Tag: private detective

Death of Mr. Dodsley by John Ferguson – A 1937 London Bibliomystery republished in the British Library Crime Classic series

May 23, 2023

Death of Mr Dodsley by John Ferguson

This book is subtitled “A London Bibliomystery” as it deals with a bookseller, a book shop, and a much-scorned crime novel written by one of the characters that receives an awful if classic review. This review is a very positive one, however, as it this novel features some vivid characters, a fascinating setting of a bookshop and its mechanics laid bare, and a complex and satisfying mystery with many layers. As the description says, “A bookshop is a first-rate place for unobtrusive observation…One can remain in it an indefinite time, dipping into one book after another, all over the place.” Indeed, the stratagems adopted by at least one mysterious character for close observation involve moving books to allow a clear view of what is really going on in a second-hand department, and how much where and tear is inflicted during the lingering visits of potential customers. It is a satisfying novel published originally in 1937 and now reprinted in the excellent British Library Crime Classics series, with an informative Introduction from Martin Edwards which details the life and works of John Ferguson, who won enthusiastic support from Dorothy L Sayers for his work.  I enjoyed this book, especially the development of the characters, and I was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review it.

As the subtitle suggests, this book is mainly set in the bookselling area of London, the setting for many bibliomysteries of the Golden Age of detection. However, the book actually opens in the House of Commons, as a late-night sitting features the much-noticed MP Grafton. The discovery of an abandoned detective novel together with a poor review introduces a link to the case which will soon emerge. A young but capable police constable is then shown confronting a drunken reveller, who indirectly leads him to a bookshop with an unlocked door. When he investigates, his discoverer of a murdered man at a desk provokes a case which will provide precious few solid clues, including discarded cigarette ends. While the staff of the bookshop are interviewed, including a young woman who is obsessed with American gangster films and speaks accordingly, the investigation draws in those who may or may not have a connection with the murdered man, and sufficient motive to commit the crime. It is when MacNab, a private detective who will become Ferguson’s series sleuth, appears with his special knowledge of the circumstances and shop, that the investigation really takes off. The police officers perform their function well, but it takes MacNab to discover who has achieved the unlikely, if not impossible, and why.

I really enjoyed this book because of its setting, which is so well described with a basic floor plan included. The small details such as a woman’s hair clip being discovered shows the careful attention to detail which really supports a complex plot which is underlying the action of the novel. The real achievement of this novel, I think, is the dialogue and the voices allocated to each character which really bring this book alive; from cameos of MPs to a quiet but observant bookseller, to a young police officer quaking in the face of identification, the characters have their individual realities even if their overall contribution to the narrative is relatively small. MacNab emerges as a clever and resourceful man who is able to size up the other characters well, yet he is portrayed as fallible in his genuine confusion. I thoroughly recommend this particular republished novel for its distinctive characters and fascinating plot which make it a fine example of Golden Age Detection.    

The Consequences of Fear by Jacqueline Winspear – London in September 1941 brings new challenges for Maisie Dobbs

March 30, 2021

The Consequences of Fear by Jacqueline Winspear

There are many facets of the Masie Dobbs story – this is the sixteen book that tells of her life and adventures. However, it is so well written that this book stands alone as a story of the Second World War, set in London 1941 when Britain still seems to fear the threat of invasion. When a messenger boy witnesses something which disturbs him even more than the continuous bombing of London which he has been trying to outrun, he turns to Maisie for help as a private investigator. What Freddie and a lot of people do not know is that Maisie is also working with those who are secretly trying to help the French cause, and it is this dangerous work that is making her wonder about all of her relationships.

As with all of Winspear’s novels this book benefits from an impressive amount of research, into the role played by boys who could run fast, the effects of the First World War on the men and women who were there, and the role of the British Secret services during the present conflict. Even without the element of mystery this would be an impressive book of historical fiction, such is Winspear’s sure understanding of the costs of total war. This skilled author never slows the story with extra information, it emerges naturally as part of the narrative. Maisie as always is the central figure, relying on her training from her mentor, her experience and her intuition to make the most of her contacts. Her work is against the background of her love for her daughter, for her family and friends that she has such a strong interest in from long term affection. This book is a wonderful read for Maisie Dobbs fans, but also those coming new to the characters. I was so very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this excellent book.

The Prologue sets out the story of Freddie Hackett, a boy who can run fast, knows London and has good reason to be observant and wary. When he witnesses a murder, he reports it to the police, but he knows that they will be difficult to convince without any evidence. He realizes that he must tell “Someone who would believe him.” Meanwhile Maisie is saying a temporary goodbye to her daughter Anna, and dealing with questions about “Uncle Mark”, an American that she is apparently having a relationship with in London. Her return to London from the village where she has gathered those whoshe loves is to discover her assistant embroiled in the cases that he is able to deal with, as well as the plight of Freddie who has been turned away from Scotland Yard. She determines that the boy is not lying, but can see that there is little specific evidence. She meets up with Robert MacFarlane to attend to her secret War work, which is difficult and secret and on this occasion particularly challenging on several levels. It is why she is beginning to wonder if she can really continue with her present life, especially when she gets more evidence of the worse that people are capable of in a time of uncertainty.

This is a brilliantly written book of twists and turns, surprises and revelations. It is a compelling read as it seems effortlessly to combine the challenges faced by a talented woman torn by her loyalty to those she loves and the common effort to do the right thing. I recommend this as a satisfying read, and an excellent addition to the Maisie Dobbs series.

Murder on the Downs by Julie Wassmer – Pearl becomes involved in a dangerous campaign

July 5, 2020

Murder on the Downs by Julie Wassmer

 

Whitstable Pearl is a person – a woman who balances her successful oyster restaurant in the town of Whitstable with being a private detective. Pressure is added by her relationship with Detective Chief Inspector Mike McGuire, which is always finely balanced partly owing to her unofficial help with cases of murder in the town.  Pearl must also consider her outrageous mother Dolly and her student son Charlie, who returns from Canterbury for the duration of this book. As a committed member of the community as opposed to the DFLs – Down From London – people who fill the town every summer, when a local issue of a proposed housing development comes to the fore, Pearl becomes involved. 

 

Although this is a book in a series, I think it works well as a standalone story. This is an excellent portrait of a town’s politics and concerns when there is a real threat to a well loved piece of land in the countryside surrounding Whitstable, as well as the demand for affordable housing for local people. It is at its heart a murder mystery, with plenty of red herrings for both Pearl and McGuire to consider in their different ways. I was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this extremely well written book. 

 

The book opens with Pearl and McGuire having just returned from a short break in Bruges, a romantic trip when they promised to find more time to spend with each other in the face of both careers. All too soon they are interrupted by the demands of their lives, as Pearl has to check on her restaurant and McGuire is summoned to work. On her way to work she encounters a protest meeting led by Martha Laker, an activist intent on protecting a greenfield site adjacent to her own house, and Frederick Clark, her uneasy ally in the dispute. When the leaders of the opposition in the form of the developers turn up at the restaurant in the company of an odious council official, Dolly is appalled and Pearl is disturbed to find that her own loyalties may be called into question. As before, Pearl’s family concerns contribute to her confusion in the case, and when a friend becomes embroiled in a violent confrontation her relationship with McGuire seems once again under threat.  When the local newspaper and gossip carry all sorts of allegations around the town and surrounding area, Pearl makes discoveries that will shake her confidence in the town that she has felt so much a part of for her entire life.

 

This is a well plotted book with enough twists and turns to make it a tense and exciting read. I enjoyed particularly the developing character of Pearl, as she faces new challenges from within a community that she knows so well. There is romance, maternal concern and much more in this fast moving story, when the people closest to Pearl remind her of loyalties and experiences in the face of panic. I thoroughly enjoyed this latest Whitstable Pearl mystery and recommend it to fans of contemporary mysteries set in a solid and believable community.     

 

I have really enjoyed this those books from the series which I have read so far – this is an example of a series which is getting better and better from an very good start. I understand that another novel is on the way, so this is a good time to plunge into the adventures of Whitstable Pearl and an idyllic seaside town both in and out of season- something which we miss in the midlands!