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captaincymru's review
dark
mysterious
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I love British Library Crime Classic and this one was really good.
I loved the very intricate plot, full of twists, the characters and the style of writing.
A hidden gem of the Golden Age of Mystery.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press
I loved the very intricate plot, full of twists, the characters and the style of writing.
A hidden gem of the Golden Age of Mystery.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press
harrietnbrown's review against another edition
3.0
Clever and entertaining--except for the horrifyingly casual anti-Semitism, which came as a bit of a shocker.
vesper1931's review against another edition
3.0
Bruce Attleton, was once a successful novelist, but is now financial dependent on his actress wife, has gone missing. But when his suitcase and passport are found in the cellar of an abandoned artist's studio it is up to Inspector Macdonald to untangle the puzzle.
An interesting mystery (writen in 1937) where it seems everyone could be guilty.
A NetGalley Book
An interesting mystery (writen in 1937) where it seems everyone could be guilty.
A NetGalley Book
lsneal's review against another edition
3.0
An entertaining slice of 1930s London. I figured out who had "done it" pretty early on, but seeing how Inspector MacDonald arrived at the same conclusion despite all the efforts to divert suspicion one way or another was entertaining, and the atmosphere of the story was great.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I love British Library Crime Classic and this one was really good.
I loved the very intricate plot, full of twists, the characters and the style of writing.
A hidden gem of the Golden Age of Mystery.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press
I loved the very intricate plot, full of twists, the characters and the style of writing.
A hidden gem of the Golden Age of Mystery.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press
pgchuis's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
Bruce Attleton has been behaving strangely and reacting angrily when a Mr Debrette telephones him, so Bruce's friend Neil asks Robert (the man who hopes to marry Bruce's ward Elizabeth) to find out more about Mr Debrette while Bruce is abroad. Robert's investigations lead him to discover Bruce's luggage and passport in a London studio - Bruce never made it to Paris and is missing.
This was firmly a period read; some of the slang was hard to understand, and Elizabeth was infantilized by both Neil and Robert. On the other hand, the description of how the (remarkably competent) Scotland Yard officers worked with local police and fire departments was interesting and admirable. The lead detective, MacDonald was a likeable, wise and reassuring character, in contrast to the hapless and immature Robert, whom I really didn't take to. He was 11 years older than Elizabeth and wanted to marry her immediately because he suspected if they had to wait until she turned 21 in two years' time, she wouldn't marry him after all... Later he causes a traffic accident which leaves an innocent motorist with a broken limb and a concussion, and seems to feel an almost sociopathic lack of remorse or sympathy.
The solution to the crimes was so convoluted and devious that even now I am slightly confused about aspects of what went on - were the problems with Dinah nothing to do with anything, for example? - although on the whole it was satisfactory, and if MacDonald is sure he knows what went on, then that's good enough for me!
Bruce Attleton has been behaving strangely and reacting angrily when a Mr Debrette telephones him, so Bruce's friend Neil asks Robert (the man who hopes to marry Bruce's ward Elizabeth) to find out more about Mr Debrette while Bruce is abroad. Robert's investigations lead him to discover Bruce's luggage and passport in a London studio - Bruce never made it to Paris and is missing.
This was firmly a period read; some of the slang was hard to understand, and Elizabeth was infantilized by both Neil and Robert. On the other hand, the description of how the (remarkably competent) Scotland Yard officers worked with local police and fire departments was interesting and admirable. The lead detective, MacDonald was a likeable, wise and reassuring character, in contrast to the hapless and immature Robert, whom I really didn't take to. He was 11 years older than Elizabeth and wanted to marry her immediately because he suspected if they had to wait until she turned 21 in two years' time, she wouldn't marry him after all... Later he causes a traffic accident which leaves an innocent motorist with a broken limb and a concussion, and seems to feel an almost sociopathic lack of remorse or sympathy.
The solution to the crimes was so convoluted and devious that even now I am slightly confused about aspects of what went on - were the problems with Dinah nothing to do with anything, for example? - although on the whole it was satisfactory, and if MacDonald is sure he knows what went on, then that's good enough for me!
kjcharles's review against another edition
Ingenious murder mystery with lots of red herrings. The style is fast and light and it's got great London atmosphere but overall rather suffered from the author explaining the plot (the policeman spends a lot of time reiterating the possible solutions). It also has a couple of nasty 30s attitudes inc a random bit of antisemitism on the part of a character so I wouldn't rush to it.
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