaine, drug smuggling, secret marriages, French newspapers and loyalty to an elusive figure known as ‘The Chief’.

Included in the cast of this dramatic crime are Sally Sackbut, irreverent and flighty manager of the Club; two rival transatlantic flyers; Tommy Vane, who handles a double Scotch with greater agility than he handles a plane; Lady Crumbles, amazing organizer of air shows; and other extraordinary and diverting characters.

Can the Bishop identify the members of the criminal enterprise in time to prevent another death? And what will become of those innocent victims in charge of the Baston Aero Club?

Death of an Airman is an intriguing classic murder mystery of conspiracy, mirth and murder.

“A most ingenious and exciting plot... vigorous style... entertaining characters... exceedingly odd goings-on.” Dorothy L. Sayers

Christopher St John Sprigg (1907-1937) was a British author, writer and poet. He wrote detective fiction and worked as a literary editor for the Daily Express and as a reporter for the Yorkshire Observer. He was also a Marxist thinker and writer, his volumes of Marxist work were published under the pseudonym Christopher Caudwell. After joining the International Brigade, he was killed in action at just 29 years old during the Spanish Civil War.