3.84 AVERAGE


Stodgy Robert Blair, a lawyer, meets the unconventional Marion Sharpe when Marion and her mother are falsely accused of kidnapping a teenage girl and imprisoning her in their attic. I enjoy the characters in this, and it's a little weird to see Inspector Grant not on the side of the angels. I enjoy this story very much.
adventurous challenging hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
mysterious medium-paced
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
funny mysterious

Reading The Franchise Affair reminded me why I love old school mysteries so much. The story was about two women accused of kidnapping a girl. There were no distracting side plots and not every character was a secret psychopath. 1940 English is also a delight to read, seeing how language changed since then.

I'm not a regular reader of detective novels, but I enjoyed this one. The characters in it were interesting and easy to latch on to, and while the plot rested on a neat explanation of how the crime went ahead, it found time for a bit of satire and social commentary. Occasionally it strayed into being a bit too 1940s (the suggestion that a criminal can be spotted by the colour and setting of their eyes, for instance), but if you can overlook the foibles of the period it's enjoyable.
mysterious
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Robert Blair, a local solicitor, receives a strange and urgent request for help from the Sharpe family. Marion and Mrs Sharpe claim that a young girl named Betty Kane has accused them of kidnapping and imprisoning her at The Franchise for a month. Blair is initially skeptical of Sharpe's innocence, as they are known for being eccentric and aloof. Marion and her mother vehemently reject the charges, asserting that they are complete strangers to Betty and cannot fathom the reason behind her false accusations. Intrigued by the case, Blair decides to investigate further. He must unravel this mystery and figure out who’s lying.

The Franchise Affair is timeless classic in the realm of mystery and intrigue, which first graced bookshelves in 1948. Renowned as one of the 100 best mystery books of all time. I am delighted to share that I've seized a truly remarkable deal! Acquiring the digital edition on Kindle for a mere A$ 0.99 is undeniably a treasure trove of delight.

“The Franchise Affair" being a book from 1948 can indeed present challenges for non-native English speakers due to its older writing style and intricate sentence structures. For example “Robert had discovered that the never-look-at-the-customers technique was universal-presumably they were all going to be film stars the year after next and could not be expected to take any interest in a provincial clientele-he paid for the untasted liquid and left.” Additionally, the book's focus on detailed descriptions and minimal conversations might make it more demanding to follow for some readers.

Let’s discuss the positives. Firstly, the plot's brilliance lies in its ability to deliver a gripping mystery without relying on violence or gruesome scenes. The creative ingenuity of the mystery is a testament to Tey's storytelling prowess. The way the puzzle unravels, leaving readers astonished, speaks to the author's ability to weave a tale filled with unexpected twists and turns that have the power to leave one's jaw-dropping in sheer amazement. Despite being penned in 1948, the story's enduring intrigue arises from its timelessness. The themes and dilemmas explored, such as media ethics, remain strikingly relevant even today. 

If you're looking for a captivating mystery with a plot that stands out from the crowd, "The Franchise Affair" is a perfect recommendation. Allow the clever mystery and captivating storytelling of "The Franchise Affair" to take you on an unforgettable literary journey where the magic of literature knows no limits.
mysterious tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No