Mysterious Quiz No. 3

Were you not an aficionado of mystery fiction, it is unlikely that you'd be reading this column, unless you were locked in a turret for two days with only this newspaper for company. And since most mystery readers tend to read large numbers of books in this, the greatest of all genres, perhaps you'll enjoy testing your memory and knowledge of it.

1. Which of the following literary figures is NOT a lawyer? Mr. Tutt, Randolph Mason, Perry Mason, Lou Boldt, Dismas Hardy.

2. A former governess, this spinster wears ratty hats and loves to knit. Who is she?

3. Name the detective who solves "The Mystery of Marie Roget."

4. In his screen debut, Richard Widmark played a psychopathic killer named Tommy Udo, indelibly remembered for his crazed laugh after pushing a wheelchair-bound old woman down a flight of stairs. Name the film.

5. Which famous author created the female private eye Theodolinda (Dol) Bonner?

6. She is described as "the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet" by Sherlock Holmes, for whom she will always be the woman. Who is she?

7. Which of the following films was NOT based on a novel by James Ellroy? "L.A. Confidential," "Cop," "The Black Dahlia," "Reservoir Dogs."

8. She spent her wedding night in an isolated house with a corpse in the cellar. Name the woman and her husband (a half-point for each). 9. In which city did Boston Blackie operate?

10. In which film does the protagonist offer these words of wisdom: "Keep you friends close, but your enemies closer?" Be careful and think twice before you answer.

11. Contrary to common belief, Ed McBain's 87th Precinct is not located in Manhattan. Where is it?

12. Agatha Christie, the greatest plotter of detective stories who ever lived, broke every rule of fair-play mystery fiction. Name the novels in which the murderer is (1) the narrator, (2) all 12 suspects, (3) a person known to be dead.

13. Now justly famous as one of the greatest espionage novelists of all time, this author's second novel featured his series character but was a pure detective story with no international elements. Who is the author? Bonus point if you can name the novel.

14. Although categorized as a noir film, Donald E. Westlake's brilliant humor is in evidence in his Academy Award-nominated film with such lines as this: "He was so crooked he could eat soup with a corkscrew." What was the picture?

15. The Mystery Writers of America gave its Grand Master award for lifetime achievement to suspense novelist Margaret Millar, who was married to an even more famous mystery writer. Give his real name and his pseudonym (a half-point for each).

16. Which of the following authors has written two novels featuring Sherlock Holmes? Margery Allingham, Loren D. Estleman, H.R.F. Keating, Anne Perry, Harlan Coben.

17. "Six Graves to Munich" is a spy thriller filmed in 1983 as "A Time To Die." The name of the author, Mario Cleri, is the pseudonym of Mario Puzo. True or false?

18. The television series "Richard Diamond, Private Eye" starred David Janssen and featured his mysterious answering service, known only as "Sam," whose face was never seen but whose gorgeous legs were a highlight of all 51 episodes. Whose were they?

19. A character named Jim O'Boyle made this indisputable statement in a 1974 novel by one of America's greatest crime novelists: "No one ever got in trouble keeping his mouth shut." Was the writer Robert B. Parker, Elmore Leonard, Ross Macdonald, or Mickey Spillane?

20. This 1987 suspense film was given credit for dramatically reducing America's rate of adultery by depicting the unexpected, unwanted, and unpleasant results of a one-night stand. It was, at the time, the second-highest grossing noir film ever made. What was the title?

If you answered 20 questions correctly, you're an idiot savant, like me. If you got 16-19, you're an expert; 12-15, pretty good; 6-11, about average; 2-5, you should read more; 0-1, why are you reading this column?

Mr. Penzler is the proprietor of the Mysterious Bookshop in Manhattan and the series editor of the annual "Best American Mystery Stories." He can be reached at ottopenzler@mysteriousbookshop.com.