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A review by pgchuis
Bats in the Belfry by E.C.R. Lorac
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!