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Perry Trethowan #2
Death and the Princess
Paperback book mystery features Scotland Yard's Perry Trethowan.
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1982
12 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Robert Barnard
202 books89 followersAka Bernard Bastable.
Robert Barnard (born 23 November 1936) was an English crime writer, critic and lecturer.
Born in Essex, Barnard was educated at the Royal Grammar School in Colchester and at Balliol College in Oxford. His first crime novel, A Little Local Murder, was published in 1976. The novel was written while he was a lecturer at University of Tromsø in Norway. He has gone on to write more than 40 other books and numerous short stories.
Barnard has said that his favourite crime writer is Agatha Christie. In 1980 he published a critique of her work titled A Talent to Deceive: An Appreciation of Agatha Christie.
Barnard was awarded the Cartier Diamond Dagger in 2003 by the Crime Writers Association for a lifetime of achievement.
Under the pseudonym Bernard Bastable, Robert Barnard has published one standalone novel and three alternate history books starring Wolfgang Mozart as a detective, he having survived to old age.
Barnard lived with his wife Louise in Yorkshire.
Series:
* Perry Trethowan
* Charlie Peace
Robert Barnard (born 23 November 1936) was an English crime writer, critic and lecturer.
Born in Essex, Barnard was educated at the Royal Grammar School in Colchester and at Balliol College in Oxford. His first crime novel, A Little Local Murder, was published in 1976. The novel was written while he was a lecturer at University of Tromsø in Norway. He has gone on to write more than 40 other books and numerous short stories.
Barnard has said that his favourite crime writer is Agatha Christie. In 1980 he published a critique of her work titled A Talent to Deceive: An Appreciation of Agatha Christie.
Barnard was awarded the Cartier Diamond Dagger in 2003 by the Crime Writers Association for a lifetime of achievement.
Under the pseudonym Bernard Bastable, Robert Barnard has published one standalone novel and three alternate history books starring Wolfgang Mozart as a detective, he having survived to old age.
Barnard lived with his wife Louise in Yorkshire.
Series:
* Perry Trethowan
* Charlie Peace
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 11, 2013
Robert Barnard sits firmly at the cosy end of the whodunnit genre, and I find his books, usually set within a distinctive section of British society, a lot of fun. He goes in for a lot of gently dry humour at the expense of the setting du livre, which, in fact, is often more enjoyable than the actual mystery.
In this case, the setting is (as one might expect) Buckingham Palace/the British Royal Family (in the early 1980s). Princess Helena is a minor member of the royal family, against whose life there appears to be a rather nebulous threat. Superintendent Perry Trethowan has the misfortune to be a junior scion of a minor aristocratic family (which is mostly bonkers, and with which he doesn't get on), so his superiors tend to dump cases involving the upper classes on him. Now he has to bodyguard the young, sexy princess and figure out what the threat to her is, and whether a couple of deaths within her circle are related...
The mystery is okay, and the solution reasonably satisfying, but the real charm of the book lies in the characters, the setting, and the writing.
In this case, the setting is (as one might expect) Buckingham Palace/the British Royal Family (in the early 1980s). Princess Helena is a minor member of the royal family, against whose life there appears to be a rather nebulous threat. Superintendent Perry Trethowan has the misfortune to be a junior scion of a minor aristocratic family (which is mostly bonkers, and with which he doesn't get on), so his superiors tend to dump cases involving the upper classes on him. Now he has to bodyguard the young, sexy princess and figure out what the threat to her is, and whether a couple of deaths within her circle are related...
The mystery is okay, and the solution reasonably satisfying, but the real charm of the book lies in the characters, the setting, and the writing.
October 17, 2025
Robert Barnard dishes on royalty, reporters, parliament members, actors....I don't think he leaves anyone who might associate with a minor princess out. This, as always, was cleverly done by one of the best in more modern British mysteries. And, as always, I thoroughly enjoyed his characters. There may be stereotypes here and there, but they're thoroughly fleshed out stereotypes. Another enjoyable read. Three and a half stars.
December 24, 2018
Superintendent Perry Trethowan gets his arm twisted into providing security for the gorgeous, willful and sensation-seeking Princess Helena, a distant relative to Queen Elizabeth but a staple of the tabloids. Scotland Yard suspects that her life is in danger, but isn’t sure from what quarter. To tell any more would ruin this book, but author Robert Barnard packs the novel with lots of humor and even more twists.
Although the novel is the second in a series, newbies will enjoy Death and the Princess as much as long-time Barnard fans. Highly recommended.
Although the novel is the second in a series, newbies will enjoy Death and the Princess as much as long-time Barnard fans. Highly recommended.
July 11, 2016
Superintendent Perry Trethowan is instructed to tighten up security around the Princess Helena who seems to be raising a few eyebrows with her unsuitable male escorts. He is not keen on the idea though he and the Princess do manage to strike up a rapport. There has been a suspicious death of a journalist whose name had been linked with the Princess and the powers that be are worried about. Perry himself narrates the story in a low key humorous style which draws you into the story immediately.
This is the second Perry Trethowan story I've read and I think it is the style of the narrative which keeps me reading rather than the plot. The characters do come to life on the page through his eyes and the claustrophobic life of someone in the public eye is well done. It really did give me a sense of how confined the life of even minor royalty must have been at the time.
This is a relatively light hearted crime novel and while there is a crime and more than one murder the books focusses more on the characters than the plot. The book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone novel.
This is the second Perry Trethowan story I've read and I think it is the style of the narrative which keeps me reading rather than the plot. The characters do come to life on the page through his eyes and the claustrophobic life of someone in the public eye is well done. It really did give me a sense of how confined the life of even minor royalty must have been at the time.
This is a relatively light hearted crime novel and while there is a crime and more than one murder the books focusses more on the characters than the plot. The book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone novel.
January 6, 2018
A young journalist, and onetime paramour of the rather flighty Princess Helena, is found dead under suspicious circumstances, along with a lady who somewhat resembles the princess. Could Helena herself have been the target. Probably not, but when it comes to the royals, better safe than sorry. So Superintendent Perry Trethowan was assigned to protect her until everything is sorted out.
I came to this book knowing nothing about it except that the author has an excellent reputation. Though the plot is fairly slight, it's richly told, and I found myself enjoying it a great deal more than I had expected. It's mostly light, but serious when it needs to be, full of well-drawn characters. And it's fun.
I came to this book knowing nothing about it except that the author has an excellent reputation. Though the plot is fairly slight, it's richly told, and I found myself enjoying it a great deal more than I had expected. It's mostly light, but serious when it needs to be, full of well-drawn characters. And it's fun.
June 15, 2022
This is one of those books I got from a second-hand sale and I must say that this is the third time I pick it up and finish it. I don't know what it was that made the story so heavy for me. It is a crime novel and a royal mystery story as explained on the cover, but for some reason unbeknownst to me, it took me several attempts to continue reading, and now that I have more time to spare it felt like a task to get from the middle to the end. There were parts where I felt like meh, and forced myself to continue because the plot itself wasn't bad, really but perhaps the style wasn't my cup of tea.
It was helpful though, to get more vocabulary in English but other than that it just didn't trap me.
It was helpful though, to get more vocabulary in English but other than that it just didn't trap me.
July 14, 2024
Not so much a murder mystery as a discourse on British mores and attitudes and class snobbery. The narrator (and author) is witty and sly and that makes this an enjoyable romp. It helps to have read the previous book since Perry's family and its quirks are touched on briefly. And also helps if you are interested in how the royal family might actually deal with junior members (in the 1970's at least.)
February 6, 2019
The mystery is more complex than it seems for most of the book. Overall, it is a solid mystery. But I found it a bit boring because of all the pointless chatter. I didn't think it really add to the story and it wasn't even witty chatter. I ended up going through those parts very quickly and I didn't miss a thing.
March 7, 2023
Robert Barnard can always be guarenteed to provide an entertaining, while here, gently poking fun at the Royal Family. Minor Royals with elevated status and the lacky's that allow this to go on unchecked.
March 24, 2022
Both fluffy and campy but the main character and the odd flash of wit continue to appeal.
February 29, 2024
Delightful entertainment. Robert Barnard is expert at fast moving enjoyable and satisfying mysteries. He hasn’t disappointed me yet. Fortunately he’s very prolific.
February 28, 2025
This is my second book of this series, and I read it immediately after the first. I love the narrative voice and the mystery being solved in real time.
183 pages
183 pages
July 25, 2011
I am glad I read this book but it took me a relatively long time to read 183 pages. So it was humorous and well written, but somehow not a book that I just HAD to read.
Perry Trethowan is an agent for Scotland Yard. His father was minor gentry so when there is a case that deals with the nobility he is put on the case. This case involves the lovely Princess Helena who has been threatened and needs full time protection. Princess Helena chaffs under the constant vigilance and tries to continue her clandestine meetings with males that would not be approved of by the family.
The Princess has been making public appearances at Senior Housing Centers and many conferences concerning the Elderly. Perry Trethowan follows her around and checks into the death of a reporter who has a history of investigative reporting about human right and then all of a sudden the Princess' personal secretary commits "suicide". Superintendent Trethowan does not believe that it was a suicide and has to figure out how all this works together.
All in all -- a good solid look into British nobility and social commentary, but it was not a thrilling read.
Perry Trethowan is an agent for Scotland Yard. His father was minor gentry so when there is a case that deals with the nobility he is put on the case. This case involves the lovely Princess Helena who has been threatened and needs full time protection. Princess Helena chaffs under the constant vigilance and tries to continue her clandestine meetings with males that would not be approved of by the family.
The Princess has been making public appearances at Senior Housing Centers and many conferences concerning the Elderly. Perry Trethowan follows her around and checks into the death of a reporter who has a history of investigative reporting about human right and then all of a sudden the Princess' personal secretary commits "suicide". Superintendent Trethowan does not believe that it was a suicide and has to figure out how all this works together.
All in all -- a good solid look into British nobility and social commentary, but it was not a thrilling read.
July 21, 2014
Robert Barnard's "Death and the Princess", my tenth book of this author, is quite unremarkable. I will make up for it by writing a remarkably short review, compared to my usual overlong and tedious writings. I keep reading Barnard because I love his sardonic writing style, occasional snide remarks, frequent use of high-quality humor, and the fun he has with the English language. Nice examples of all of these qualities can be found in the novel, yet this time I find the plot quite weak.
Princess Helena is a distant cousin of the British royal family. There are indications that she might be in harm's way, and Superintendent Perry Trethowan is chosen to be her personal bodyguard because of his "couthness". When people with whom the Princess has had connections begin to die, the plot gets quite complicated.
The denouement is surprising, but it is revealed during a conversation between the detective and his sidekick - so very cliché. Some funny bits about royal lifestyles and about Mrs. Thatcher are high points of the novel.
Two and a quarter stars.
Princess Helena is a distant cousin of the British royal family. There are indications that she might be in harm's way, and Superintendent Perry Trethowan is chosen to be her personal bodyguard because of his "couthness". When people with whom the Princess has had connections begin to die, the plot gets quite complicated.
The denouement is surprising, but it is revealed during a conversation between the detective and his sidekick - so very cliché. Some funny bits about royal lifestyles and about Mrs. Thatcher are high points of the novel.
Two and a quarter stars.
March 3, 2024
I have read this series completely out of order, which I think can affect how the story comes across. I like Perry Trethowen's style (first person, speaking directly to the reader), but his assignment to provide security for a young minor member of the royal family just isn't that interesting, for him or for the reader. The princess is flighty, self-centered, and dimwitted; poorly educated and a seeming stereotype. The murder of her private secretary hardly registers with her, and the solving of it seems anti-climactic. Not my favorite Robert Barnard mystery.
I just read this again because I have enjoyed other Perry Trethowen mysteries and wanted to read them in order. This is still not my favorite RB novel, but it works better having read the first book in the series, which gives a lot of Perry's background and establishes him as a man of character and common sense.
I just read this again because I have enjoyed other Perry Trethowen mysteries and wanted to read them in order. This is still not my favorite RB novel, but it works better having read the first book in the series, which gives a lot of Perry's background and establishes him as a man of character and common sense.
September 13, 2012
Superintendent Perry Trethowan is called upon the body guard one of the lesser Royal Princesses. His bosses tell him that there have been hints that she is in danger? In addition a reporter boyfriend has died in suspicious circumstances while in the company of a girl resembling the Princess. So Perry and his associate take on the job of following the royal entourage from one public event to another, many of which are related to homes for the aged.
The story is very interesting giving the reader a peephole into the lives of the royalty that spend much of their time doing PR of one sort or another. Robbert Barnard's book are a sure thing. They always entertain while educating the reader in subtle ways.
The story is very interesting giving the reader a peephole into the lives of the royalty that spend much of their time doing PR of one sort or another. Robbert Barnard's book are a sure thing. They always entertain while educating the reader in subtle ways.
October 19, 2012
I had never read this author before and I picked it up at a used book sale because it was short and looked like it would be a perfect book to carry (and read) while traveling.
I found I thoroughly enjoyed both the main character and the story. I'll have to find some more of these.
I found I thoroughly enjoyed both the main character and the story. I'll have to find some more of these.
April 21, 2010
I am really enjoying this author. Great British mystery series. Finally something to soothe my yearning for more Agatha Christie.
May 30, 2012
Well written--quick read (during trip to Italy). Have read sev other by Barnard in the past--and three of his on this trip.
November 1, 2016
not so good as some of his other books
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews