Common People — A.E. Martin

'People like to see something different - a king or a notorious criminal, a starving man. Even a dead elephant.' 'Dead elephant?' Pel nodded. 'Plenty have seen 'em alive. Very few have seen 'em dead.' Dapper Pel Pelham is pulling stunts again, spruiking for Henri Sapolio, World's Champion Starving Man. The circus is in town and the police are on the prowl. After Rena, Queen of the Trapeze, takes a dive, not even Estelle, the Armless Wonder, is safe from their enquiries. The Wakefield Crime Classics series revives forgotten or neglected gems of crime and mystery fiction by Australian authors. Many of the writers have established international reputations but are little known in Australia. 'The Wakefield Crime Classics series is marvellous ...a wonderful collection of writing that should not have been overlooked in this country in the first place.' - Terry O'Connor, Courier Mail