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Roger Sheringham Cases #3
Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery
A Roger Sheringham mystery from Golden Age author Anthony Berkeley When the Daily Courier sends Roger Sheringham to Hampshire, it's a job after his own heart. The body of a woman has been found at the bottom of the cliffs at Ludmouth Bay, and despite a verdict of accidental death, the local sighting of Inspector Moresby from Scotland Yard suggests otherwise. Unable to resist a little amateur sleuth work, Sheringham starts digging around. Events lead him down one blind alley after another as he attempts to rival Inspector Moresby and devise the correct theory about the tragic death of Mrs Vane.
212 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1927
55 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Berkeley
121 books167 followersAnthony Berkeley Cox was an English crime writer. He wrote under several pen-names, including Francis Iles, Anthony Berkeley Cox, and A. Monmouth Platts. One of the founders of The Detection Club
Cox was born in Watford and was educated at Sherborne School and University College London.
He served in the Army in World War I and thereafter worked as a journalist, contributing a series of humourous sketches to the magazine 'Punch'. These were later published collectively (1925) under the Anthony Berkeley pseudonym as 'Jugged Journalism' and the book was followed by a series of minor comic novels such as 'Brenda Entertains' (1925), 'The Family Witch' (1925) and 'The Professor on Paws' (1926).
It was also in 1925 when he published, anonymously to begin with, his first detective novel, 'The Layton Court Mystery', which was apparently written for the amusement of himself and his father, who was a big fan of the mystery genre. Later editions of the book had the author as Anthony Berkeley.
He discovered that the financial rewards were far better for detective fiction so he concentrated his efforts on that genre for the following 14 years, using mainly the Anthony Berkeley pseudonym but also writing four novels and three collections of short stories as Francis Isles and one novel as A Monmouth Platts.
In 1928 he founded the famous Detection Club in London and became its first honorary secretary.
In the mid-1930s he began reviewing novels, both mystery and non-mystery, for 'The Daily Telegraph' under the Francis Isles pseudonym, which he had first used for 'Malice Aforethought' in 1931.
In 1939 he gave up writing detective fiction for no apparent reason although it has been suggested that he came into a large inheritance at the time or that his alleged remark, 'When I find something that pays better than detective stories I shall write that' had some relevance. However, he produced nothing significant after he finished writing with 'Death in the House' (Berkeley) and 'As for the Woman' (Isles) in 1939.
He did, however, continue to review books for such as 'John O'London's Weekly', 'The Sunday Times', 'The Daily Telegraph' and, from the mid-1950s to 1970, 'The Guardian'. In addition he produced 'O England!', a study of social conditions and politics in 1934.
He and his wife lived in an old house in St John's Wood, London, and he had an office in The Strand where he was listed as one of the two directors of A B Cox Ltd, a company whose business was unspecified!
Alfred Hitchcock adapted the Francis Isles' title 'Before the Fact' for his film 'Suspicion' in 1941 and in the same year Cox supplied a script for another film 'Flight from Destiny', which was produced by Warner Brothers.
His most enduring character is Roger Sheringham who featured in 10 Anthony Berkeley novels and two posthumous collections of short stories.
He died on 9 March 1971.
Gerry Wolstenholme
January 2012 (less)
Cox was born in Watford and was educated at Sherborne School and University College London.
He served in the Army in World War I and thereafter worked as a journalist, contributing a series of humourous sketches to the magazine 'Punch'. These were later published collectively (1925) under the Anthony Berkeley pseudonym as 'Jugged Journalism' and the book was followed by a series of minor comic novels such as 'Brenda Entertains' (1925), 'The Family Witch' (1925) and 'The Professor on Paws' (1926).
It was also in 1925 when he published, anonymously to begin with, his first detective novel, 'The Layton Court Mystery', which was apparently written for the amusement of himself and his father, who was a big fan of the mystery genre. Later editions of the book had the author as Anthony Berkeley.
He discovered that the financial rewards were far better for detective fiction so he concentrated his efforts on that genre for the following 14 years, using mainly the Anthony Berkeley pseudonym but also writing four novels and three collections of short stories as Francis Isles and one novel as A Monmouth Platts.
In 1928 he founded the famous Detection Club in London and became its first honorary secretary.
In the mid-1930s he began reviewing novels, both mystery and non-mystery, for 'The Daily Telegraph' under the Francis Isles pseudonym, which he had first used for 'Malice Aforethought' in 1931.
In 1939 he gave up writing detective fiction for no apparent reason although it has been suggested that he came into a large inheritance at the time or that his alleged remark, 'When I find something that pays better than detective stories I shall write that' had some relevance. However, he produced nothing significant after he finished writing with 'Death in the House' (Berkeley) and 'As for the Woman' (Isles) in 1939.
He did, however, continue to review books for such as 'John O'London's Weekly', 'The Sunday Times', 'The Daily Telegraph' and, from the mid-1950s to 1970, 'The Guardian'. In addition he produced 'O England!', a study of social conditions and politics in 1934.
He and his wife lived in an old house in St John's Wood, London, and he had an office in The Strand where he was listed as one of the two directors of A B Cox Ltd, a company whose business was unspecified!
Alfred Hitchcock adapted the Francis Isles' title 'Before the Fact' for his film 'Suspicion' in 1941 and in the same year Cox supplied a script for another film 'Flight from Destiny', which was produced by Warner Brothers.
His most enduring character is Roger Sheringham who featured in 10 Anthony Berkeley novels and two posthumous collections of short stories.
He died on 9 March 1971.
Gerry Wolstenholme
January 2012 (less)
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 19, 2010
Anthony Berkeley can be relied upon for a narrative full of wit, much of it residing in the antics and comments of his detective, Roger Sheringham. He also belongs to that school of detective story writing which archly exhibits a consciousness of its own methods and conventions. Thus, at one point a police inspector tells Sheringham, "The trouble with you, Mr. Sheringham, is that you read too many detective novels." A little of this goes a long way, particularly as it tends to undermine the reality of the story, and Berkeley indulges in it a bit too much.
That being said, this was a most enjoyable read, with solid detecting by the police and Sheringham. Besides the element of post-modernism noted above, my one qualm is that Sheringham does not fulfill my idea of a detective as a hero of the mind. To avoid a spoiler, I can only say that Mr. Sheringham is no hero in this book.
That being said, this was a most enjoyable read, with solid detecting by the police and Sheringham. Besides the element of post-modernism noted above, my one qualm is that Sheringham does not fulfill my idea of a detective as a hero of the mind. To avoid a spoiler, I can only say that Mr. Sheringham is no hero in this book.
August 21, 2017
Let's just cut to the chase. I loved Anthony Berkeley's books. The Poisoned Chocolate Case astounded me by its ingenuity; Jumping Jenny impressed me by its innovative premise; and The Layton Court Mystery reminded me of Trent's Last Case, an introduction to the fallible detective.
What I love most about Berkeley's writing (aside from his witty dialog) is how he put criticism about the detective genre without really ignoring its own rules. And the main criticism that i saw across the books I've read was this: evidences and the interpretations of evidences.
Because of those two things we get multiple solutions in TPCC; Sheringham got himself caught in an awkward position between main-suspect-and-detective-role in JJ; and the strengthening of the fallible detective type of character in TLCM.
In Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery we see a quite familiar theme, yet with a different kind of case (which show Berkeley's ingenuity and originality). A lady died falling out of a cliff. Suicide? Accident? or Murder? But the words said that the police thought a foul play was involved. Roger and his cousin Anthony sets out to investigate the case as a representative of The Courier. Roger also thought of murder. Came in a Scotland Yard detective investigating the case, acting both as a partner and a rival to Roger Sheringham.
Noting what I said in the last sentence, a Cat and Mouse game was expected between our two detectives as we see them investigating behind each others back; holding on to important facts they found; dropping their own solution to amaze the other, that is until the case was eventually closed.
The criticism was evident in RSatVM, probing more to the nature of trust (trusting other as well as trusting our own capability) and subjectivity. There's nothing more I could say without spoiling the book, probably had done so without me even knowing.
What I love most about Berkeley's writing (aside from his witty dialog) is how he put criticism about the detective genre without really ignoring its own rules. And the main criticism that i saw across the books I've read was this: evidences and the interpretations of evidences.
Because of those two things we get multiple solutions in TPCC; Sheringham got himself caught in an awkward position between main-suspect-and-detective-role in JJ; and the strengthening of the fallible detective type of character in TLCM.
In Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery we see a quite familiar theme, yet with a different kind of case (which show Berkeley's ingenuity and originality). A lady died falling out of a cliff. Suicide? Accident? or Murder? But the words said that the police thought a foul play was involved. Roger and his cousin Anthony sets out to investigate the case as a representative of The Courier. Roger also thought of murder. Came in a Scotland Yard detective investigating the case, acting both as a partner and a rival to Roger Sheringham.
Noting what I said in the last sentence, a Cat and Mouse game was expected between our two detectives as we see them investigating behind each others back; holding on to important facts they found; dropping their own solution to amaze the other, that is until the case was eventually closed.
The criticism was evident in RSatVM, probing more to the nature of trust (trusting other as well as trusting our own capability) and subjectivity. There's nothing more I could say without spoiling the book, probably had done so without me even knowing.
February 13, 2016
*Special Content only on my blog, Strange and Random Happenstance during Golden Summer (May-September 2013)
Roger Sheringham is about to go off on holiday with his cousin Anthony when his editor calls. The Daily Courier has gotten wind that the accidental death of a Mrs. Vane in Ludmouth might not be quite so accidental, as Inspector Moresby has been seen poking around after the inquest. Roger bullies Anthony into accompanying him, because a holiday is one thing, a holiday that doubles as a murder mystery is quite another. Upon arriving in Ludmouth, Roger quickly runs into Inspector Moresby, whom he knows from the Wychford Poisoning Case, and the two discuss the fact that it is obvious that Mrs. Vane had to have been pushed from the cliffs in order to die. This wasn't an accident, and it certainly wasn't suicide.
The prime suspect is the comely cousin of Mrs. Vane, Miss Cross. Anthony soon makes her acquaintance and comes to the conclusion that such a pretty face is a harassed innocent, and Anthony and Roger soon go to great lengths to protect her and find another suspect, because the evidence very strongly points to her. Though the only other suspects would be the late Mrs. Vane's husband, Doctor Vane, or his lovestruck yet efficient secretary... or perhaps the oddly talkative Reverand Meadows, who reminds Roger of a goat. Roger has a new theory every day, and a new article for the Courier every night... but another murder throws all his what-ifs into question and he realizes that maybe he is wrong or maybe a careless word has led to another death... or maybe crime solving should be left to the professionals... no, Roger would never admit that.
Right about now you're looking at the disparate ratings between the first Anthony Berkeley book I read, The Layton Court Mystery, and this one, Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery, and probably thinking, oh my, what is going on, has she cracked? Though your surprise is nothing compared to my own. I was girding my loins as I reached for this book just imagining how atrocious it might be... and perhaps it's the fact that my expectations were so low, I mean, lower then the gutter low, that I really enjoyed it. I mean, sure, there was a bit of a rough start when I realized that there were quite a few similarities to the previous book, what with an accidental death/suicide not being as it appears and the murderer escaping justice, yet again, but somehow I had already come to grips with my gripes.
Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery is actually the third book in Berkeley's series staring that "keen-witted if slightly volatile Roger." For some unknown reason the second book, The Wychford Poisoning Case, which is referenced in this volume, has disappeared into the ether of time... perhaps it was for the best if it was on par with The Layton Court Mystery. So why have I done a 180 on this series? Well, I'm going with my fickleness as a reader as my defense. The problem I had with the first volume was all the flaws of Roger that just needled me till I wanted to slap that man silly... with some sort of cudgel that would result in pain and death. So going into reading another book with Roger I was well aware of his flaws. I now view Roger as that one friend you have, and don't say you don't have one, I know you do; everyone has a friend that says just the wrong thing at the wrong time, never censors what they say, and in most cases is just downright rude. The kind of friend that needs a disclaimer attached. Yet over time, you get used to their offensiveness. Sure, you've tried to curb it, but in the end, you just live with it. So Roger has become my friend whose flaws I know, but I put up with anyway.
As for the innumerable flaws, the belittling of his "idiot friend," his desire to hold important conversations in the middle of nowhere, his ludicrous theories coupled with the fact he is invariably wrong and blind to the obvious; they somehow work in this volume. His "stupid friend" in this instance is his cousin Anthony. And for some reason I feel the bickering and belittling between relatives more natural and tolerable then between friends. Also, instead of an underlying feeling of anger, their repartee has the feel of the long time association between family that let Anthony give as good as he got. Plus, the addition of Inspector Moresby can not be overlooked. Here is someone who Roger views as his "equal" so that he actually treats the Inspector mildly ok. They have a kind of Japp/Poirot relationship where Roger doesn't belittle his cohort... too much. Also, I have a niggling little feeling that Roger might be Moresby's "idiot friend" and that just tickles me to death that Roger doesn't realize it. Therefore it's more cohorts in crime solving, then the Roger Sheringham offends everyone show. And as for his weird desire to hold conversations in out of the way locals? For some reason perching on a rock looking at the cliffs seems more natural, like they're taking in the sights, then obviously going to a bench in a garden to conspire. Also, I love that his theories about the "weaker sex" come back to haunt him.
Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery carried on the meta nature of the first book, with actual crime versus fictional crime in a crime novel, but by thankfully dropping the Holmes and Watson bit Berkeley used ad nauseum in The Layton Court Mystery. This meta nature was able to not only exploit the obvious plot twists that you could see coming a mile off, but was then able to give you a twist at the end that you didn't see coming. In fairness to Berkeley, he stayed true to his writerly code, and you could see the ending if you didn't view the case through Roger's eyes, and I found this a little bit brilliant. While the romantic reader in me would have preferred the interpretation of the facts as Roger and I saw them, I can't help but love that Moresby smacks Roger down and points out to the writer that there is the mentality of a police officer and the mentality of the writer. These two mentalities are at odds, and sometimes it's better to not have too much imagination.
Roger Sheringham is about to go off on holiday with his cousin Anthony when his editor calls. The Daily Courier has gotten wind that the accidental death of a Mrs. Vane in Ludmouth might not be quite so accidental, as Inspector Moresby has been seen poking around after the inquest. Roger bullies Anthony into accompanying him, because a holiday is one thing, a holiday that doubles as a murder mystery is quite another. Upon arriving in Ludmouth, Roger quickly runs into Inspector Moresby, whom he knows from the Wychford Poisoning Case, and the two discuss the fact that it is obvious that Mrs. Vane had to have been pushed from the cliffs in order to die. This wasn't an accident, and it certainly wasn't suicide.
The prime suspect is the comely cousin of Mrs. Vane, Miss Cross. Anthony soon makes her acquaintance and comes to the conclusion that such a pretty face is a harassed innocent, and Anthony and Roger soon go to great lengths to protect her and find another suspect, because the evidence very strongly points to her. Though the only other suspects would be the late Mrs. Vane's husband, Doctor Vane, or his lovestruck yet efficient secretary... or perhaps the oddly talkative Reverand Meadows, who reminds Roger of a goat. Roger has a new theory every day, and a new article for the Courier every night... but another murder throws all his what-ifs into question and he realizes that maybe he is wrong or maybe a careless word has led to another death... or maybe crime solving should be left to the professionals... no, Roger would never admit that.
Right about now you're looking at the disparate ratings between the first Anthony Berkeley book I read, The Layton Court Mystery, and this one, Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery, and probably thinking, oh my, what is going on, has she cracked? Though your surprise is nothing compared to my own. I was girding my loins as I reached for this book just imagining how atrocious it might be... and perhaps it's the fact that my expectations were so low, I mean, lower then the gutter low, that I really enjoyed it. I mean, sure, there was a bit of a rough start when I realized that there were quite a few similarities to the previous book, what with an accidental death/suicide not being as it appears and the murderer escaping justice, yet again, but somehow I had already come to grips with my gripes.
Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery is actually the third book in Berkeley's series staring that "keen-witted if slightly volatile Roger." For some unknown reason the second book, The Wychford Poisoning Case, which is referenced in this volume, has disappeared into the ether of time... perhaps it was for the best if it was on par with The Layton Court Mystery. So why have I done a 180 on this series? Well, I'm going with my fickleness as a reader as my defense. The problem I had with the first volume was all the flaws of Roger that just needled me till I wanted to slap that man silly... with some sort of cudgel that would result in pain and death. So going into reading another book with Roger I was well aware of his flaws. I now view Roger as that one friend you have, and don't say you don't have one, I know you do; everyone has a friend that says just the wrong thing at the wrong time, never censors what they say, and in most cases is just downright rude. The kind of friend that needs a disclaimer attached. Yet over time, you get used to their offensiveness. Sure, you've tried to curb it, but in the end, you just live with it. So Roger has become my friend whose flaws I know, but I put up with anyway.
As for the innumerable flaws, the belittling of his "idiot friend," his desire to hold important conversations in the middle of nowhere, his ludicrous theories coupled with the fact he is invariably wrong and blind to the obvious; they somehow work in this volume. His "stupid friend" in this instance is his cousin Anthony. And for some reason I feel the bickering and belittling between relatives more natural and tolerable then between friends. Also, instead of an underlying feeling of anger, their repartee has the feel of the long time association between family that let Anthony give as good as he got. Plus, the addition of Inspector Moresby can not be overlooked. Here is someone who Roger views as his "equal" so that he actually treats the Inspector mildly ok. They have a kind of Japp/Poirot relationship where Roger doesn't belittle his cohort... too much. Also, I have a niggling little feeling that Roger might be Moresby's "idiot friend" and that just tickles me to death that Roger doesn't realize it. Therefore it's more cohorts in crime solving, then the Roger Sheringham offends everyone show. And as for his weird desire to hold conversations in out of the way locals? For some reason perching on a rock looking at the cliffs seems more natural, like they're taking in the sights, then obviously going to a bench in a garden to conspire. Also, I love that his theories about the "weaker sex" come back to haunt him.
Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery carried on the meta nature of the first book, with actual crime versus fictional crime in a crime novel, but by thankfully dropping the Holmes and Watson bit Berkeley used ad nauseum in The Layton Court Mystery. This meta nature was able to not only exploit the obvious plot twists that you could see coming a mile off, but was then able to give you a twist at the end that you didn't see coming. In fairness to Berkeley, he stayed true to his writerly code, and you could see the ending if you didn't view the case through Roger's eyes, and I found this a little bit brilliant. While the romantic reader in me would have preferred the interpretation of the facts as Roger and I saw them, I can't help but love that Moresby smacks Roger down and points out to the writer that there is the mentality of a police officer and the mentality of the writer. These two mentalities are at odds, and sometimes it's better to not have too much imagination.
November 1, 2021
Bom demais ser tapeada
October 8, 2023
3.5stars
August 31, 2024
Well to do 36 year old British gentleman sleuth and successful author Roger Sheringham is about to go off on holiday with his younger cousin Anthony when his newspaper editor calls. He is asked to go to small town on the coast Ludmouth where the recent accidental death of Mrs Vane may not be such because Scotland Yard Inspector Moresby is there asking questions.
Moresby and Sheringham know each other so establish a somewhat working relationship in what was probably a murder as they "share" information while trying to solve the murder before the other does. Cousin Anthony is more the Dr Watson in the story and ads some comic relief as he is completely smitten by a primary suspect and so doesn't tolerate any suggestion that she might be guilty.
The investigation is an example of the difference trying to keep things as simple as possible vs spinning elaborate explanations to develop a solution.
Moresby and Sheringham know each other so establish a somewhat working relationship in what was probably a murder as they "share" information while trying to solve the murder before the other does. Cousin Anthony is more the Dr Watson in the story and ads some comic relief as he is completely smitten by a primary suspect and so doesn't tolerate any suggestion that she might be guilty.
The investigation is an example of the difference trying to keep things as simple as possible vs spinning elaborate explanations to develop a solution.
January 5, 2021
What I like about Berkeley is that he’s always playing with the golden age detective story but also always playing it straight. Kind of like Christie did. This third Roger Sheringham is a return to form after what I think was a sophomore slump. The Vane Mystery doesn’t have an ingenious hook, a locked room, or a large cast of characters to suspect, but it’s straightforward murder mystery is buoyed by the “Tom and Jerry” back and forth between two rivals detectives, toffy detective story writer-cum-amateur detective, a la Ellery Queen, vs. Scotland Yard’s stalwart “unimaginative” tec. While that’s not uncommon at all the way Berkeley turns the tables is. Not on my re-read list, like The Poisoned Chocolates Case and Panic Party, but it’s a well-written, witty whodunnit with fun deductions and a good ending. Recommended.
December 29, 2021
The reporter and amateur sleuth Roger Sheringham is sent on an assignment to Ludmouth, where the body of Mrs Vane is found at the bottom of some cliffs. The presence of Scotland Yard's Inspector Moresby suggests that the verdict of accidental death may not be the end of the matter. Roger is non-ably assisted by his cousin Anthony, and makes several incorrect deductions, as Berkeley shows his flair for playing with multiple solutions. He also challenges the conventional amateur-and-pro relationship, with the inspector wryly remarking to Roger at one point, "You've been reading too many of those detective stories." Berkeley's wit is also on top form, and the whole mystery is very enjoyable. This was the hardest Sheringham mystery to get hold of at a reasonable price, but it was worth the effort. One of my favourite crime reads of the year.
May 28, 2023
I keep trying to like the Roger Sheringham mysteries and I keep finding them to be acceptable but nothing special. I think my beef is with Sheringham himself- he's self-assured, loquacious, and more than a bit of a jerk. The other characters aren't particularly endearing, either, so I just can't muster up the curiosity to understand why the crime occurred. The puzzle is sound, as is the detecting, but I put this down several times before I finally finished it. I know it's a personal problem, but I've spent so much time reading DL Sayers' work that I had trouble *not* imagining 'Mrs. Vane' as Harriet Vane's mother the whole time, which makes absolutely no sense, but was distracting nonetheless.
May 16, 2023
What A Great Mystery
This is the first book of Anthony Berkeley that I have read. I had never heard of him before but I have been reading more of the Golden Age mysteries over the last several years. I truly have to thank Amazon for bringing this author to my attention. I loved this book. It moved so quickly and wasn’t bogged down with anything not pertinent to the story. I loved the humor in it. I will admit that I felt reasonably sure who the murderer was fairly early in the book. I highly recommend this book and definitely will be reading more of his mysteries.
This is the first book of Anthony Berkeley that I have read. I had never heard of him before but I have been reading more of the Golden Age mysteries over the last several years. I truly have to thank Amazon for bringing this author to my attention. I loved this book. It moved so quickly and wasn’t bogged down with anything not pertinent to the story. I loved the humor in it. I will admit that I felt reasonably sure who the murderer was fairly early in the book. I highly recommend this book and definitely will be reading more of his mysteries.
July 6, 2024
Some don't like the attitude of the main characters, I just take them as a product of their time. Not much point in getting offended about the way something that is fictional was written back then.
I enjoyed the story for what it was and its many twists and turns. Enjoyed this author well enough to download another to my Kindle.
At this time these Golden Age Detective stories are being digitized and I obtained a Kindle copy for something like 99 cents, which is a bargain.
I enjoyed the story for what it was and its many twists and turns. Enjoyed this author well enough to download another to my Kindle.
At this time these Golden Age Detective stories are being digitized and I obtained a Kindle copy for something like 99 cents, which is a bargain.
June 2, 2017
A nice little whodunnit, somewhat spoiled by the unsatisfactory ending. The reason? “We could never get a conviction. ... It isn’t the first time this has happened, you know. There’s any number of people walking about today, free men and women, that we know to be murderers, but we can’t prove it to the satisfaction of a court.”
February 17, 2024
Amazing story
Roger is asked to cover a possible murder for a newspaper. He takes his cousin, Anthony, with him. A woman has died from a fall off a cliff. And from that fall, the author weaves a tale that is just plain great. The characters are a lot of fun. I love the Scotland Yard inspector. Roger's imagination works overtime. I loved it.
Roger is asked to cover a possible murder for a newspaper. He takes his cousin, Anthony, with him. A woman has died from a fall off a cliff. And from that fall, the author weaves a tale that is just plain great. The characters are a lot of fun. I love the Scotland Yard inspector. Roger's imagination works overtime. I loved it.
February 22, 2023
Loved it!
This has everything you want in a mystery...a complicated plot, lots of red herrings, and both complex and comic characters. This was my first Berkeley book and I loved it! I can't wait to read more by this clever author.
This has everything you want in a mystery...a complicated plot, lots of red herrings, and both complex and comic characters. This was my first Berkeley book and I loved it! I can't wait to read more by this clever author.
May 24, 2023
A Clever Story
A Clever story, but the main protagonist is difficult to like as he feels too conceited in his own cleverness to those around him to the point of nearly being insufferable.
A Clever story, but the main protagonist is difficult to like as he feels too conceited in his own cleverness to those around him to the point of nearly being insufferable.
December 30, 2023
Special Correspondent Roger Sheringham is sent by the Courier to Hampshire. It seems that the death of a Mrs Elsie Vane was not an accident, he takes his cousin, Anthony Walton with him. Inspector Moresby of Scotland Yard is investigating.
An entertaining historical mystery.
Originally published 1927
An entertaining historical mystery.
Originally published 1927
December 28, 2024
This is an intriguing mystery at the beginning, and the back & forth between Roger and his cousin seems a bit more believable than his comments to "friends", as most of us give a bit more leeway to family. However, even Roger's density surely wouldn't extend to this extent, would it?
May 1, 2022
It was a good read hopeful I can find some more of Anthony Berkeley books
April 30, 2023
A classic of its time, with an engaging if slightly full-of-himself protagonist.
July 17, 2023
Clever and entertaining. The hero sleuth is wrong at the end. Suspect keeps changing throughout.
October 24, 2012
I stumbled onto Anthony Berkeley's Roger Sheringham rather by chance when I bought Ask a Policeman, which I thought was the sole creation of a favorite mystery writer of mine, Gladys Mitchell. Instead, the novel was a collaboration amongst Mitchell and five other members of the legendary London-based Detection Club, including Berkeley, its founder. Roger Sheringham, witty bon vivant, crime reporter and amateur sleuth, was the highlight of the novel, and I couldn't wait to read more books featuring him.
I opted for Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery as my first foray into a Sheringham book, and I wasn't disappointed. The novel, the third in the series, finds Roger Sheringham making his status as "special correspondent" with the Daily Courier official. With his noble but dim-witted younger cousin, Anthony Walton, in tow, Sheringham heads out to the sleepy Hampshire village of Ludmouth (a seaside backwater so out of the way that it has but one pub, no hotel, and only five rooms to let at said pub) to investigate the probable murder of Elsie Vane, who plunged to her death off the seaside cliffs. Chief Inspector Moresby has ruled out accident and finds suicide unlikely. Suspicion falls on Mrs. Vane's 21-year-old cousin, Margaret Cross, who had been out on a walk with Mrs. Vane. The girl claims that Mrs. Vane asked her to wait so that she could continue toward the village, see a friend and then return for Margaret. Needless to say, Mrs. Vane never got to her destination nor did she return for her cousin.
Shortly before her death, Mrs. Vane had changed her will to leave £10,000 to cousin Margaret Cross. That makes Margaret suspect No. 1 in the police's eyes. Anthony falls in love with the pretty, dark-haired, sloe-eyed Margaret at first sight and wants Roger to prove her innocence. Ah, what's devoted cousin Roger to do when Anthony comes a-begging?
Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery proves to have more twists, suspense, and surprises -- many more than the usual British cozies. Perhaps that's because Berkeley is the author of two pretty dark noir novels. You'll really enjoy the startling ending.
Unlike Dame Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple, Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey, Ngaio Marsh's Roderick Alleyn, or Mitchell's own Mrs. Adela Lestrange Bradley, Roger Sheringham has, unfortunately, been nearly forgotten. Several of the books are long out of print, which is a terrible shame. Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery was lively, clever, and pointedly funny, while the flawed Sheringham proves to be clever and incredibly entertaining. His sly humor reminds me of that of Mrs. Bradley, another favorite of mine. Here's to hoping that Roger Sheringham will have a revival.
At $1.99, the Kindle edition of Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery provides a nearly free opportunity to sample the irreverent Roger Sheringham for yourself. Don't miss it.
I opted for Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery as my first foray into a Sheringham book, and I wasn't disappointed. The novel, the third in the series, finds Roger Sheringham making his status as "special correspondent" with the Daily Courier official. With his noble but dim-witted younger cousin, Anthony Walton, in tow, Sheringham heads out to the sleepy Hampshire village of Ludmouth (a seaside backwater so out of the way that it has but one pub, no hotel, and only five rooms to let at said pub) to investigate the probable murder of Elsie Vane, who plunged to her death off the seaside cliffs. Chief Inspector Moresby has ruled out accident and finds suicide unlikely. Suspicion falls on Mrs. Vane's 21-year-old cousin, Margaret Cross, who had been out on a walk with Mrs. Vane. The girl claims that Mrs. Vane asked her to wait so that she could continue toward the village, see a friend and then return for Margaret. Needless to say, Mrs. Vane never got to her destination nor did she return for her cousin.
Shortly before her death, Mrs. Vane had changed her will to leave £10,000 to cousin Margaret Cross. That makes Margaret suspect No. 1 in the police's eyes. Anthony falls in love with the pretty, dark-haired, sloe-eyed Margaret at first sight and wants Roger to prove her innocence. Ah, what's devoted cousin Roger to do when Anthony comes a-begging?
Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery proves to have more twists, suspense, and surprises -- many more than the usual British cozies. Perhaps that's because Berkeley is the author of two pretty dark noir novels. You'll really enjoy the startling ending.
Unlike Dame Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple, Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey, Ngaio Marsh's Roderick Alleyn, or Mitchell's own Mrs. Adela Lestrange Bradley, Roger Sheringham has, unfortunately, been nearly forgotten. Several of the books are long out of print, which is a terrible shame. Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery was lively, clever, and pointedly funny, while the flawed Sheringham proves to be clever and incredibly entertaining. His sly humor reminds me of that of Mrs. Bradley, another favorite of mine. Here's to hoping that Roger Sheringham will have a revival.
At $1.99, the Kindle edition of Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery provides a nearly free opportunity to sample the irreverent Roger Sheringham for yourself. Don't miss it.
July 10, 2023
As is often the case with ABC, you know you are not reading a traditional mystery and should always prepare for your expectations to be subverted. The solution could be profound, groundbreaking, or absurd, and even encompass all of these things and more, but one thing it is not is boring. The problem with discussing this story in a spoiler-free manner is that it is impossible, so my review will be very limited.
It begins when Sheringham, on the eve of a holiday with his cousin Anthony Walton, a charming and loving character quite in contrast to Roger himself, whose ability to be pompous and grandiose is heightened to the nth degree in this story (strange for a detective who is not always right). Their trip is interrupted to Roger's immense satisfaction when the editor of the newspaper where he works as a special crime reporter asks him to investigate a fatal fall that was previously considered an accident.
Then, Roger and his cousin promptly change their vacation location to the village of the crime scene. There they find out that his old friend, Inspector Moresby, is also conducting the investigation in a clandestine manner. The two friends differ, as the Inspector is pretty smug and confident that the victim's cousin is the guilty party, as numerous clues point towards her and she is the one who benefits the most. However, Roger vehemently disagrees, primarily on the grounds that murder cases are not so open and shut. From there, a game of smoke and mirrors ensues between the two, with each carrying out their own rival investigations. Additionally, the suspect forms a romantic entanglement with Anthony, giving Roger further motive to prove her innocence. The end of this fast-paced and tangled web of a mystery leaves at least one party with pie on its face and some serious soul-searching to do, while also providing the audience with a lesson on humility over pride and folly.
Though the ending may not be everybody's cup of tea, I thoroughly enjoyed it and believe it to be the first novel to employ this trope. The mere mention of it would spoil the book, but it is, in a way, quite revolutionary for the genre.
January 8, 2015
Kindle Daily Deal months ago |
An infuriating and purposely-idiotic pompous main character and blindingly obvious murderer made for a dull read on my second attempt (the first time I didn't get through the first chapter). |
During a certain period of British fiction writing, it is fairly common for a middle class character to say of another young man of their own sphere of life that he is "the usual sort of ass" or "a likeable young ass" or "an anointed ass" or similar. Here's the thing: I loathe those young men. I don't ever find anything redeeming about them, I don't hope for good things to happen to them, I generally find them completely useless (not even ornamental), and I cannot even look upon them indulgently. To therefore be stuck with Roger and Anthony through this book, two of the worst asses of that sort possible, was not pleasant. Adding to the fact that they were completely clueless, when the murderer was obvious from the moment of being introduced to the scene, made the narrative alternately boring and frustrating. I mostly only finished the book because I was afraid that Roger would steal the glory from the Inspector, and was hoping to prove that concern unjustified.
This is all especially unfortunate as the author is a good writer, with interesting characters and the usual rhythm of mysteries of the Golden Age that meant a satisfying speed of action and resolution.
An infuriating and purposely-idiotic pompous main character and blindingly obvious murderer made for a dull read on my second attempt (the first time I didn't get through the first chapter). |
During a certain period of British fiction writing, it is fairly common for a middle class character to say of another young man of their own sphere of life that he is "the usual sort of ass" or "a likeable young ass" or "an anointed ass" or similar. Here's the thing: I loathe those young men. I don't ever find anything redeeming about them, I don't hope for good things to happen to them, I generally find them completely useless (not even ornamental), and I cannot even look upon them indulgently. To therefore be stuck with Roger and Anthony through this book, two of the worst asses of that sort possible, was not pleasant. Adding to the fact that they were completely clueless, when the murderer was obvious from the moment of being introduced to the scene, made the narrative alternately boring and frustrating. I mostly only finished the book because I was afraid that Roger would steal the glory from the Inspector, and was hoping to prove that concern unjustified.
This is all especially unfortunate as the author is a good writer, with interesting characters and the usual rhythm of mysteries of the Golden Age that meant a satisfying speed of action and resolution.
July 28, 2024
La robusta padrona di casa che starnazza sul pianerottolo come una gigantesca gallina; il maggiordomo corpulento con l’aria di un pesce, una specie di delfino monumentale; un reverendo dal viso caprino, un volto che ricorda il muso di una capra benigna; un oste che sembra una montagna con una facciata bovina di stolida imperturbabilità.
Una giovane donna dall’animo immensamente nobile, un ispettore irritante ma stranamente intelligente e dotato del senso dell’umorismo, un investigatore dilettante ironicamente superbo e saccente, una spalla resa ottusa dall’infatuazione romantica.
Terzo romanzo, terzo trucco. Ma stavolta darò un indizio: immaginazione vs prove.
“Sa qual’ è il suo problema? Lei legge troppi romanzi gialli.”
Una giovane donna dall’animo immensamente nobile, un ispettore irritante ma stranamente intelligente e dotato del senso dell’umorismo, un investigatore dilettante ironicamente superbo e saccente, una spalla resa ottusa dall’infatuazione romantica.
Terzo romanzo, terzo trucco. Ma stavolta darò un indizio: immaginazione vs prove.
“Sa qual’ è il suo problema? Lei legge troppi romanzi gialli.”
July 23, 2014
3.5 stars. Amusing, with an refreshing twist on the usual amateur sleuth character.
January 21, 2026
For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.com/2025/...
https://crossexaminingcrime.com/2025/...
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews