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Jennings #2
Jennings Follows A Clue
Fossilized fish-hooks! ‘We must have a headquarters, where we can meet and work out clues and things. We might even put up a notice so that chaps will know where to come when they want mysteries solved. Something like Linbury Court Detective Agency – Chief Investigator, J C T Jennings?’ When Jennings is inspired to take up a career as a detective, with faithful Darbishire as his assistant, trouble is bound to be just around the corner. Their first mission – to recover a ‘stolen’ sports cup, is the first of several bungled attempts to imitate super sleuth Sherlock Holmes. Frightful bish! But the detective duo face their most perilous adventure yet when they make a nocturnal visit to the sanatorium and discover that they are not alone. An intruder is at large, but a missing coat button is Jennings’ only clue. Crystallised cheesecakes!
226 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1951
2 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Buckeridge
110 books45 followersAnthony Malcolm Buckeridge was born in London but following the death of his banker father in the First World War he moved with his mother to Ross-on-Wye to live with his grandparents.
At the end of the war they returned to London where he developed a taste for theatre and writing. A scholarship from the Bank Clerks' Orphanage fund permitted his mother to send him to Seaford College boarding school in Sussex. His experiences as a schoolboy there were instrumental in his later work, particularly in his famous Jennings series of novels.
Following the death of his grandfather, the family moved to Welwyn Garden City where his mother worked in promoting the new suburban utopia to Londoners. In 1930 Buckeridge began work at his late father's bank but soon tired of it. Instead he took to acting including an uncredited part in Anthony Asquith's 1931 film 'Tell England'.
After marrying his first wife, Sylvia Brown, he enrolled at University College London where he involved himself in Socialist and anti-war groups and he was later to become an active member of CND. Unfortunately at university he did not take a degree after failing Latin.
By then the couple had two children and, with a young family to support, he found himself teaching in Suffolk and Northamptonshire, which again provided further experiences for his later work. During the Second World War, he was called up as a fireman and wrote several plays for the stage before returning to teaching in Ramsgate.
He used to tell his pupils stories about the fictional character Jennings, who was based on an old school chum of his, Diarmid Jennings. Diarmid was a prep schoolboy boarding at Linbury Court Preparatory School, where the headmaster was Mr Pemberton-Oakes.
After World War II, he wrote a series of radio plays for the BBC's Children's Hour chronicling the exploits of Jennings and his rather more staid friend, Darbishire. 'Jennings Learns the Ropes', the first of his radio plays, was broadcast on 16 October 1948. And then in 1950, the first of 26 Jennings novels, 'Jennings Goes to School' was published.
'Jennings Follows a Clue' appeared in 1951 and then Jennings novels were published regularly through to 1977 before he reappeared in the 1990s with three books that ended with 'That's Jennings' in 1994. The books were as well known and as popular as Frank Richards' Billy Bunter books in their day and were translated into a number of other languages.
The stories of middle class English schoolboys were especially popular in Norway where several were filmed. The Norwegian books and films were rewritten completely for a Norwegian setting with Norwegian names and Jennings is called "Stompa". And in France Jennings was, rather oddly, known as Bennett!
He also wrote five novels featuring a north London Grammar School boy, Rex Milligan, one other novel, 'A Funny Thing Happened: The First [and only] Adventure of the Blighs' (1953), wrote a collection of short stories, 'Stories for Boys' (1957), his autobiography, 'While I Remember' (1999) and edited an anthology, 'In and Out of School' (1958).
In 1962 he met his second wife, Eileen Selby. They settled near Lewes where he continued to write and from where he also appeared in small (non-singing) roles at Glyndebourne.
He was awarded the OBE in 2003.
He died on 28 June 2004 after a spell of ill health with his second wife Eileen and three children, two from his first marriage, surviving him.
Gerry Wolstenholme
September 2010
At the end of the war they returned to London where he developed a taste for theatre and writing. A scholarship from the Bank Clerks' Orphanage fund permitted his mother to send him to Seaford College boarding school in Sussex. His experiences as a schoolboy there were instrumental in his later work, particularly in his famous Jennings series of novels.
Following the death of his grandfather, the family moved to Welwyn Garden City where his mother worked in promoting the new suburban utopia to Londoners. In 1930 Buckeridge began work at his late father's bank but soon tired of it. Instead he took to acting including an uncredited part in Anthony Asquith's 1931 film 'Tell England'.
After marrying his first wife, Sylvia Brown, he enrolled at University College London where he involved himself in Socialist and anti-war groups and he was later to become an active member of CND. Unfortunately at university he did not take a degree after failing Latin.
By then the couple had two children and, with a young family to support, he found himself teaching in Suffolk and Northamptonshire, which again provided further experiences for his later work. During the Second World War, he was called up as a fireman and wrote several plays for the stage before returning to teaching in Ramsgate.
He used to tell his pupils stories about the fictional character Jennings, who was based on an old school chum of his, Diarmid Jennings. Diarmid was a prep schoolboy boarding at Linbury Court Preparatory School, where the headmaster was Mr Pemberton-Oakes.
After World War II, he wrote a series of radio plays for the BBC's Children's Hour chronicling the exploits of Jennings and his rather more staid friend, Darbishire. 'Jennings Learns the Ropes', the first of his radio plays, was broadcast on 16 October 1948. And then in 1950, the first of 26 Jennings novels, 'Jennings Goes to School' was published.
'Jennings Follows a Clue' appeared in 1951 and then Jennings novels were published regularly through to 1977 before he reappeared in the 1990s with three books that ended with 'That's Jennings' in 1994. The books were as well known and as popular as Frank Richards' Billy Bunter books in their day and were translated into a number of other languages.
The stories of middle class English schoolboys were especially popular in Norway where several were filmed. The Norwegian books and films were rewritten completely for a Norwegian setting with Norwegian names and Jennings is called "Stompa". And in France Jennings was, rather oddly, known as Bennett!
He also wrote five novels featuring a north London Grammar School boy, Rex Milligan, one other novel, 'A Funny Thing Happened: The First [and only] Adventure of the Blighs' (1953), wrote a collection of short stories, 'Stories for Boys' (1957), his autobiography, 'While I Remember' (1999) and edited an anthology, 'In and Out of School' (1958).
In 1962 he met his second wife, Eileen Selby. They settled near Lewes where he continued to write and from where he also appeared in small (non-singing) roles at Glyndebourne.
He was awarded the OBE in 2003.
He died on 28 June 2004 after a spell of ill health with his second wife Eileen and three children, two from his first marriage, surviving him.
Gerry Wolstenholme
September 2010
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 9, 2018
Good ole Jennings and Darbi.
It feels wonderful to read the feats of the Linbury Court Detective Agency after searching for this so long.
All roads seem to lead to Sherlock Holmes these days from Dr. House, Lucy Liu and now Jennings.
It feels wonderful to read the feats of the Linbury Court Detective Agency after searching for this so long.
All roads seem to lead to Sherlock Holmes these days from Dr. House, Lucy Liu and now Jennings.
September 1, 2020
Mr Carter's reading of a Sherlock Holmes story to Jennings inspires him to turn detective and bemuses Darbishire.
Jennings: You know my methods.
Darbishire: No, what are they?
Priceless.
Jennings: You know my methods.
Darbishire: No, what are they?
Priceless.
April 19, 2025
Supersonic wizard writing. Anthony Buckeridge on top form here.
August 30, 2014
This is a decent Jennings book, although it is not as episodic as later entries and relies a bit too heavily on building up to a dramatic denouement; the series has yet to find its feet.
Highlight: Jennings "rescues" the "stolen" sports cup from the engraver.
Highlight: Jennings "rescues" the "stolen" sports cup from the engraver.
August 25, 2017
Pure fun. Lovely to revisit Linbury Court after 45 years or so. I have a tiny crush on Mr Carter.
August 12, 2022
It's been a long time since the last time I read Jennings, and no doubt it would be hard for the older me to accept this style of writing.
I remember Jennings as a boy who like to make 'trouble' with his buddy, Darbishire, who often quoted "my father says...". And in this story, Jennings and Darbi made a detective agency after listening to Mr Carter's story about Sherlock Holmes. The first case was a bish, but the second one is the first real mission the agency would try to solve. And the detection story was entwined with a business of cine camera buying.
In reading this book, I had to remind myself that this is a children book. I shouldn't expect for any twist, thrilling occurrence, or a good train of thoughts. After making a peace with the style and the plot, I could finally see the story from a different perspective and I quite enjoyed it. Even Darbi's naivete and how he often misunderstood complex sentences spoken by Jennings. The sport day event was also pleasant.
There were many scenes that made me smile. I like the salesman, Mr Russell. And though the Headmaster was a strict man, I like him for buying a cine camera with a thought of perpetuating the events held in Linbury Court.
I remember Jennings as a boy who like to make 'trouble' with his buddy, Darbishire, who often quoted "my father says...". And in this story, Jennings and Darbi made a detective agency after listening to Mr Carter's story about Sherlock Holmes. The first case was a bish, but the second one is the first real mission the agency would try to solve. And the detection story was entwined with a business of cine camera buying.
In reading this book, I had to remind myself that this is a children book. I shouldn't expect for any twist, thrilling occurrence, or a good train of thoughts. After making a peace with the style and the plot, I could finally see the story from a different perspective and I quite enjoyed it. Even Darbi's naivete and how he often misunderstood complex sentences spoken by Jennings. The sport day event was also pleasant.
There were many scenes that made me smile. I like the salesman, Mr Russell. And though the Headmaster was a strict man, I like him for buying a cine camera with a thought of perpetuating the events held in Linbury Court.
September 23, 2017
I read the 4th Jennings book first because that's the one I happened to have. Then I started back at the beginning. It would have been good to have read #1 first if I'd had it because it's a very good introduction to the series. This book, #2 in the series is set up differently, less separate adventures and more a flowing story.
Mr. Carter reads Jennings and Darbishire a Sherlock Holmes story and Jennings is inspired to start his own detective agency with Darbishire as his sometimes reluctant Watson. Chaos follows.
Although the Jennings books were apparently intended and have been, at least in the dark ages, enjoyed by children about 9 to 12, I don't see why adults can't enjoy them as well. British school children must have good vocabularies (page 146 puerile). There is so much depth to Mr. Carter that I thought that a good spin-off could be written with him as the main character. I'd love to know what he does during his time off.
Mr. Carter reads Jennings and Darbishire a Sherlock Holmes story and Jennings is inspired to start his own detective agency with Darbishire as his sometimes reluctant Watson. Chaos follows.
Although the Jennings books were apparently intended and have been, at least in the dark ages, enjoyed by children about 9 to 12, I don't see why adults can't enjoy them as well. British school children must have good vocabularies (page 146 puerile). There is so much depth to Mr. Carter that I thought that a good spin-off could be written with him as the main character. I'd love to know what he does during his time off.
March 27, 2020
Like Bertie Wooster and his ilk, too much Jennings can pall, but I find it a recurring delight to return to Anthony Buckeridge’s sunlit world in which schoolboy fantasy and good nature can get away with quite a lot.
‘Follows a Clue’ is the second Jennings novel, I think, and concerns Jennings and Darbishire setting up the Linbury Court Detective Agency after Mr Carter reads them a Sherlock Holmes story. It’s very neatly put together involving three strands of story – Sports Day, a ciné camera, and a theft. Gruff Mr Wilkins is able to use his rugby skills, Mr Pemberton-Oakes gets excited by technology, and Old Nightie’s routine is broken for the first time ever with disastrous consequences. There’s a nice running theme of school films.
I was a prep school boy. Jennings’ world is largely hyperreal, but it is based on enough reality for sentiment and nostalgia to enjoy themselves and allow that which is fantastic to assume the cape of feasibility.
‘Follows a Clue’ is the second Jennings novel, I think, and concerns Jennings and Darbishire setting up the Linbury Court Detective Agency after Mr Carter reads them a Sherlock Holmes story. It’s very neatly put together involving three strands of story – Sports Day, a ciné camera, and a theft. Gruff Mr Wilkins is able to use his rugby skills, Mr Pemberton-Oakes gets excited by technology, and Old Nightie’s routine is broken for the first time ever with disastrous consequences. There’s a nice running theme of school films.
I was a prep school boy. Jennings’ world is largely hyperreal, but it is based on enough reality for sentiment and nostalgia to enjoy themselves and allow that which is fantastic to assume the cape of feasibility.
August 14, 2024
I used to read the Jennings and Darbishire books when I was a little lad back in the early 1970s. I was delighted to get hold of a copy of Jennings Follows a Clue but opened it with trepidation. So many of these old books have not stood the test of time and are let down by 1950s anachronisms and attitudes that we don't approve of any more. Would Jennings be the same?
No! It has survived the passage of years and I polished it off in the space of an afternoon. I remember this story and specific scenes really clearly, despite the passage of nearly half a century. The story is innocent and charming and the characters are fun. Even the prep school language 'ozard oik', 'supersonic', 'spinning' fails to annoy. I'm really glad I found this and invested some time in a lovely trip down Memory Lane.
No! It has survived the passage of years and I polished it off in the space of an afternoon. I remember this story and specific scenes really clearly, despite the passage of nearly half a century. The story is innocent and charming and the characters are fun. Even the prep school language 'ozard oik', 'supersonic', 'spinning' fails to annoy. I'm really glad I found this and invested some time in a lovely trip down Memory Lane.
February 23, 2023
In book 2 of the series, Jennings gets impressed by a Sherlock Holmes story and decides that he, too, will be a great detective, with the assistance of his hapless sidekick Darbishire. The plot, although still a bit episodic, is more cohesive than the first book, since it's all organized around this idea.
I found it as good as the first book. I'm not much for laughing aloud when reading, but I was chuckling several times with this book. There's something really appealing about Jennings' eager, well-intentioned attitude and fancies of imagination, and the chaos he causes is always entertaining. Darbishire is great too, struggling to keep up with his adventurous friend and always ready to quote a piece of wisdom from his father.
Delightlfull read.
I found it as good as the first book. I'm not much for laughing aloud when reading, but I was chuckling several times with this book. There's something really appealing about Jennings' eager, well-intentioned attitude and fancies of imagination, and the chaos he causes is always entertaining. Darbishire is great too, struggling to keep up with his adventurous friend and always ready to quote a piece of wisdom from his father.
Delightlfull read.
June 15, 2018
The fact that I've only recently read through the entire series of the original Jennings radio plays meant that the plots of some of the chapters in this book were rather too familiar to me, which detracted from the enjoyment of the book to a degree. But it was interesting to notice some of the differences between the original plays and these written versions, and to see how Buckeridge managed to weave the plots of individual plays into one cohesive story. I have read it before, and I think that even if I hadn't I might have still found it rather predictable, but it's still quite satisfying for all that, though for me it's not one of the most outstanding of the Jennings books.
October 28, 2020
This was a comfort read, and a very enjoyable one. It is a classic lighthearted school story that includes a bit of whodunnit/crime mystery as well as the usual sport, humour, slang/jargon tropes that most readers would expect.
There is nothing special here necessarily, but there is a warmth and an acknowledgement that the teaching staff have genuine care and concern for their young charges; and there were several chunks of dialogue that had me laughing out loud, making the over-all impact very pleasing.
I am new to the Jennings books, but I remember a school friend many years ago purring about them. It looks like I may have plenty of treats in store.
There is nothing special here necessarily, but there is a warmth and an acknowledgement that the teaching staff have genuine care and concern for their young charges; and there were several chunks of dialogue that had me laughing out loud, making the over-all impact very pleasing.
I am new to the Jennings books, but I remember a school friend many years ago purring about them. It looks like I may have plenty of treats in store.
March 4, 2019
I've read other Jennings books, but have only just come across this one. Strangely, this book doesn't entirely ring true, as there are a couple of false notes.
This is because Buckeridge was still finding his way. This is only the second Jennings book. Like many classic series (books, TV, music etc) it takes a while for the creator to perfect the form and come into true classic status. A band's 3rd album is often their best, for example. So I regard later Jennings books as better than this one.
This is because Buckeridge was still finding his way. This is only the second Jennings book. Like many classic series (books, TV, music etc) it takes a while for the creator to perfect the form and come into true classic status. A band's 3rd album is often their best, for example. So I regard later Jennings books as better than this one.
June 29, 2019
What a delight! Full of laughs and surprises. I'm thrilled to find this new (to me) author. I found a short article where several authors shared the books they loved from childhood. I'm sad that I can't remember which author it was that mentioned the Jennings books in the same paragraph as the William stories by Crompton and Enid Blyton's work. I have loved Crompton and Blyton but was unfamiliar with Buckeridge and went at once to fill the gap in my education. Boy, am I glad I did! I'll be searching out the others in this fabulous series.
January 10, 2021
3.5 This wasn't as good a reread as the first Jennings book. The screw-ups stemming from Jennings and Darby trying to imitate Sherlock Holmes are too familiar from all the kid detective stories I've read since. That said, this was still entertaining and Buckeridge's writing remains delightful (I've really got to work "you prehistoric ruin!" into my conversation as an insult some time).
September 14, 2021
I’m reading an original 1950’s copy so the teachers are still at liberty to call poor Jennings an illiterate nitwit and subhuman relic. The humour is still spot on in this story. I’m looking forward to seeking out further original copies from secondhand book sellers.
June 19, 2020
I think that Jennings is my favourite series of books after P.G Wodehouse. They make me laugh so much even now and I am quite old.
Read
August 8, 2022Is this the one where Derbyshire has to pose as an artist while observing a suspect. One of the funniest things I've ever read.
December 23, 2024
A very fun read!
July 24, 2025
Filled with laugh out loud moments!
July 20, 2013
The first impact of reading a Sherlock Holmes story on Jennings reminds me of the impact it had on me when I was a child. A detective who can figure out a person's background just be looking his hands or figure out which mode of transport he used by the marks on his shoes. One who after gathering all the relevant facts only needed to smoke a pipe whilst on his armchair with his eyes closed to connect all the dots together and come up with the solution to the mystery.
Jennings likes to play games involving guns and chases with his friend Darbishire. When his teacher reads a Sherlock Holmes story to them, it transforms Jennings thoughts "Chasing about was all very well as a game, but a real detective's world was made up of something more subtle - clues theories, motives, observations and deduction."
Darbishire: "Well, what can you tell by looking at me?"
Jennings: "H'm, I should say you'd had an egg for breakfast."
Darbishire: "Gosh, yes, you're right. Super decent deduction! How on earth did you know?"
Jennings: "You've got traces of egg on your tie which are faintly invisible except to the trained eye. Of course, ordinary people might not be able to spot them."
Dabishire was thrilled at the possibilities that lay opened to the trained mind then light dawned.
"But we all had eggs for breakfast this morning. you want to try deducing clues on people you didn't have breakfast with."
As the boys are unable to stop looking for a mystery to solve in the most innocuous happenings in their school, they are thrown right into the thick of things as the school's annual sport day trophy is stolen. How they manage to get it back makes a very interesting read. The story also has delightful use of the English language the misunderstandings it might create in the minds of schoolboys.
"Look Darbi, I've got a valuable clue."
"What?"
Jennings opened his clenched fist and revealed a small brown sleeve button. "I got hold of his arm and it came off." he exclaimed in triumph.
"You mean he'd got a false arm?"
All in all a very enjoyable read!
April 21, 2020
Second in the Jennings series. I read this when I was maybe 11 - having borrowed it from a friend who liked the books too. I never owned this copy before so recently completed my series with the help of a second hand book seller on Amazon marketplace. I bought the same edition I had when younger, partly because I like the "price 30p" on the back. Those were the days!
In this story, Jennings sets up the Linbury Court detective agency after hearing a Sherlock Homes story, with predictable mayhem ensuing. Very funny books. My favourite lines from this story were:
"Why aren't you in the common room Jennings", asked Mr Carter.
"The Head sent me out sir, because our chess game was disturbing those who wanted to hammer".
(Well maybe its funnier if you read the background - but I liked it!)
In this story, Jennings sets up the Linbury Court detective agency after hearing a Sherlock Homes story, with predictable mayhem ensuing. Very funny books. My favourite lines from this story were:
"Why aren't you in the common room Jennings", asked Mr Carter.
"The Head sent me out sir, because our chess game was disturbing those who wanted to hammer".
(Well maybe its funnier if you read the background - but I liked it!)
October 14, 2024
While it's understandable that, at this stage, Buckeridge thinks each Jennings book needs a plot/underlying theme, the crime genre really isn't a good fit. Even so, there are many enjoyable moments and a few good laughs, almost all of which are provided by Darbishire. There are also some rather forced-feeling passages, which are suggestive of the author making a conscious effort to recreate what came naturally to him the first time. Mr Wilkins is still a work in progress.
Highlight: Darbishire imagines the worst when he and Jennings investigate the san at night.
Lowlight: Mr Pemberton-Oakes is treated to a visitor's highly unrealistic sales tactics.
Highlight: Darbishire imagines the worst when he and Jennings investigate the san at night.
Lowlight: Mr Pemberton-Oakes is treated to a visitor's highly unrealistic sales tactics.
July 31, 2011
Bennett décide de monter une police privée dans son collège afin de mener des enquêtes sur diverses disparitions. Prétexte donc à nombre de gaffes en tout genre et autres absurdités.
Dans la lignée des autres ouvrages de la série : correct mais sans plus. La littérature jeunesse d'aujourd'hui a collé une sacrée claque à des livres comme les Bennett (qui sont devenus collector !^^)
Dans la lignée des autres ouvrages de la série : correct mais sans plus. La littérature jeunesse d'aujourd'hui a collé une sacrée claque à des livres comme les Bennett (qui sont devenus collector !^^)
April 27, 2023
Read this several times as a kid. I thought it was absolutely hilarious although I didn't understand a lot of the British words like 'tuckbox' or 'boot'. I also thought it was weird that some kids lived full time at their school and only saw their parents on Holidays.
Anyway years later the Harry Potter books came out and Harry's experiences at Hogwarts always reminded me of this book. Jennings wasn't wizard but his adventures were just as fun.
Anyway years later the Harry Potter books came out and Harry's experiences at Hogwarts always reminded me of this book. Jennings wasn't wizard but his adventures were just as fun.
December 6, 2014
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March 31, 2016
The best-structured Jennings by far, the only one that gives a sense of plot rather than episodes. But not the funniest
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews