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Mr. Zero
A high society house party in the country sets the stage for blackmail, sabotage, illicit passion, and murder in this witty, classic British mystery with a touch of political intrigue
The last thing London debutante Gay Hardwicke wants is to become involved in another one of her cousin’s messy jams. But Lady Sylvia Colesborough is in over her head this time: She claims she’s being blackmailed by the mysterious Mr. Zero. If she doesn’t steal important government papers from the safe of her politically connected husband, the distinguished Sir Francis, her gambling debts will be exposed. Gay’s reluctant attempts to help Sylvia backfire when a murder raises the stakes—and Gay’s boyfriend, Algy Somers, becomes the prime suspect.
Enlisting the aid of her society friends, Gay races to clear Algy’s name and catch a cagey killer before her own days are numbered.
The last thing London debutante Gay Hardwicke wants is to become involved in another one of her cousin’s messy jams. But Lady Sylvia Colesborough is in over her head this time: She claims she’s being blackmailed by the mysterious Mr. Zero. If she doesn’t steal important government papers from the safe of her politically connected husband, the distinguished Sir Francis, her gambling debts will be exposed. Gay’s reluctant attempts to help Sylvia backfire when a murder raises the stakes—and Gay’s boyfriend, Algy Somers, becomes the prime suspect.
Enlisting the aid of her society friends, Gay races to clear Algy’s name and catch a cagey killer before her own days are numbered.
216 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1938
88 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Wentworth
162 books524 followersPatricia Wentworth--born Dora Amy Elles--was a British crime fiction writer.
She was educated privately and at Blackheath High School in London. After the death of her first husband, George F. Dillon, in 1906, she settled in Camberley, Surrey. She married George Oliver Turnbull in 1920 and they had one daughter.
She wrote a series of 32 classic-style whodunnits featuring Miss Silver, the first of which was published in 1928, and the last in 1961, the year of her death.
Miss Silver, a retired governess-turned private detective, is sometimes compared to Jane Marple, the elderly detective created by Agatha Christie. She works closely with Scotland Yard, especially Inspector Frank Abbott and is fond of quoting the poet Tennyson.
Wentworth also wrote 34 books outside of that series.
She was educated privately and at Blackheath High School in London. After the death of her first husband, George F. Dillon, in 1906, she settled in Camberley, Surrey. She married George Oliver Turnbull in 1920 and they had one daughter.
She wrote a series of 32 classic-style whodunnits featuring Miss Silver, the first of which was published in 1928, and the last in 1961, the year of her death.
Miss Silver, a retired governess-turned private detective, is sometimes compared to Jane Marple, the elderly detective created by Agatha Christie. She works closely with Scotland Yard, especially Inspector Frank Abbott and is fond of quoting the poet Tennyson.
Wentworth also wrote 34 books outside of that series.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 25, 2024
I did like Mr Zero performance in this book. A little bit change from Miss Silver´s series.
3* Grey Mask (Miss Silver, #1)
4* The Case Is Closed (Miss Silver, #2)
4* Lonesome Road (Miss Silver, #3)
4* The Chinese Shawl (Miss Silver, #5)
3* Miss Silver Deals With Death (Miss Silver, #6)
3* The Clock Strikes Twelve (Miss Silver, #7)
4* The Key (Miss Silver, #8)
4* She Came Back (Miss Silver, #9)
4* Pilgrim's Rest (Miss Silver, #10)
3* The Case of William Smith (Miss Silver, #13)
4* Eternity Ring (Miss Silver, #14)
4* Miss Silver Comes to Stay (Miss Silver, #15)
2* The Ivory Dagger (Miss Silver, #19)
4* Out of the Past (Miss Silver, #23)
3* The Benevent Treasure (Miss Silver, #26)
2* A Marriage Under the Terror
2* Beggar's Choice
4* The Astonishing Adventure of Jane Smith: A Golden Age Mystery
3.5* Mr. Zero
TR Danger Point (Miss Silver, #4)
TR Latter End (Miss Silver, #11)
TR Wicked Uncle (Miss Silver, #12)
TR The Catherine Wheel (Miss Silver, #16)
TR The Brading Collection (Miss Silver, #17)
TR Poison in the Pen (Miss Silver, #29)
TR Devil's Wind
TR The Fire Within
TR The Black Cabinet
TR Danger Calling
TR Run!
3* Grey Mask (Miss Silver, #1)
4* The Case Is Closed (Miss Silver, #2)
4* Lonesome Road (Miss Silver, #3)
4* The Chinese Shawl (Miss Silver, #5)
3* Miss Silver Deals With Death (Miss Silver, #6)
3* The Clock Strikes Twelve (Miss Silver, #7)
4* The Key (Miss Silver, #8)
4* She Came Back (Miss Silver, #9)
4* Pilgrim's Rest (Miss Silver, #10)
3* The Case of William Smith (Miss Silver, #13)
4* Eternity Ring (Miss Silver, #14)
4* Miss Silver Comes to Stay (Miss Silver, #15)
2* The Ivory Dagger (Miss Silver, #19)
4* Out of the Past (Miss Silver, #23)
3* The Benevent Treasure (Miss Silver, #26)
2* A Marriage Under the Terror
2* Beggar's Choice
4* The Astonishing Adventure of Jane Smith: A Golden Age Mystery
3.5* Mr. Zero
TR Danger Point (Miss Silver, #4)
TR Latter End (Miss Silver, #11)
TR Wicked Uncle (Miss Silver, #12)
TR The Catherine Wheel (Miss Silver, #16)
TR The Brading Collection (Miss Silver, #17)
TR Poison in the Pen (Miss Silver, #29)
TR Devil's Wind
TR The Fire Within
TR The Black Cabinet
TR Danger Calling
TR Run!
May 14, 2015
This wasn't a great mystery, but I enjoyed the characters and the simplicity of it. Sometimes thats nice.
October 23, 2025
I love Patricia Wentworth novels. I've read her entire Miss Silver series of more than thirty mysteries written between 1928 and 1961. I wish there were more of them. She also wrote three other short series of books and about twenty-five stand-alone novels. "Mr. Zero" is one of Wentworth's stand-alone stories, written in 1938.
All of Wentworth's stories are small stories in that they don't involve plots to blow up the world. They are mysteries of theft or murder involving ordinary people and families caught in some nefarious doings as they go about their daily lives in or near London. "Mr. Zero" drifts a little from that common thread, as central to the story is a scheme to steal information from the Home Secretary. Mr. Zero is our villain, and his identity is unknown until the culmination of our story.
The plot involves Mr. Zero blackmailing the ditsy young wife of a prominent, successful businessman who has important contracts with His Majesty's Government. Although the dimwitted, virtually brainless, beautiful wife is a central character in our story, the protagonists are her cousin and sometime friend, Gay Hardwicke, and an up-and-coming young man, Algy Somers, who may or may not be falling in love with Gay. With or without Gay's encouragement, Algy is pulled into a position of suspicion because he works for the Home Secretary and has had access to the papers and information that is targeted by the scheme and subsequently stolen.
That's as much of the plot as I'll provide, but I will give you reasons to read Ms. Wentworth's story. She is a brilliant storyteller and master of using dialogue to define who and what her characters are while she advances her story. Every story is a balance between background, character development, and plot movement. Some authors lean far too heavily toward background and motivation, or detailed descriptions of the color of the drapes or paint on the garden furniture. Wentworth stories are always well-balanced, and they never allow her readers to get bogged down in too much detail. She gives us just enough supporting information, mixed with an effective use of dialogue.
"Mr. Zero" is a typical Wentworth page-turner. We want the good guys to succeed, and the bad guys to fail. In many of her mysteries, with this one being no exception, she keeps us guessing who the villain/s is/are until the denouement, but she never leaves her readers hanging and wondering who did what to whom or why. As was often the case with Patricia Wentworth novels, I find myself sorry that the story has ended. I loved "Mr. Zero," and think you will, too.
All of Wentworth's stories are small stories in that they don't involve plots to blow up the world. They are mysteries of theft or murder involving ordinary people and families caught in some nefarious doings as they go about their daily lives in or near London. "Mr. Zero" drifts a little from that common thread, as central to the story is a scheme to steal information from the Home Secretary. Mr. Zero is our villain, and his identity is unknown until the culmination of our story.
The plot involves Mr. Zero blackmailing the ditsy young wife of a prominent, successful businessman who has important contracts with His Majesty's Government. Although the dimwitted, virtually brainless, beautiful wife is a central character in our story, the protagonists are her cousin and sometime friend, Gay Hardwicke, and an up-and-coming young man, Algy Somers, who may or may not be falling in love with Gay. With or without Gay's encouragement, Algy is pulled into a position of suspicion because he works for the Home Secretary and has had access to the papers and information that is targeted by the scheme and subsequently stolen.
That's as much of the plot as I'll provide, but I will give you reasons to read Ms. Wentworth's story. She is a brilliant storyteller and master of using dialogue to define who and what her characters are while she advances her story. Every story is a balance between background, character development, and plot movement. Some authors lean far too heavily toward background and motivation, or detailed descriptions of the color of the drapes or paint on the garden furniture. Wentworth stories are always well-balanced, and they never allow her readers to get bogged down in too much detail. She gives us just enough supporting information, mixed with an effective use of dialogue.
"Mr. Zero" is a typical Wentworth page-turner. We want the good guys to succeed, and the bad guys to fail. In many of her mysteries, with this one being no exception, she keeps us guessing who the villain/s is/are until the denouement, but she never leaves her readers hanging and wondering who did what to whom or why. As was often the case with Patricia Wentworth novels, I find myself sorry that the story has ended. I loved "Mr. Zero," and think you will, too.
July 30, 2024
It's a jolly, old-fashioned blackmail, espionage and treason tale with murderers, murderees, willing and unwilling accomplices and 'helpful' happy amateurs. There were some lovely humorous notes, well rounded characters and some terrific derring do. The plot did eventually hang together, but it was a bit shaky.
My first Patricia Wentworth without Miss Silver and once I got used to her not being there I was able to settle in and enjoy the book.
My first Patricia Wentworth without Miss Silver and once I got used to her not being there I was able to settle in and enjoy the book.
January 25, 2018
Oh my gracious, what twaddle! A good read for on the train, I expect, and rather formulaic, especially with the daft young woman and the smart young lady and the utterly honorable young man (Did Wentworth put these characters in ALL her books, or what?) Very much of an Interwar English mystery with lots of impractical skullduggery.
Read
February 18, 2022Another of Wentworth's mysteries with family intrigue, espionage, and a few red herrings. Her writing skill is especially obvious when she makes an interesting character out of a dim-witted, self-centered one with a pivotal role. I managed to guess the bad guy, but enjoyed the book nevertheless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2022
not up to snuff
I adore Patricia Wentworth and reread my favourites over and over. This one. Blah. I couldn’t get interested in any of the characters, let alone the lovers and one person f the characters was too over the top annoying. I recommend giving this one a big miss.
I adore Patricia Wentworth and reread my favourites over and over. This one. Blah. I couldn’t get interested in any of the characters, let alone the lovers and one person f the characters was too over the top annoying. I recommend giving this one a big miss.
July 20, 2022
A pretty good adventure story. As in almost all novels by Ms Wentworth, there's a charming young couple being kept apart by fate. Unfortunately, one of the main viewpoint characters is so unbelievably stupid that it spoiled my enjoyment of certain chapters.
August 3, 2018
Not one of Wentworth's best, but a nice twist at the end.
January 15, 2019
Very enjoyable, very fun read.
February 23, 2020
Superb Mystery
Patricia Wentworth is the Queen of Murder mysteries, at least equal to Agatha Christie. This is another example of a superb mystery. Any mystery fan will love it!
Patricia Wentworth is the Queen of Murder mysteries, at least equal to Agatha Christie. This is another example of a superb mystery. Any mystery fan will love it!
April 15, 2020
Good read
March 13, 2021
One of the better non-Miss Silver books I've read, for sure — though the main character almost ends up being the guy, which was different!
September 29, 2025
This was OK just kind of boring.
June 6, 2015
Not part of the Miss Silver series, in this standalone novel Wentworth tries her hand at Home Office intrigue. Who has stolen vital papers from the Home Secretary's room at a house party? Was it one of his secretaries, who also just happens to be his cousin? Who shot Sir Francis--his lovely airheaded wife, or someone else? And--a bigger question to my mind--would the Home Secretary (aka Secretary of State) really take vital, confidential papers with him to a house party weekend and just leave them lying around in someone else's house? Mind you, more than one British government employee has left a laptop crammed with confidential materials on a train, or in a wine bar, or whatever, so who knows.
Another mystery for me is how The Girl remembers the layout of the grounds of a large country estate, in detail and in the dark, that she only visited once, a year previously, in full daylight. The magic of fiction means she does, well enough to move about in the dark through rose gardens and yew alleys, without so much as stumbling or turning her ankle. And of course everyone remembers minutely where they were and what they were doing and who said what to whom when, every minute of every day. But then period cosies are like that. Me, I can't remember what I did last Tuesday morning, but then I'm a real person.
A good mindless read; the characters were entertaining and the clothes were lovely, even though I figured out who The Bad Guy was less than half way through.
Another mystery for me is how The Girl remembers the layout of the grounds of a large country estate, in detail and in the dark, that she only visited once, a year previously, in full daylight. The magic of fiction means she does, well enough to move about in the dark through rose gardens and yew alleys, without so much as stumbling or turning her ankle. And of course everyone remembers minutely where they were and what they were doing and who said what to whom when, every minute of every day. But then period cosies are like that. Me, I can't remember what I did last Tuesday morning, but then I'm a real person.
A good mindless read; the characters were entertaining and the clothes were lovely, even though I figured out who The Bad Guy was less than half way through.
October 22, 2017
To my great shame, I never read anything by Patricia Wentworth before, despite being a fan of the Golden Age era crime mysteries. By pure chance, Kobo recommended me this very book, and the free preview included an extensive introduction by Curtis Evans (it was the Dean Street Press edition); I ended by reading the 2016 edition by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.
65 mystery novels, of which 32 featuring Miss Silver (I take she’s a sort of a younger Miss Marple), and I never considered reading any of them! Well, here I went, although I’m told that “Mr. Zero” is not one of her best accomplishments; it may even be one of her worst!
As a matter of fact, I wasn’t impressed much. Definitely too simplistic. A cute cosy mystery nonetheless. I should rather suspect the Miss Silver series is a better choice, or maybe one of the novels featuring Frank Garrett, Ernest Lamb or Bembow Smith.
65 mystery novels, of which 32 featuring Miss Silver (I take she’s a sort of a younger Miss Marple), and I never considered reading any of them! Well, here I went, although I’m told that “Mr. Zero” is not one of her best accomplishments; it may even be one of her worst!
As a matter of fact, I wasn’t impressed much. Definitely too simplistic. A cute cosy mystery nonetheless. I should rather suspect the Miss Silver series is a better choice, or maybe one of the novels featuring Frank Garrett, Ernest Lamb or Bembow Smith.
August 28, 2015
Not my favorite Patricia Wentworth. The heroine, Gay Hardwicke, get roped into a situation caused by her dopey cousin Sylvia. Gay brings along her friend Algy Somers, an honest and hardworking secretary to the Home Office's much valued Montague Lushington. Before you can say bob's-my-uncle Algy is suspected of being Murder #1.
This is not a Miss Silver book but some of the minor characters are fun. A nice picture of upper class England in 1938.
This is not a Miss Silver book but some of the minor characters are fun. A nice picture of upper class England in 1938.
January 17, 2010
A slightly predictable cozy, a fun look at shenanigans among the British upper class in the 40s era. The lovely but dimwitted Lady Sylvia Colesborough has gotten herself into trouble, and needs her cousin Gay Hardwicke to help extricate her. In her attempts to help Sylvia, Gay accidentally implicates her boyfriend Algy Somers for murder.
February 5, 2023
Not as good as the Miss Silver books but it was a bit of fun. One would like to throttle the idiot Sylvia, but Gay Hardwicke & Algy Somers are very likeable characters, & Monty Lushington sounds like a very good fellow too. The adventure is a bit silly, some light murder & mayhem, but it's amusing & easy to read.
October 15, 2023
Enjoyable, but there is a ludicrous part after the murder where a previously sensible character
March 2, 2009
I enjoy Patricia Wentworth's predicitability in characterization of refined English ladies being spunky, but the female protagonist was a little too weak and fluttering for me. The plot was fun.
July 7, 2012
I think I actually enjoyed this more without Miss Silver. Definitely going to try and read the other non- miss silver books.
April 26, 2024
Very fun read, likeable characters and Sylvia was very funny. I loved Gay and Algy (although not their names).
July 4, 2012
Good Whodunit
April 17, 2017
This mystery is sure not as complicated as the Ian Rankin I just finished. It's a nice and easy mystery with better characters than Rankin's but a light tale.
I like how Rendell played a lot of literary games involving a sheath of various papers in a who's-got-it fashion. This was written as World War II was well brewing all around her and that influence was evident. The characters involved are all very well written. Especially the dingy Sylvie. I can't imagine writing someone like her as well as Rendell did. She must have known one just like her. Sylvia added quite a bit of levity to the entire story.
The story is paced well with so much pointing to one as being the bad guy all the while narratively telling us where he really was. Rendell could've inverted that effort as someone like Rankin had, but her approach is more realistic and puts the reader in two places at once.
The writing could've been stronger at points. Maybe this was a bit rushed. Nevertheless...
Bottom line: i recommend this book. 7 out of ten points.
I like how Rendell played a lot of literary games involving a sheath of various papers in a who's-got-it fashion. This was written as World War II was well brewing all around her and that influence was evident. The characters involved are all very well written. Especially the dingy Sylvie. I can't imagine writing someone like her as well as Rendell did. She must have known one just like her. Sylvia added quite a bit of levity to the entire story.
The story is paced well with so much pointing to one as being the bad guy all the while narratively telling us where he really was. Rendell could've inverted that effort as someone like Rankin had, but her approach is more realistic and puts the reader in two places at once.
The writing could've been stronger at points. Maybe this was a bit rushed. Nevertheless...
Bottom line: i recommend this book. 7 out of ten points.
February 21, 2018
This is the sort of book that makes me very happy: stylish, witty fluff with missing documents and elegant clothes, dinner parties and country houses, nightclubs and and cocktails, and characters with names like Algernon and Montagu and Lady Colesborough. When a book like this is well done, as this one is, it's pure pleasure to me.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews