The Nine Mile Walk: The Nicky Welt Stories - Harry Kemelman 1967 - G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York - First Edition ‘Strictly speaking, criminal investigation is not my job... but it is only natural to seize the opportunity of showing the professional where he might have slipped up.’

A series of eight charming and quirky short stories originally published in
‘Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine’, all revolving around Nicky Welt, Professor of English, a Sherlock Holmes-esque analyst with a knack for word puzzles and etymological anomalies. Able to solve a murder simply by overhearing the sentence ‘a nine mile walk is no joke, especially in the rain’, Kemelman provides puzzles and enigmas that will tease even the most seasoned mystery fans.
  ‘An excellent formal puzzle; a joyous novel of people and their problems.’ - New York Times Book Review.

References: Ellery Queen, Queen’s Quorum, 125. Herbert, The Oxford Companion to Crime & Mystery Writing 421

Octavo (21 x 14.5 cm). pp. [2] 186 [4]. In publisher’s dark blue cloth, spine lettered in red, front board stamped in red, dust jacket priced ‘$3.95’ to upper corner of front flap.
  Condition: Near fine, light scratching to front board, in near fine jacket, a touch of wear to head and tail of spine, minor toning to rear panel.   Ref: 108923   Price: HK$ 1,500