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Francis Pettigrew #3
When the Wind Blows
Who murdered solo violinist Lucy Carless during a concert by the Markshire Orchestra? There are several suspects, any one of whom might have strangled her with a silk stocking. Was it her first husband? Or her second? Womanizer Bill Ventry? Or perhaps the clarinetist and fellow Polish émigré, Zbartorowski, with whom she’d had a violent argument? Lawyer Francis Pettigrew, as reluctant honorary treasurer to the Markshire Orchestral Society, finds himself caught up with assisting the police in their investigations.
(A Francis Pettigrew mystery)
(A Francis Pettigrew mystery)
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1949
About the author
Cyril Hare
81 books105 followersCyril Hare was the pseudonymn of Alfred Alexander Gordon Clark who was the third son of Henry Herbert Gordon Clark of Mickleham Hall, a merchant in the wine and spirit trade in the family firm of Matthew Clark & Sons.
Having spent most of his formative years in the country where he learned to hunt, shoot and fish, he was educated at St Aubyn's, Rottingdean and Rugby, where he won a prize for writing English verse, before reading history at New College, Oxford, where he gained a first class degree.
His family tradition indicated a legal career and he was duly called to the bar in 1924 and he joined the firm of famed lawyer Ronald Oliver and went on to practice in the civil and criminal courts in and around London.
He was 36 when he began his writing career and he picked his pseudonymn from Hare Court, where he worked, and Cyril Mansions, Battersea, where he lived after he had married Mary Barbara Lawrence in 1933. The couple had one son and two daughters.
His first literary endeavours were short, flippant sketches for Punch magazine and he had articles published in the Illustrated London News and The Law Journal. His first detective novel, 'Tenant for Death' was published in 1937 and it was called 'an engaging debut'.
During the early years of World War II he toured as a judge's marshall and he used his experiences as the basis for his fourth novel 'Tragedy at Law', which was published in 1942. In that same year he became a civil servant with the Director of Public Prosecutions and in the latter stages of the war he worked in the Ministry of Economic Warfare, where his experiences proved invaluable when writing 'With a Bare Bodkin' in 1946.
He was appointed county court judge for Surrey in 1950 and he spent his time between travelling the circuit trying civil cases and writing his detective fiction.
In addition to these two strings to his bow, he was a noted public speaker and was often in demand by a wide variety of societies. But his workload did curtail his literary output, which was also hampered by the fact that he did not use a typewriter, and his reputation, very good as it is in the field of detective fiction, stands on nine novels and a host of short stories. He also wrote a children's book, 'The Magic Bottle' in 1946 and a play, 'The House of Warbeck' in 1955.
He has left two enduting characters in Inspector Mallett of Scotland Yard, who featured in three novels, and Francis Pettigrew, an amateur sleuth, who also featured in three novels. In addition the two appeared together in two other novels, 'Tragedy at Law' (1942) and 'He Should Have Died Hereafter' (1958).
Having suffered from tuberculosis for some time, he died at his home near Boxhill, Surrey on 25 August 1958, aged only 57. After his death Michael Gilbert introduced a fine collection of his short stories entitled 'The Best Detective Stories of Cyril Hare', in which he paid due tribute to a fellow lawyer and mystery writer.
Gerry Wolstenholme
June 2011
Having spent most of his formative years in the country where he learned to hunt, shoot and fish, he was educated at St Aubyn's, Rottingdean and Rugby, where he won a prize for writing English verse, before reading history at New College, Oxford, where he gained a first class degree.
His family tradition indicated a legal career and he was duly called to the bar in 1924 and he joined the firm of famed lawyer Ronald Oliver and went on to practice in the civil and criminal courts in and around London.
He was 36 when he began his writing career and he picked his pseudonymn from Hare Court, where he worked, and Cyril Mansions, Battersea, where he lived after he had married Mary Barbara Lawrence in 1933. The couple had one son and two daughters.
His first literary endeavours were short, flippant sketches for Punch magazine and he had articles published in the Illustrated London News and The Law Journal. His first detective novel, 'Tenant for Death' was published in 1937 and it was called 'an engaging debut'.
During the early years of World War II he toured as a judge's marshall and he used his experiences as the basis for his fourth novel 'Tragedy at Law', which was published in 1942. In that same year he became a civil servant with the Director of Public Prosecutions and in the latter stages of the war he worked in the Ministry of Economic Warfare, where his experiences proved invaluable when writing 'With a Bare Bodkin' in 1946.
He was appointed county court judge for Surrey in 1950 and he spent his time between travelling the circuit trying civil cases and writing his detective fiction.
In addition to these two strings to his bow, he was a noted public speaker and was often in demand by a wide variety of societies. But his workload did curtail his literary output, which was also hampered by the fact that he did not use a typewriter, and his reputation, very good as it is in the field of detective fiction, stands on nine novels and a host of short stories. He also wrote a children's book, 'The Magic Bottle' in 1946 and a play, 'The House of Warbeck' in 1955.
He has left two enduting characters in Inspector Mallett of Scotland Yard, who featured in three novels, and Francis Pettigrew, an amateur sleuth, who also featured in three novels. In addition the two appeared together in two other novels, 'Tragedy at Law' (1942) and 'He Should Have Died Hereafter' (1958).
Having suffered from tuberculosis for some time, he died at his home near Boxhill, Surrey on 25 August 1958, aged only 57. After his death Michael Gilbert introduced a fine collection of his short stories entitled 'The Best Detective Stories of Cyril Hare', in which he paid due tribute to a fellow lawyer and mystery writer.
Gerry Wolstenholme
June 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
October 26, 2022
I am really enjoying this Golden Age mystery series with middle-aged British solicitor Francis Pettigrew. Read with the Reading the Detectives group. This book is set right after World War II; Pettigrew is now married to his secretary in the last book, With a Bare Bodkin, another enjoyable and humorous mystery, set during the War among the workers in a fictional remote government office.
Our self-effacing hero (one of his delightful traits, in my opinion), has surprised himself at how completely he has settled into domesticity, despite the almost 20 year age difference, and the distance from London and his usual clubs and cronies from the legal world. His wife enjoys playing in an amateur local orchestra, so Pettigrew, at first consulted by the committee running the group for his legal acumen, has been drafted as a member. There is the usual group of humorous characters: a bossy boots battle axe who runs everything and everyone with an iron hand, but worships the brilliant, but rather scattered conductor, and defers also to the unmusical, yet almost-aristocratic secretary (I personally pictured a Hyacinth Bucket type…)
Anyway, the orchestra members are very excited, as a brilliant soloist is going to star in their next concert. Everything goes according to plan at the big rehearsal, until she is introduced to a substitute clarinetist, the two argue, the clarinetist refuses to play and storms off. The race is on to fill his spot in the few hours before the concert, a sub is found, given directions on where and when to come, and all seems well…
But when the conductor goes to the dressing room to escort the star onstage, she has been strangled, and pandemonium ensues.
What follows is a delightful look at small town post-war committee politics and policing. Pettigrew’s police contact in the first two books, the delightful Inspector Mallet of Scotland Yard, is not called in, but we get the insecure (thus rather uptight and pompous, but eager to succeed) young Trimble, and his boss, a very dry, low-key Scot, who just happens to be a friend of Mallet’s. He wants to save the sensitive pride of his fledgling detective, but also wants to get the killer and protect the reputation of his department. In a humorous scene at the crowded County Club lunchroom, he invites himself to join Pettigrew’s empty table, and as lunch is over and our reluctant hero thinks he has escaped being dragged into another murder investigation, Chief Constable MacWilliams nabs him.
It’s inevitable - Pettigrew was present at the fateful rehearsal, and when the murder was discovered - a few disparate, tenuous facts have been bothering him about the whole thing. He and MacWilliams work together very well behind the scenes, mulling the facts and suspect and witness interviews as Trimble and his sergeant do the investigating. I quite enjoyed this part! And the finale was handled very well, and Trimble’s pride emerged unscathed, after quite a few shifty suspects, with plenty to hide, ran him around in circles a bit. That’s one of the things I love about this series - all of Hares characters are very human, and naturally flawed, and he presents them as such, with gentle humor at their foibles. Never cruel, but always honest - I attribute it to Hare’s career as a solicitor, I’m sure he saw and met all kinds!
Very enjoyable outing, as once again, Pettigrew’s love of and knowledge of somewhat obscure legal facts point to a satisfying outcome. Looking forward to reading more by Cyril Hare.
Our self-effacing hero (one of his delightful traits, in my opinion), has surprised himself at how completely he has settled into domesticity, despite the almost 20 year age difference, and the distance from London and his usual clubs and cronies from the legal world. His wife enjoys playing in an amateur local orchestra, so Pettigrew, at first consulted by the committee running the group for his legal acumen, has been drafted as a member. There is the usual group of humorous characters: a bossy boots battle axe who runs everything and everyone with an iron hand, but worships the brilliant, but rather scattered conductor, and defers also to the unmusical, yet almost-aristocratic secretary (I personally pictured a Hyacinth Bucket type…)
Anyway, the orchestra members are very excited, as a brilliant soloist is going to star in their next concert. Everything goes according to plan at the big rehearsal, until she is introduced to a substitute clarinetist, the two argue, the clarinetist refuses to play and storms off. The race is on to fill his spot in the few hours before the concert, a sub is found, given directions on where and when to come, and all seems well…
But when the conductor goes to the dressing room to escort the star onstage, she has been strangled, and pandemonium ensues.
What follows is a delightful look at small town post-war committee politics and policing. Pettigrew’s police contact in the first two books, the delightful Inspector Mallet of Scotland Yard, is not called in, but we get the insecure (thus rather uptight and pompous, but eager to succeed) young Trimble, and his boss, a very dry, low-key Scot, who just happens to be a friend of Mallet’s. He wants to save the sensitive pride of his fledgling detective, but also wants to get the killer and protect the reputation of his department. In a humorous scene at the crowded County Club lunchroom, he invites himself to join Pettigrew’s empty table, and as lunch is over and our reluctant hero thinks he has escaped being dragged into another murder investigation, Chief Constable MacWilliams nabs him.
It’s inevitable - Pettigrew was present at the fateful rehearsal, and when the murder was discovered - a few disparate, tenuous facts have been bothering him about the whole thing. He and MacWilliams work together very well behind the scenes, mulling the facts and suspect and witness interviews as Trimble and his sergeant do the investigating. I quite enjoyed this part! And the finale was handled very well, and Trimble’s pride emerged unscathed, after quite a few shifty suspects, with plenty to hide, ran him around in circles a bit. That’s one of the things I love about this series - all of Hares characters are very human, and naturally flawed, and he presents them as such, with gentle humor at their foibles. Never cruel, but always honest - I attribute it to Hare’s career as a solicitor, I’m sure he saw and met all kinds!
Very enjoyable outing, as once again, Pettigrew’s love of and knowledge of somewhat obscure legal facts point to a satisfying outcome. Looking forward to reading more by Cyril Hare.
November 15, 2022
Another delightful whodunnit from Hare featuring his mild-mannered solicitor Francis Pettigrew - now married and moved to the suburbs. Hare has a deliciously dry sense of humour and makes much of the committee politics of the local town, complete with amateur orchestra. As usual, Francis doesn't really investigate but he does have access to local gossip and is an eye witness to all the arguments and lies that surround the murder. Hare ramps up the comedy factor with an earnest new police inspector and a slightly machiavellian Chief Constable - charming, witty and a complex plot that doesn't take itself too seriously.
November 1, 2022
This is the third in the Francis Pettigrew series, first published in 1949. I am delighted I have discovered this series and will be sorry when I have finished it.
Pettigrew has now married Eleanor, who we met in the previous novel, and has settled down to happy domesticity. Eleanor is a keen violin player and a member of the Markshire Orchestral Society, of which Pettigrew finds himself the treasurer. There are a good cast of characters and suspects when Lucy Carless is murdered before her solo. In particular, I enjoyed the rather unsure Detective Inspector Trimble, his difficult relationship with Sergeant Tate and the kindly Chief MacWilliams, who involves Pettigrew in helping solve the mystery.
Cyril Hare is one of my favourite of the republished Golden Age authors and I have enjoyed all the mysteries I have read by him and recommend him highly.
Pettigrew has now married Eleanor, who we met in the previous novel, and has settled down to happy domesticity. Eleanor is a keen violin player and a member of the Markshire Orchestral Society, of which Pettigrew finds himself the treasurer. There are a good cast of characters and suspects when Lucy Carless is murdered before her solo. In particular, I enjoyed the rather unsure Detective Inspector Trimble, his difficult relationship with Sergeant Tate and the kindly Chief MacWilliams, who involves Pettigrew in helping solve the mystery.
Cyril Hare is one of my favourite of the republished Golden Age authors and I have enjoyed all the mysteries I have read by him and recommend him highly.
October 26, 2024
3.75 stars rounded up
A famous soloist is strangled at an amateur orchestra performance. It would probably make more sense to you if you understand musical things. I was rather lost, as the radio is about all I play.
A famous soloist is strangled at an amateur orchestra performance. It would probably make more sense to you if you understand musical things. I was rather lost, as the radio is about all I play.
January 10, 2023
Fun mystery. One of the clues turns on an allusion to David Copperfield and there's more of that kind of literary fun to be had. A nice weekend read.
April 1, 2017
If you want an old-fashioned whodunit in the style of Agatha Christie you may well be enchanted by Cyril Hare's 1949 story 'The Wind Blows Death'. (I have to admit his books have really weird titles).
It unfolds at a leisurely pace and there are vital clues in the beginning if you are alert, though there are quite a few red herrings too. Hint: being familiar with Dicken's 'David Copperfield' may help. It took me a while to sort out the characters but from then on I was hooked. An intelligent, escapist read.
It unfolds at a leisurely pace and there are vital clues in the beginning if you are alert, though there are quite a few red herrings too. Hint: being familiar with Dicken's 'David Copperfield' may help. It took me a while to sort out the characters but from then on I was hooked. An intelligent, escapist read.
November 6, 2022
This is another very enjoyable book from Cyril Hare featuring the engaging Francis Pettigrew. We are now post-war (but still very much in Rationing) and Pettigrew is living in rural domesticity – and getting roped into community life, including as a member of the committee of the local Music Society.
The plot revolves around a murder at a concert given by the Society and its resolution depends on a fine point of law which Pettigrew, having been reluctantly drawn into the investigation, is the man to spot. Meanwhile, there are red herrings and a very enjoyable set of character portraits and wry observations on provincial life. Hare writes with his customary wit and readability, and I found the whole thing very entertaining. This is a very enjoyable series so far and I will certainly be reading on for the pleasure of it.
The plot revolves around a murder at a concert given by the Society and its resolution depends on a fine point of law which Pettigrew, having been reluctantly drawn into the investigation, is the man to spot. Meanwhile, there are red herrings and a very enjoyable set of character portraits and wry observations on provincial life. Hare writes with his customary wit and readability, and I found the whole thing very entertaining. This is a very enjoyable series so far and I will certainly be reading on for the pleasure of it.
November 23, 2022
Francis Pettigrew is married and settled in a small English village where he continues to practise law. His wife's interest in music has however added a role to his life, that of treasurer to the local music society, and he finds himself in the midst of planning for the new concert season. All goes horribly wrong when the soloist is found murdered and Pettigrew finds himself reluctantly assisting the Chief Constable. The musical pieces selected plays an unexpected part in the mystery combined with an arcane bit of law. A large cast of interesting characters and intricate plot combined with Pettigrew's slightly cynical outlook on life, makes for a solid mystery. I'm really enjoying this series.
October 31, 2022
Another enjoyable whodunit by Cyril Hare. Pettigrew is a great character.
June 25, 2025
1940s detective story, enjoyable mainly for Cyril Hare's acerbic character descriptions. He plays fair with the plot, though the murderer's motivation has not aged well.
April 12, 2020
An Elegant Point of Law
Again, Cyril Hare has created memorable characters and a murder which turns on a subtle point of law. That point is elucidated by his appealing protagonist, Barrister Pettigrew. Another delight. I only wish I could again read it for the first time.
Again, Cyril Hare has created memorable characters and a murder which turns on a subtle point of law. That point is elucidated by his appealing protagonist, Barrister Pettigrew. Another delight. I only wish I could again read it for the first time.
November 17, 2022
This is exactly the kind of Golden Age mystery that I adore - a convincing and engaging plot, an interesting setting, a bunch of varied and well developed characters, and a dash of humour.
The likeable barrister Francis Pettigrew has married Eleanor (who appeared in the previous book) and settled down in a small town, where Eleanor plays violin in the local orchestra and he performs the role of treasurer, while wryly observing the musicians and his fellow committee members. When soloist Lucy Carless is murdered during a concert, Pettigrew tries to remain uninvolved, but is skilfully drawn in by the canny Chief Constable Macwilliams. Before long he is reviewing the evidence and adding his own sharp observations to the investigation.
I really enjoyed reading about the members of the orchestra and their squabbles, and the dynamics between the police officers provided some amusing moments. The plot was well thought out without being over complicated, and the clues were hiding in plain sight as with all the best mysteries. This has become one of my favourite series and I’m looking forward to reading the next one.
The likeable barrister Francis Pettigrew has married Eleanor (who appeared in the previous book) and settled down in a small town, where Eleanor plays violin in the local orchestra and he performs the role of treasurer, while wryly observing the musicians and his fellow committee members. When soloist Lucy Carless is murdered during a concert, Pettigrew tries to remain uninvolved, but is skilfully drawn in by the canny Chief Constable Macwilliams. Before long he is reviewing the evidence and adding his own sharp observations to the investigation.
I really enjoyed reading about the members of the orchestra and their squabbles, and the dynamics between the police officers provided some amusing moments. The plot was well thought out without being over complicated, and the clues were hiding in plain sight as with all the best mysteries. This has become one of my favourite series and I’m looking forward to reading the next one.
November 12, 2022
In this third book of the series, Pettigrew is comfortably married to Eleanor, who he met in a previous book, and has moved out of the Temple to a small town. Eleanor, who enjoys playing the violin has joined the town's orchestra, and roped Pettigrew into holding the position of treasurer for group, much against his will. The orchestra has organised a concert, and has engaged a former resident of the town, now a worldwide expert on the violin, to perform. Just before her solo performance, she is found dead in her dressing room. Pettigrew is then called upon to help the local police into the investigation, although he has no intention of mixing himself up with it. As there are so many people involved with the orchestra, there are a large number of potential suspects, including both the musicians and committee, making it a very difficult first investigation for the local Police.
I felt this story started quite slowly, but once it got going, following the investigation was interesting and pretty complicated.
I felt this story started quite slowly, but once it got going, following the investigation was interesting and pretty complicated.
August 30, 2020
Francis Pettigrew is drawn into another investigation when a soloist is murdered at a concert he's helping to organise. An enjoyable golden age mystery.
June 2, 2023
Enjoyable mystery. I had the right suspect all along, though the solution hangs on a fact I didn't know. I don't think most readers will, either. And it bothered me that they just assumed no one looked at the substitute flautist, instead of trying to find a witness. I've played oboe in plenty of concerts, and you definitely notice those around you. You're not focused on the music or conductor every second.
Still it was fun to read and I look forward to reading another soon.
Still it was fun to read and I look forward to reading another soon.
September 8, 2019
An unusual puzzler from the years shortly after WWII. An amateur orchestra is planning a concert. They need a professional violinist and a professional clarinetist. The first is the famous Lucy Carless, the second presents difficulties. The polish refugee originally scheduled to play the clarinet walks off in a huff after exchanging words with Lucy, and a last-minute replacement must be found. When Lucy is found murdered backstage, the police investigation focuses both on the local members of the orchestra and their internal bickering, as on the strange tale told by the replacement clarinetist. Who sent the wrong car at the wrong time to pick him up at the station, thereby ensuring that he would be too late for the concert? Where was Mr. Ventry, the womanizing organist, in the hours leading up to the concert? Why did Lucy dislike the work of Dickens so much?
Francis Pettigrew, reluctant amateur detective, is drawn into the investigation thanks to his role as treasurer of the amateur orchestra. While the energetic and conceited Inspector Trimble vigorously pursues alibis and eyewitness accounts, Pettigrew and the Chief Constable drink whisky and discuss the matter at leisure, in the best tradition of the armchair detective. A good knowledge of music might help the reader in figuring out the complex cascade of events triggered by the culprit, but even without that knowledge, I found it an enjoyable mystery. One of the things that I liked was that the mystery unfolds step by step, with more and more discordant elements being uncovered that seem to hint now at this, now at that. I was not wholly surprised by the identity of the murderer, but I would have had to agree with Pettigrew's original assessment that the person he believed had done it, couldn't have done it !
Francis Pettigrew, reluctant amateur detective, is drawn into the investigation thanks to his role as treasurer of the amateur orchestra. While the energetic and conceited Inspector Trimble vigorously pursues alibis and eyewitness accounts, Pettigrew and the Chief Constable drink whisky and discuss the matter at leisure, in the best tradition of the armchair detective. A good knowledge of music might help the reader in figuring out the complex cascade of events triggered by the culprit, but even without that knowledge, I found it an enjoyable mystery. One of the things that I liked was that the mystery unfolds step by step, with more and more discordant elements being uncovered that seem to hint now at this, now at that. I was not wholly surprised by the identity of the murderer, but I would have had to agree with Pettigrew's original assessment that the person he believed had done it, couldn't have done it !
February 4, 2022
Pettigrew again is called in to help solve a murder though we do get to watch the police do their best to also solve the crime. This time Pettigrew is the treasurer of the local orchestra which his wife is in. He ends up in a prime position to hear just the right things. At the same time, on the police side they also find some confusing but accurate accounts of what actually happened. The problem is solved if you know certain elements, which you may know- but when you don't- it muddies everything.
Really found the story told in an engaging way and while there are elements hidden (for those who aren't familiar with various areas like English law, music etc... ) even I knew that the clues would come from those areas. (Enjoy the Pettigrew series quite a bit. They are told with a really good eye on humanity.)
Really found the story told in an engaging way and while there are elements hidden (for those who aren't familiar with various areas like English law, music etc... ) even I knew that the clues would come from those areas. (Enjoy the Pettigrew series quite a bit. They are told with a really good eye on humanity.)
January 1, 2019
An interesting case of a murdered violinist, with plenty of suspects. To solve it completely, some knowledge of the works of Mozart and Dickens will help, as well as what Francis Pettigrew describes as an "elementary point" of English Law (no longer on the Statute Book).
In fact the murderer was, to me, quite clearly signalled about 40% of the way through, as was the general outline of the motive. What holds the reader's attention is the way in which the Chief Constable draws Pettigrew into the investigation while not cutting Inspector Trimble out.
There are plenty of well-drawn characters and the quality of the writing is as good as ever, but I do not agree with Barzun and Taylor who consider this a masterpiece.
3.5 stars
In fact the murderer was, to me, quite clearly signalled about 40% of the way through, as was the general outline of the motive. What holds the reader's attention is the way in which the Chief Constable draws Pettigrew into the investigation while not cutting Inspector Trimble out.
There are plenty of well-drawn characters and the quality of the writing is as good as ever, but I do not agree with Barzun and Taylor who consider this a masterpiece.
3.5 stars
January 22, 2013
As with most of Hare's books the solution to the mystery hinges on legal knowledge that I do not possess, but I still enjoyed this book, primarily because of the interesting characters and the way the author depicts the social politics of the musical society and the town where the mystery takes place.
January 2, 2018
My third Cyril Hare book, not quite so good as Tragedy At Law but better than An English Murder. Like those other two, this book turns on an obscure point of English law, and the telling here is very well done, reminiscent of the best of another solicitor-writer, Michael Gilbert (who edited a collection of Hare's stories).
May 5, 2020
Pettigrew and his wife have moved to a small English city. She joins the orchestra, he's convinced to join the organization's board. When a noted violin soloist is murdered moments before her performance, the retired lawyer is reluctantly dragged into to investigation. A clever and witty mystery that turns on two pieces of arcane knowledge, one musical, one legal.
February 24, 2020
While I dislike mystery novels that hide too much, I think this one goes too far in the other direction, tipping its hand way too early, letting me work out whodunnit but not whytheydid. Still, this was a delightful, cosy murder romp.
October 12, 2016
Pretty good. I'll try the next one.
September 30, 2026
A delightful mystery set in the amateur orchestral society of Markhampton. When a visiting violinist is strangled before a performance, mostly-retired lawyer and society treasurer Francis Pettigrew is reluctantly drawn into the investigation. As with all of Hare's works, the characters and their petty grievances and quirks are sharply observed.
I found myself chuckling at several points, especially at the ambitious and modern Inspector Trimble's efforts to impress his older, old-school sergeant.
There's always a legal point that forms an important clue to the mystery in Cyril Hare's works and, as readers, we cannot possibly guess what this might be. Usually, this sort of rabbit-pulling-from-hat annoys me, but I've come to look forward to learning obscure and archaic points of British law from these novels!
The other interesting trait of Hare's Pettigrew novels is that once the solution is arrived at, we never go back to the suspects for a formal questioning, accusation, or public denouement. The solution is arrived at, Pettigrew passes on his intel to whichever official detective is investigate case, and then he goes back to his everyday life.
In this case, the nature of the murderer is so interesting that I would have liked to see a scene where they are accused. But Hare had sketches the characters well enough that I can now imagine it for myself.
I found myself chuckling at several points, especially at the ambitious and modern Inspector Trimble's efforts to impress his older, old-school sergeant.
There's always a legal point that forms an important clue to the mystery in Cyril Hare's works and, as readers, we cannot possibly guess what this might be. Usually, this sort of rabbit-pulling-from-hat annoys me, but I've come to look forward to learning obscure and archaic points of British law from these novels!
The other interesting trait of Hare's Pettigrew novels is that once the solution is arrived at, we never go back to the suspects for a formal questioning, accusation, or public denouement. The solution is arrived at, Pettigrew passes on his intel to whichever official detective is investigate case, and then he goes back to his everyday life.
In this case, the nature of the murderer is so interesting that I would have liked to see a scene where they are accused. But Hare had sketches the characters well enough that I can now imagine it for myself.
July 25, 2021
The Chief Constable said “There are several odd features about this case,”he said at last. “Let me see if I can sort them out. I dare say you have done so already, Trimble”—here his mild blue eyes looked suddenly into the inspector’s own, with an expression of complete seriousness..."First point: Miss Carless has a row with Zbartorowski at the rehearsal. This results in the orchestra being short of a clarinetist. Second point: Jenkinson is engaged in his place and a car is ordered to meet him at the station, but that car goes to meet the wrong train and misses him. Third point: The car that does meet Jenkinson belongs to Ventry, and the driver, whoever he is, takes him to the wrong place, so keeping him out of the way until after the murder. Fourth point: Ventry fails to turn up at the start of the concert, so that the order of events on the program has to be changed. Fifth point: Somebody does play the clarinet part in the orchestra and that somebody disappears immediately after the murder is discovered. All these are plain facts, which don’t depend on the evidence of anybody who could conceivably be described as a suspect...if these things aren’t connected with each other, and with the sixth and most important point, which is the crime itself, there’s been a most unnatural amount of rum goings on over this concert."
April 13, 2026
I found this to be a pretty fun read, in the tradition of the "lighthearted" British mystery. The characters were fun, well-drawn, and interacted believably. I've thought several times about how refreshing it would be to have a mystery solved by somebody who didn't have a particular, vested interested in solving it and who wasn't particularly heroic. From that point of view, this book was very refreshing. Having now finished the book, though, I'm a little confused by the "A classic novel of suspense" blurb at the top of the cover on the edition that I read. There really is no suspense whatsoever in this book, but that's forgivable. The one thing that kept this book from getting a 4-star rating from me is that the resolution. While there were allusions that some readers might have picked up on, many others (including me) would not--particularly being nearly 50 years removed from having last read David Copperfield. I don't think it played fair with the reader. Still, I enjoyed everything else about the book and may try another of Hare's one of these days.
October 20, 2023
In Cyril Hare’s “The Wind Blows Death” (1949), Barrister Francis Pettigrew and his wife move to a small village outside of London after the war. His wife is an enthusiastic amateur violinist and joins the community orchestra. Pettigrew assists his wife by becoming honorary treasurer of the Markshire Orchestral Society. At the opening concert of the season, Lucy Carless, a visiting violinist, is murdered. Who is the killer? Her first or second husband? People with whom she has recently had arguments? The local chief inspector invites Pettigrew to help solve the crime. This book is a delightfully witty story. As an aside, many of the detective novels of this period have some discussion of the consequences of price controls. These discussions remind one of how disastrous and unnecessary these controls were. Highly recommended book.
July 18, 2021
A delightful book by a happy author.
Our ace amateur detective, Francis Pettigrew, has married a younger woman who is beautiful, rich and nice. So he has retired to the country, practices law sporadically and tries to avoid getting wrapped up in murders. He can’t avoid the murder of a star violinist that happens almost in front of his nose. But that’s really ok. Because Pettigrew likes helping the police solve crimes. Now, if only the harried new inspector can handle the help…
Hare writes a genuine fair play cozy this time, extending a welcome generosity to his players. The murderer is eminently guessable — just pay attention to the events preceding the murder. Figuring the motive for murder requires that you have a specialized knowledge of arcane law. Sorry, it’s unlikely you will figure that portion.
Is it a classic? Not quite. Is it a great read that does exactly what a cozy is supposed to do? Oh yeah.
Our ace amateur detective, Francis Pettigrew, has married a younger woman who is beautiful, rich and nice. So he has retired to the country, practices law sporadically and tries to avoid getting wrapped up in murders. He can’t avoid the murder of a star violinist that happens almost in front of his nose. But that’s really ok. Because Pettigrew likes helping the police solve crimes. Now, if only the harried new inspector can handle the help…
Hare writes a genuine fair play cozy this time, extending a welcome generosity to his players. The murderer is eminently guessable — just pay attention to the events preceding the murder. Figuring the motive for murder requires that you have a specialized knowledge of arcane law. Sorry, it’s unlikely you will figure that portion.
Is it a classic? Not quite. Is it a great read that does exactly what a cozy is supposed to do? Oh yeah.
October 22, 2023
Another winner in my books. WWII is over and Pettigrew and his wife have retired to the countryside, where Mrs Pettigrew has begun a career as second violin in the local amateur orchestra. Murder ensues. This book required a bit of to solve fully - but it's entirely fair in that you can totally clock who the murderer is.
Just a mention of Mallett this time - and I missed him - but he is replaced by a Chief Constable who is like him and an inspector who isn't. The former is a worthwhile replacement, but I'd like to see him back in the saddle.
Just a mention of Mallett this time - and I missed him - but he is replaced by a Chief Constable who is like him and an inspector who isn't. The former is a worthwhile replacement, but I'd like to see him back in the saddle.
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