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Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte #29
The Lake Frome Monster
Mass market paperback
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
14 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Arthur W. Upfield
73 books112 followersAka Arthur Upfield
Arthur William Upfield (1 September 1890 – 13 February 1964) was an Australian writer, best known for his works of detective fiction featuring Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte ('Bony') of the Queensland Police Force, a half-caste Aborigine.
Born in England, Upfield moved to Australia in 1910 and fought with the Australian military during the First World War. Following his war service, he travelled extensively throughout Australia, obtaining a knowledge of Australian Aboriginal culture that would later be used extensively in his written works. In addition to his detective fiction, Upfield was also a member of the Australian Geological Society and was involved in numerous scientific expeditions. Upfield's works remained popular after his death, and in the 1970s were the basis for an Australian television series entitled "Boney".
Arthur William Upfield (1 September 1890 – 13 February 1964) was an Australian writer, best known for his works of detective fiction featuring Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte ('Bony') of the Queensland Police Force, a half-caste Aborigine.
Born in England, Upfield moved to Australia in 1910 and fought with the Australian military during the First World War. Following his war service, he travelled extensively throughout Australia, obtaining a knowledge of Australian Aboriginal culture that would later be used extensively in his written works. In addition to his detective fiction, Upfield was also a member of the Australian Geological Society and was involved in numerous scientific expeditions. Upfield's works remained popular after his death, and in the 1970s were the basis for an Australian television series entitled "Boney".
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 7, 2017
Initially interesting story set on the dingo-proof fence which runs down the South Australian border. The so-called "monster" has nothing much to do with the story so revealing his identity means little. He's a *****, previously ill-treated, and comes under Bony's spell early in the story. Upfield never completed the book; he died in 1964. Two others revised the notes and put the story together. Only recommended to Bony fans who've read the rest. ***** Spoiler deleted.
May 29, 2022
The final book in the Bony series and the last book Arthur W Upfield ever wrote.
The Bony books show off the beauty of the Australian bush and outback and the brilliance of Australia's first Aboriginal detective. This, the 29th Bony book, doesn't disappoint, and the audio book read by Peter Hosking, captures the story wonderfully.
A great classic Australian series.
The Bony books show off the beauty of the Australian bush and outback and the brilliance of Australia's first Aboriginal detective. This, the 29th Bony book, doesn't disappoint, and the audio book read by Peter Hosking, captures the story wonderfully.
A great classic Australian series.
September 12, 2021
Eric Maidstone was a teacher on holiday. He headed to the outback to take pictures of Australian animals for free-lance articles he submitted in his spare time. He planned his travels to take him to the Lake Frome station where an acquaintance worked. But he never got there.
His body was found with a bullet hole in the chest near the Bore Ten watering hole--just west of the dingo-proof Fence. Before those who found him turned his body over, they thought he might have tangled with The Lake Frome Monster, a giant-sized rogue camel known to attack men. The police from the nearest town get nowhere with their investigations and so the force sends its best: Inspector Napoleon "Bony" Bonaparte.
A half-white, half-Aboriginal detective, Bony is an expert at tracking and reading the ways of the outback. He often goes undercover as a worker in the bush in order to win the confidence of those he is investigating. He does so again. This time tackling the worst stretch of Fence work--clearing brush, mending broken fence, replacing rotten posts. But even his skills are put to the test when he finds that a wind storm has covered the ground with sand and debris. Most of the clues will come from conversations with various witnesses and suspects--from overseers to station owners to his fellow Fence minders. Eventually, a pattern emerges and he's forced to set a trap to catch the killer/s. When it's sprung a bit too soon and his own life is in danger, help comes from a very unlikely source...allowing Bony to once more get his man.
This is the last entry in the Inspector Bonaparte mysteries. It was completed by J. L. Price & Dorothy Strange. They did a credible job of finishing the work, but I could definitely tell that other cooks had been in the kitchen--the dish served up had a slightly different flavor. Bony's character lacks some of the depth that you find in the earlier works. The basic plot is a good one and the mystery is fledge out pretty well, though the ending is a bit abrupt. Overall, a solid ending to the series.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
His body was found with a bullet hole in the chest near the Bore Ten watering hole--just west of the dingo-proof Fence. Before those who found him turned his body over, they thought he might have tangled with The Lake Frome Monster, a giant-sized rogue camel known to attack men. The police from the nearest town get nowhere with their investigations and so the force sends its best: Inspector Napoleon "Bony" Bonaparte.
A half-white, half-Aboriginal detective, Bony is an expert at tracking and reading the ways of the outback. He often goes undercover as a worker in the bush in order to win the confidence of those he is investigating. He does so again. This time tackling the worst stretch of Fence work--clearing brush, mending broken fence, replacing rotten posts. But even his skills are put to the test when he finds that a wind storm has covered the ground with sand and debris. Most of the clues will come from conversations with various witnesses and suspects--from overseers to station owners to his fellow Fence minders. Eventually, a pattern emerges and he's forced to set a trap to catch the killer/s. When it's sprung a bit too soon and his own life is in danger, help comes from a very unlikely source...allowing Bony to once more get his man.
This is the last entry in the Inspector Bonaparte mysteries. It was completed by J. L. Price & Dorothy Strange. They did a credible job of finishing the work, but I could definitely tell that other cooks had been in the kitchen--the dish served up had a slightly different flavor. Bony's character lacks some of the depth that you find in the earlier works. The basic plot is a good one and the mystery is fledge out pretty well, though the ending is a bit abrupt. Overall, a solid ending to the series.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
March 12, 2018
Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte is sent to Central Australia to solve a murder that appears unsolvable. Working undercover, he finds himself in peril from both nature and the unknown killer. However, clearing fence line in the outback gives a man plenty of time to think over things.
A bit slow and confusing if you're not totally familiar with Australian slang and history but still a good read that should only take a day or two.
A bit slow and confusing if you're not totally familiar with Australian slang and history but still a good read that should only take a day or two.
February 26, 2023
Upfield unfortunately died before completing this book and it was finished by others using his notes. One couldn't tell where he finished and the others took over.
An excellent outing for Bony deep in the outback working undercover maintaining the Dingo proof fence which separates two states while trying to solve the apparently motiveless murder of a wildlife photographer who nobody locally knew. Plenty of the bushcraft for which which he is famous. Very atmospheric descriptions of the local terrain and the aboriginal protagonists. A good plot but a slightly unsatisfactory ending. Nevertheless highly recommended.
An excellent outing for Bony deep in the outback working undercover maintaining the Dingo proof fence which separates two states while trying to solve the apparently motiveless murder of a wildlife photographer who nobody locally knew. Plenty of the bushcraft for which which he is famous. Very atmospheric descriptions of the local terrain and the aboriginal protagonists. A good plot but a slightly unsatisfactory ending. Nevertheless highly recommended.
October 2, 2015
A wonderful series detective novel series, written from the 1920s to the 1960s. Most of the books in this series are set in or near towns or stations in the Australian bush. The books offer a wonderful sense of place and culture of the time, good mysteries to solve, and a half-aboriginal, half-white police detective called Napoleon Bonaparte, a character in the Sherlock Holmes mold. A few of the Napoleon Bonaparte books are set in larger towns or cities, but I think the books set in the bush are the best. Their settings are more evocative and the main character is at his best in the bush.
June 4, 2015
I love all Upfield mysteries. This is a good story and rings true to life on the dog fence and Broken Hill at the time. Reads as though it is still in draft
August 20, 2018
Ce roman était dans ma liseuse depuis assez longtemps. Je ne me rappelle pas à quelle occasion je l'ai eu. Mais je ne l'avais pas commencer car la couverture ne me plaisait pas. Puis pendant les vacances, comme j'avais lu tous les romans que j'avais emmené, j'ai décidé de le lire. Et j'ai regretté de ne pas l'avoir lu avant car j'ai vraiment adoré. L'inspecteur Napoléon Bonaparte est très intéressant et je regrette de ne le rencontrer que maintenant car du coup j'étais un peu perdu lorsqu'il évoquait des souvenirs d'anciennes affaires ou de ses origines. Mais cela n'a absolument pas gêné ma lecture et j'ai bien apprécié chaque instant. Je vais essayé de voir si il y a d'autres romans de cet auteur à ma bibliothèque.
March 15, 2020
This was re-read after many decades. As other reviewers have said this book was planned and started by Arthur Upfield and finished by two others. To 21st century minds the attitude to First Peoples is horrendous especially in view of books such as Dark Emu. Although this was written in 1966 it shows a mindset more related to the 1920s and 30s when Upfield would have been working in the outback.
The story does offer some good perspectives of life in the outback and is interesting for that reason. The writing is good though it does become more terse towards the final third of the book. It also lacks the usual back story of Bony and for readers of this series some depth.
Worth reading but perhaps one of the lesser of the Bony mysteries.
The story does offer some good perspectives of life in the outback and is interesting for that reason. The writing is good though it does become more terse towards the final third of the book. It also lacks the usual back story of Bony and for readers of this series some depth.
Worth reading but perhaps one of the lesser of the Bony mysteries.
July 20, 2018
Upfield is timeless. His story of a murdered photographer near the artificial lake - Lake Frome is excellent. Characters are strong. Bony as always is smart and genteel. And most importantly the portrayal of the Australian outback around that time is superb.
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December 16, 2020One of the best from this author. I think I've developed s "thing" for Mr. Napoleon Bonaparte. He's pretty resourceful and meticulous, but has a heart of gold.
March 2, 2024
A cracking mystery but without the lyrical descriptions of nature usually found in a Bony book. Perhaps because this was put together after Upfield’s death? Sad for this series to come to an end.
January 1, 2025
Couldn't finish it.
September 22, 2019
A straightforward read that is generally easy to digest. Not edgy but there is expectation with regards to Napoleon Bonaparte (Boney) trying to hunt down the murderer. Newton, Needle, and nugget characters were easy to get mixed up.
The fence and cattle duffing are unique and really holds the story together.
The fence and cattle duffing are unique and really holds the story together.
November 27, 2018
The last of the Bony novels, completed after his death from comprehensive notes left by Upfield. I couldn't pick a change in style, but the ending is more abrupt than the other novels. Still an enjoyable read.
An amateur photographer is found dead near a bore hole on the SA side of the "Dog Proof Fence". The local aborigines would have the police believe that the man was killed by a feral camel known as the "Lake Frome Monster". The bullet hole in the victim's head belies this. With a strong wind blowing up no clues or tracks are found.
Enter Bony, disguised as a fence rider (who in this area are mounted on camels).
An amateur photographer is found dead near a bore hole on the SA side of the "Dog Proof Fence". The local aborigines would have the police believe that the man was killed by a feral camel known as the "Lake Frome Monster". The bullet hole in the victim's head belies this. With a strong wind blowing up no clues or tracks are found.
Enter Bony, disguised as a fence rider (who in this area are mounted on camels).
February 20, 2016
I don't enjoy this book at all for me it just seemed to go on & on.I just found It à very slow read and the characters didn't hold my interest. Some of the book's in this series I have enjoyed so I'll stay with It and try again at another time.❤❤❤
May 7, 2018
re-read November 01, 2010
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews