I have just learned, to my intense sorrow, of the death of Robert Adey (Bob to all of his friends). Bob, of course, is known to all locked room fans for his bibliography Locked Room Murders, the reference “bible” for all such English-language works.
He was the epitome of the phrase “a gentleman and a scholar,” for he was not only possessed of a prodigious memory and a fabulous private collection, but he was the kindest and most generous of men. Despite a debilitating illness in his final years, he was always ready to help and supplied me with copies of many out-of-print stories. When I asked him to write the introduction to ‘The Derek Smith Omnibus’ he did it splendidly, despite an initial reluctance, doing weeks of research through his old files. I only realize it now, but it must have been literally “painstaking” for him, yet he did it graciously as an act of friendship and a tribute to a late friend.
He will be sorely missed
John P.
I started at Hill Street School Stourbridge when we were 5 and we went through the Infants, junior school and King Edwards School together.
Bob was always a very articulate reader and we always competed for the reading prise at King Edwards but he always won.
I had used to bump into him at Book Fairs where for a few years I had a stand and he always bought a book.
I lost contact with him for many years until I met his cousin Phil and had his telephone number, we used to speak occasionally but never got to meet up.
So sorry he has passed away,
Roger Seabury