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Sir John Appleby #32
Sheiks And Adders (Inspector Appleby) by Michael Innes
When half of the guests at a charity masquerade fete at Drool Court turn up dressed as sheiks, it must be more than pure coincidence. One of them is the real thing, however, and Sir John Appleby, master detective, discovers that he is in grave danger. When one of the pseudo-sheiks is murdered, Appleby finds himself in the midst of an international political crisis.
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
80 people want to read
About the author
Michael Innes
123 books88 followersMichael Innes was the pseudonym of John Innes MacKintosh (J.I.M.) Stewart (J.I.M. Stewart).
He was born in Edinburgh, and educated at Edinburgh Academy and Oriel College, Oxford. He was Lecturer in English at the University of Leeds from 1930 - 1935, and spent the succeeding ten years as Jury Professor of English at the University of Adelaide, South Australia.
He returned to the United Kingdom in 1949, to become a Lecturer at the Queen's University of Belfast. In 1949 he became a Student (Fellow) of Christ Church, Oxford, becoming a Professor by the time of his retirement in 1973.
As J.I.M. Stewart he published a number of works of non-fiction, mainly critical studies of authors, including Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling, as well as about twenty works of fiction and a memoir, 'Myself and Michael Innes'.
As Michael Innes, he published numerous mystery novels and short story collections, most featuring the Scotland Yard detective John Appleby.
He was born in Edinburgh, and educated at Edinburgh Academy and Oriel College, Oxford. He was Lecturer in English at the University of Leeds from 1930 - 1935, and spent the succeeding ten years as Jury Professor of English at the University of Adelaide, South Australia.
He returned to the United Kingdom in 1949, to become a Lecturer at the Queen's University of Belfast. In 1949 he became a Student (Fellow) of Christ Church, Oxford, becoming a Professor by the time of his retirement in 1973.
As J.I.M. Stewart he published a number of works of non-fiction, mainly critical studies of authors, including Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling, as well as about twenty works of fiction and a memoir, 'Myself and Michael Innes'.
As Michael Innes, he published numerous mystery novels and short story collections, most featuring the Scotland Yard detective John Appleby.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 21, 2020
A chance meeting persuades Sir John Appleby to attend the charity fete at Drool Court, where the nouveau riche Chitfield family. There's a very small mystery attached to the invitation--why does the father of young Cherry Chitfield forbid her boyfriend to attend dressed as an Arab sheik? Appleby (dressed as Robin Hood), runs into the chief constable of the county (also dressed as Robin Hood) and learns that the powers that be in London expect some unspecified form of trouble. And Appleby can't help but notice that a large number of people are dressed like sheiks, including one who looks curiously realistic. While the plot is amusing, there's really no resolution to the eventual murder, which is disappointing, to say the least.
June 24, 2021
At 180 pages and with many hilarious comments to amuse us, this is a quick read. Eccentric characters, detailed descriptions (landscape, village life), and amusing hi-jinks at a village fundraising fete. A wealthy businessman tries to conduct a deal with an important Arab Sheik who is the target of assassins. Fun costumes at the masquerade/fete, Druids, hot air balloon! Definitely a great read and would make a great movie. Also some interesting and astute political commentary (see p. 90 for instance).
Nifty Tim Gaydos jacket design
Nifty Tim Gaydos jacket design
February 19, 2018
A country house fancy dress fete where a Sheik is in danger. But so many guests are dressed as Sheiks! Only Sir John Appleby, late of the Met, can get to the bottom of things and save the day.
A standard, erudite, late Michael Innes whimsy. Not as brilliant as his early books, but still great fun.
A standard, erudite, late Michael Innes whimsy. Not as brilliant as his early books, but still great fun.
October 31, 2017
Pretty much a tour de force, but more fun to read than a three-star rating would suggest. Still, I found this volume (if one can call such a slim novel a volume) on a free book table for items which had not been purchased at the annual book sale of the Castine, Maine, library. And while I enjoyed reading this, I can also see why no one bought it.
The plot is both slight and silly, but silly still brings a reader some fun. This is almost a satire on the 20th Century British upper crust mystery. (Well, more of a caper than a mystery, I suppose). The story takes place at a ludicrously over the top fete on the estate of some stereotypical nouveau riche folks. The estate is amusingly entitled "Drool Court."
Along the way you get costumes, Druids (questionably), a passel of sheiks (mostly fake), hit men, a hot air balloon with a drunken pilot, and more.
The writing is witty, more chuckle-inducing than laugh-out-loud funny. It is also both erudite (a fair number of words unfamiliar to me) and earthy (more British slang than I have mastered).
I guess I would not recommend spending money on this, but if you find it, say, on the shelf of a rented flat, it's a good bet to curl up with for a bit.
The plot is both slight and silly, but silly still brings a reader some fun. This is almost a satire on the 20th Century British upper crust mystery. (Well, more of a caper than a mystery, I suppose). The story takes place at a ludicrously over the top fete on the estate of some stereotypical nouveau riche folks. The estate is amusingly entitled "Drool Court."
Along the way you get costumes, Druids (questionably), a passel of sheiks (mostly fake), hit men, a hot air balloon with a drunken pilot, and more.
The writing is witty, more chuckle-inducing than laugh-out-loud funny. It is also both erudite (a fair number of words unfamiliar to me) and earthy (more British slang than I have mastered).
I guess I would not recommend spending money on this, but if you find it, say, on the shelf of a rented flat, it's a good bet to curl up with for a bit.
April 28, 2021
Far from his best, this is an attempt at frothy & farcical, rather than a who Dunnet. The froth went flat, but elements of farce remain.
Appleby is retired and bored. He stumbles over a minor mystery- why has the business tycoon put his foot down over the daughter's boyfriend dressing up as a sheik at his charity féte and masquerade? He dresses up as Robin Hood, buys a ticket and finds himself embroiled in a confusion of druids, sheiks, snakes, a squadron of disgruntled young lads who are a Brit version of our RoTC I think, politjcal entrigue and an assassination attempt.
Two minor mysteries are solved, one of them considerably amusingly, but the political situation and murder of a side character are apparently of no real interest to Appleby, or Innes.
Still, in spite of the somewhat flat and disappointing ending, it is always fun to play spot the quotation in an Appleby mystery, and we do get a few moments with the delightful Lady Appleby.
Appleby is retired and bored. He stumbles over a minor mystery- why has the business tycoon put his foot down over the daughter's boyfriend dressing up as a sheik at his charity féte and masquerade? He dresses up as Robin Hood, buys a ticket and finds himself embroiled in a confusion of druids, sheiks, snakes, a squadron of disgruntled young lads who are a Brit version of our RoTC I think, politjcal entrigue and an assassination attempt.
Two minor mysteries are solved, one of them considerably amusingly, but the political situation and murder of a side character are apparently of no real interest to Appleby, or Innes.
Still, in spite of the somewhat flat and disappointing ending, it is always fun to play spot the quotation in an Appleby mystery, and we do get a few moments with the delightful Lady Appleby.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2023
This was a quick, fun read. A well-written, slightly satirical, country house, fancy-dress party. There's no room for padding & ,despite its size, I still got to know the characters rapidly from the action & dialogue. I haven't read the previous 38 books in this series but I feel like I know Sir John & Lady Judith Appleby even after such a short time. It does end abruptly, & we don't find out exactly who did the dirty work, but I don't feel like I missed much. I'd like to try some of the early books in the series.
December 18, 2012
Originally published on my blog here in August 2001.
As with An Awkward Lie, it seems likely that the story of this lighthearted Appleby novel was suggested by the pun in the title. In the novel, Appleby attends a large fancy dress ball, intrigued by suggestions that the host has been acting strangely. Why is this eminent financier against his prospective son in law attending as an Arab sheikh, while at the same time encouraging some of his colleagues to do so?
The answer to this question is the main plotline of the novel, the adders being something of an afterthought (provided by a herpetologist collecting specimens in the local woods).
Sheiks and Adders is much more a humorous thriller than a detective story. It is enjoyable, in places very funny, and harmless fun.
As with An Awkward Lie, it seems likely that the story of this lighthearted Appleby novel was suggested by the pun in the title. In the novel, Appleby attends a large fancy dress ball, intrigued by suggestions that the host has been acting strangely. Why is this eminent financier against his prospective son in law attending as an Arab sheikh, while at the same time encouraging some of his colleagues to do so?
The answer to this question is the main plotline of the novel, the adders being something of an afterthought (provided by a herpetologist collecting specimens in the local woods).
Sheiks and Adders is much more a humorous thriller than a detective story. It is enjoyable, in places very funny, and harmless fun.
January 11, 2022
Perhaps a little less entertaining the second time around, and I definitely noticed the racist attitudes of some characters, but still great fun.
February 2, 2010
A bit perfunctory but pleasantly dry. And the 70s British assumptions are the most interesting part.
March 24, 2011
Erudite, and entertaining. wonderful use of language and sympathetic characters. Very British!
October 27, 2016
Not my favourite Appleby this - very slight. The very confident young people in it are fun though.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews