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The Spy Who Did Nothing by Edward D. Hoch

© Janet Kay Blaylock

This article is about "The Spy Who Did Nothing" by Edward D. Hoch. I started reading his stories and have liked what I have read. I enjoyed this story.. I like the way he writes his plots. The author shows the detectives solving the case. They discuss the evidence they have and why they believe the way they do. That makes it interesting. You feel like you are right there with the detectives and trying to solve the case with them. Let's look at "The Spy Who Did Nothing."

The Spy Who Did Nothing

In the beginning of this story, the author starts out with action, and Hastings saying he knows who the spy is. This shows readers that someone in the Department was a spy. Now, readers want to know who it is and how a spy could be in their Deparment.

Hastings and Rand are trying to solve this puzzle. Rand isn't sure who the person is, but Hastings has an idea. He believes the spy is his secretary. Rand can't see why it could be her because the security would check her out thoroughly before she started working in the department.

This shows that Rand is eliminating her as a suspect, but Hastings believes she is the spy. Right there is a little bit of conflict between the two detectives. Hastings is basing his conclusions on the fact that he and his secretary are the only ones who know about the secret information

Hastings starts telling Rand the evidence that he has gathered. First of all, he says that ever since he took the position he has, someone has been spying and giving confidential information to someone else. Then, Hastings tells him about Felix Bay who has been going to a bar every Friday night at the same time that his secretary, Miss Leeds does.

They know that Miss Leeds sits at a table with some office friends, and that Felix Bay sits at the bar with his back to them. He never makes eye contact with Miss Leeds or anyone else at the table. Yet, Hastings believes Miss Leeds is the spy.

Throughout this story, Hastings and Rand discuss the case and try to figure out the solution. As you read this story, you feel like you are right there with the detectives trying to solve the case.

Edward D. Hoch writes the story in such a way that it makes the plot easty to follow. You can see the evidence and how the detectives are trying to solve the case. I enjoy reading his stories because the plot is well written, and you can visualize the detectives and how they are thinking. Most of the clues are made visible, too so that readers can think through things, too. However, the ending throws readers off guard because the main clue is not made visible until the end.

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