Arthur Somers Roche


Arthur Somers Roche was an American author of novels, short stories, and two plays.

Biography

Arthur Somers Roche was born April 27, 1883, in Somerville, Massachusetts. He attended Holy Cross College from 1899 to 1901, then studied law at Boston University, graduating in 1904. Roche initially practiced law, but after 18 months, he switched careers and entered the newspaper business with The New York World. In 1910, he began to write fiction, contributing stories to magazines. His first story sold for $6, the second, for $25, after which he began to command higher prices for his output. In 1916, his first novel, Loot, was published. Two years later, in September 1918, he was commissioned a captain in the Military Intelligence Division of the United States Army.
Roche was married twice. His first wife was Ethel Kirby Nowell of New York; she died in 1915. He then married Ethel Pettit of Stuttgart, Arkansas, in 1917. Roche died February 17, 1935, in Palm Beach, Florida. He was 51.

Literary style

Roche's work has been described as light fiction that was "carefully plotted and up to the minute in subject matter." His novels were of the mystery thriller genre, often with fast-paced action taking place in unusual situations. In a few instances, he introduced a super detective.
In total, Roche wrote around 30 books, several of which were published posthumously, and numerous short stories. He also penned a play, The Crooks' Convention, and was co-author of another, The Scrap of Paper, with Owen Davis.

Works

Loot Plunder The Scrap Of Paper, Sport Of Kings Eyes Of The Blind Ransom Uneasy Street Day of Faith Find the Woman More Honorable Man John Ainsley, Master Thief The Pleasure Buyers Devil-May-Care Come to My House What I Know About You No Stockings ; softcover, 32 pp., complete novella issued by a Boston newspaperWise Wife Marriage for Two The Woman Hunters Age of Youth Among Those Present Four Blocks Apart Rhapsody in Gold Gracious Lady Wrong Wife Great Abduction The Case Against Mrs. Ames Conspiracy Shadow of Doubt Penthouse In the Money Star of Midnight Callingham's Girl Hard to Get Lady of Resource
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Partial filmography

Over the Wire Kissed The Day of Faith The Pleasure Buyers The Girl from Chicago Come to My House Man, Woman and Wife Penthouse