THE CORPSE WITH THE GRIMY GLOVE

by R.A.J. Walling

Called to Lanivet Castle because of a bizarre situation developing there, Philip Tolefree finds a shooting party in full swing. Among the hunters is Arthur Tenterton, a crooked financier hated by the host, Sir James Lanivet, and all the other guests. Tolefree is asked to protect Sir James from Tenterton, but soon suspects it is the financier who really needs protection.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1938

About the author

Robert Alfred John Walling (11 January 1869, Exeter – 4 September 1949 Plympton) was an English journalist and author of detective novels, who signed his works "R. A. J. Walling".

See also Robert Alfred John Walling.

Reviews

[Bev]

This is the 15th entry in the Philip Tolefree series, but it's my first introduction to Walling's insurance agent cum private detective. Tolefree is an intelligent, upper-class investigator who knows how to be discreet. His adventures are told by his "Watson" James Farrar. Farrar is the one who gets Tolefree involved in the current mystery. His old acquaintance Arthur Treglohan invites them to Bosenna, a small seaside town, which lives in the shadow of Lanivet Castle and Sir James Lanivet. Treglohan is the parson of Bosenna rectory and is acting at the behest of Lanivet's sister, who fears that her brother is caught up in some murky doings.

He asks Farrar to bring along his friend "with some skill in puzzling out mysteries" in the hopes that Tolefree will be able to discern what hold an unsavory financier by the name of Tenterton has over Sir James. Miss Lanivet can think of no good reason why her brother would invite such a man to a shooting party with their own friends--especially when it is obvious that everyone in the party has reason to hate Tenterton. She wants Tolefree to protect her brother, but it soon becomes obvious that Tenterton is the one who is afraid. With good reason...

Tragedy strikes during a fireworks display on the Lanivet estate. Tenterton is found bound and gagged, with bruises around his neck, wearing one oil-smeared white glove and a bullet hole in the middle of his forehead. Everyone was milling about the place all evening and no one can say where anyone else was for sure. Tolefree knows that the servants and friends and even the townspeople all have deep loyalty to the Lanivet family and won't say anything that might implicate someone up at the castle. He also knows that there is much to be explained before the truth will be found. Such as...who are the three young men in sailing vessel off the coast and why do they take stealthy skiff voyages up the waterway leading to the castle? Why hasn't Lanivet said anything about the shot that nearly hit him in the woods? Why did it take so long for the footman John to report seeing Tenterton's body on the tennis court? What was the round object that Tolefree found in the dust near where the financier had been shot? And what is the previous case that this one reminds Tolefree of so much?

I do enjoy Walling's style and story-telling. And I really like Tolefree and Farrar and their interactions with each other and the cast of characters. The plot is intricate and interesting, but I don't think Walling plays fair. Tolefree takes a leaf out of Holmes's book--keeping clues to himself. Until he springs his deductions on us, there really isn't any way for the reader to know what the motive is. I identified the culprit...but I couldn't have given you solid reasons why simple because Tolefree is holding many of the reasons/clues so close to his chest. Entertaining. And I am looking forward to the four other Walling titles sitting on Mount TBR. ★★★ and 1/2 (on the low-side, so rounded down)

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.

[Lisa Kucharski]

What an interesting mystery. The copy I read is library copy, most likely a first edition or first for USA. Tolfree who is an insurance agent/private investigator is asked to come and help prevent anything bad from happening from a man's sister in a location known as Bosenna. From what she describes, it sounds like a blackmail situation, but upon arrival- it becomes something quite different.

The uptick is that the one person to be watched has a reputation in London and Tolfree and many already know of it. But like many people, even he has a past. Also the location that (that I assume stands for another) is a paradise and Tolefree is effusive in his love for the place. (Which is a lot from a man who tends to keep his opinions to himself.). Also many of the people at the home of the murder also know of Tolefree's reputation as an extremely sharp man.

In this story Tolefree has a friend with him and he is of great use in this story (also he is the narrator.). There is a murder and there are multiple layers that need to be pealed back to understand all the circumstances that created the various events. A really interesting story; quiet enjoyable. I have read one other story by Walling and also enjoyed it. Will be seeking out others by him. His books can be hard to find; but there are some more affordable Kindle versions out there.


Will be reading more when I get them.