- Paperback: 208 pages
- Publisher: HarperPerennial; 1st Harper Perennial Ed edition (Dec 1991)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0060921390
- ISBN-13: 978-0060921392
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 13.2 x 1.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,186,668 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
The Spectator
'One of the best detective stories published for a long time.' -
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
Book Description
A Francis Pettigrew mystery - It is the Second World War and the Blitz has forced the evacuation of various Government offices from London. Francis Pettigrew accompanies his ministry to the distant seaside resort of Marsett Bay where the civil servants must make the best of their temporary home. A lighthearted game of 'plan the perfect murder' starts and Pettigrew remains detached from the silliness - until a real murder happens.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Cyril Hare is one of those writers you are most likely to become acquainted with through your public library - if it hasn't yet sold off it's 'oldies' section, that is. The writing is very precise and a pleasure to read, and although this is not a thriller, or in fact a detective story in the purest sense, it is a wonderful puzzle and ends up with a very unlikely but wholly satisfying ending. I am not being deliberately mysterious, but it is one of quite a long series of books featuring the 'hero' Francis Pettigrew - with a name like that you can probably guess that he's not really a very adventurous 'investigator'. In this book, set in 1940's war time rural England, he is head of what is called the Pin Control... It sounds highly unlikely, but with a cup of tea and a bar of chocolate, a couple of hours' peace with a Cyril Hare could be the best Sunday afternoon you spend this winter!
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Barrister Francis Pettigrew is away from his chambers to act as legal advisor to the wartime Pin Control Authority (Yes, really, Pin Control). This is of course a fictional authority, so no problems with secrets, defamation etc. A country house mystery, elegantly written and with, as usual for Pettigrew and his barrister author, a lesson in the arcana of the law of England and Wales. Interestingly (to me, at least, in Wales), there are details to suggest location in perhaps Barmouth or Harlech, though this is also disguised, as Marsett Bay.
Fun, in a very 1940s style.
Fun, in a very 1940s style.
Format:Paperback
I am SO grateful to the other reviewer who commented on this lovely book, which prompted me to request it from the bowels of my library's archive. It was worth it! This is a clear, well-written, well-crafted book with a decent mystery, a great collection of characters, all served with the right balance of warmth and wit to make it a really enjoyable read. I like books that move swiftly through a story (rather than lingering on self-congratulatory flowery prose) but with enough detail to anchor the plot and differentiate between the different characters. I am one of those Agatha Christie fans who have read through her entire library several times, and was keen to find something to replace the good, non-gory plots she was so great at. I've tried many, many other writers, and found some who were good at the mystery twists but confusing on the characters/story, and some which were a good yarn but disappointing on the final reveal. While Cyril Hare is a better writer than Christie, it's not pompous or convoluted, but a fun, charming read. I will seek out his other titles now!
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