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J. C. Masterman was an academic, intelligence officer, sportsman and author. He wrote two crime novels and a number of other works.

- crime novels
- selected other publications

An Oxford Tragedy

J.C. Masterman

1933

"Francis Wheatley Winn, Senior Tutor at St Thomas' s College, is ready for a cosy night of dining, port, and pleasant company. Ernst Brendel, Viennese lawyer and crime specialist, has come to Oxford to lecture in Law, and the regular residents of St Thomas's are pleased to have such an interesting guest to liven up their after dinner chat. Talk soon turns to murder, and Winn finds the subject altogether unpalatable, even if his colleagues seem to relish the details of past cases Brendel has worked on. But then real Murder breaks the cosy calm of the evening, shocking the inhabitants out of their frivolous talk. Now Winn must overcome his distaste to work with Brendel in uncovering the perpetrator of this terrible crime."

The Case of the Four Friends

J.C. Masterman

1957

"Late at night in the Senior Common Room of St Thomas's College, Ernst Brendel is persuaded by his companions to relate a tale of murder, blackmail, and corruption. A wager is made, half a crown to the first person to guess the murderer correctly. But the game is not so simple. The crime involves four friends, each with the potential to be the murderer – or the victim. Brendel employs the art of 'pre-detection', uncovering motive and cause before the crime has even been committed. But does he have enough foresight to prevent the dastardly deed from taking place?"

Fate Cannot Harm Me

J.C. Masterman

1935

A novel.

"Anthony Newton has fallen hopelessly in love with the beautiful Cynthia, and feels desperate to secure her hand, putting an end to his carefree bachelor days. But there is one small problem. Cynthia is only nineteen, and Anthony, at thirty-six, is thought rather too old for her. Tearing himself from her side, Anthony goes on a great Arctic adventure, purely for the purpose of giving Cynthia time to be young, and test his own feelings towards her. For the three years he is away battling the elements, Anthony's greatest fear is that his dear Cynthia will find love with another in his absence. On returning to London Anthony finds himself dangerously out of the social loop. Luckily, his good old friend Monty is ready to catch him up on all that has happened while he was away. Sitting down to an excellent dinner, Monty slowly unfolds a tale of frustrated love, rivalry, and social scheming. Anthony hangs on his every word, desperate to know if his heart's desire will be fulfilled. But as it becomes clear that Cynthia is now the object of more than one man's affection, he may have to get in line."

To Teach the Senators Wisdom, or, An Oxford Guide-Book

J.C. Masterman

1952

Bits and Pieces

J.C. Masterman

1961

A collection of articles and essays.

The Double Cross System in the War of 1939 to 1945

J.C. Masterman

1972

"J.C. Masterman was chairman of the Double-Cross Committee at the height of World War Two. This is his account of the double agents, deception and counter-espionage which were key to the victory of D-Day. Written as an official report for MI5 in 1945, originally published with the permission of the British Government over twenty years later, The Double-Cross System details the Allied handling of enemy agents and the British infiltration of Nazi spy-rings. Telling the stories of the agents codenamed Zigzag, Tricycle, Garbo and Snow, Masterman also tells the story of a triumphant operation in the Second World War’s intelligence effort."

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On the Chariot Wheel: An Autobiography

J.C. Masterman

1975