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Carolus Deene #12
Such Is Death
Someone very, very clever planned this murder: the place, a remote shelter on the promenade at Selby-on-Sea; the occasion, a blustery evening in late November; the victim, somebody ready-made for a crack-of-doom from a coal hammer. Diary notes indicate someone had been planning the "ideal" murder, one which no police, no detective could solve. The murderer's gratification would be wholly cerebral, a triumph of mind over matter. However, the murderer had not counted on the clever, tenacious, unpredictable mind of that unique schoolmaster, Carolus Deene.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 13, 2015
Absolutely loved this book! Carolus Deene is a schoolmaster "hired" by a well-to-do family in a small seaside town to more or less clear their names from police suspicion in a brutal seaside murder, as they are the only suspects with a motive. Deene is an attractive character, and the humor in the writing is wonderful in both descriptions and dialogue. The two sisters Bruce describes, Doris and Vivienne, who tend bar at the inn where he stays, are delightfully described. In fact, all the characters were easy to keep straight because he gave them all interesting and distinctive tags. I'm a sucker for the traditional mystery and this one is fairly clued. I love the old mysteries where the detective lays it all out logically in the end. This was my first Leo Bruce novel and I'll definitely be reading the rest of them. Four and a half stars!
January 31, 2019
"Someone very, very clever planned this murder: the place, a remote shelter on the promenade at Selby-on-Sea; the occasion, a blustery evening in late November; the victim, somebody ready-made for a crack-of-doom from a coal hammer. Diary notes indicate that someone has been planning the 'ideal' murder, one which n o police, no9 detective could solve. The murderer's gratification w3ould be wholly cerebral, a triumph of mind over matter. However, the murderer had not counted on the clever, tenacious, unpredictable mind of that unique schoolmaster, Carolus Deene. "
~~back cover
A stunning plot & a stunning ending. The reader is "treated" to the mind of the murderer: how he (or she) plots each element to make sure there is no clue to his or her identity, gender ... and certainly motive. There is no motive, other than the murderer's overwhelming desire to commit the perfect murder. What could possibly go wrong?
~~back cover
A stunning plot & a stunning ending. The reader is "treated" to the mind of the murderer: how he (or she) plots each element to make sure there is no clue to his or her identity, gender ... and certainly motive. There is no motive, other than the murderer's overwhelming desire to commit the perfect murder. What could possibly go wrong?
November 25, 2020
In the first chapter you are given a clear message from the murderer. Then there is a murder. A person who thinks Carolus Deene can help resolve the murder stain from the family comes and hires him. Over Christmas break he goes to the location to investigate.
We know something that Carolus doesn't to begin with, but together with him we don't know who the murderer is. The fine tooth interviews and viewing the location etc... is what leads Carolus in the right direction and there is a slip, that he catches.
The author does a great job at revealing all sorts of people in short interludes. A well written mystery, that sets a challenge to the reader and fictional sleuth!
We know something that Carolus doesn't to begin with, but together with him we don't know who the murderer is. The fine tooth interviews and viewing the location etc... is what leads Carolus in the right direction and there is a slip, that he catches.
The author does a great job at revealing all sorts of people in short interludes. A well written mystery, that sets a challenge to the reader and fictional sleuth!
August 6, 2008
The Carolus Deene Mysteries are wonderful because of the fantastic dialogs and characterizations. The exchanges between characters are witty and hilarious. Old fashioned plots, very entertaining. They would be wonderful read aloud.
January 3, 2014
One of Bruce's better stories. Very readable and with good characters and dialogue although a rather improbable ending. I enjoyed it.
June 3, 2024
Someone is planning the perfect murder, which no one will be able to solve. This is according to the writings in their diary. It has been in the planning, down to the finest detail, for quite some time. The satisfaction won’t be the riddance of the victim — it will be the accomplishment and lack of solution of the event.
A small seaside resort in winter. A promenade empty of evening strollers and not well lit. The victim a random choice. The weapon to be an unusual tool. All is perfect.
The “fly in the ointment” will be Carolus Deene, a schoolmaster with a high success rate of solving murders. Detective Inspector John Moore was given the case and it is he who calls Deene in to assist.
The murder is accomplished, but there are some matters that could provide clues. People were on the promenade that night. The victim had just arrived in town and had been noticed by a few locals. He actually had relatives in town, but had been declared dead due to missing during the war. There are suspects and possible reasons but sorting it out will take Deene and his analytical mind.
Another enjoyable read from the Carolus Deene series.
A small seaside resort in winter. A promenade empty of evening strollers and not well lit. The victim a random choice. The weapon to be an unusual tool. All is perfect.
The “fly in the ointment” will be Carolus Deene, a schoolmaster with a high success rate of solving murders. Detective Inspector John Moore was given the case and it is he who calls Deene in to assist.
The murder is accomplished, but there are some matters that could provide clues. People were on the promenade that night. The victim had just arrived in town and had been noticed by a few locals. He actually had relatives in town, but had been declared dead due to missing during the war. There are suspects and possible reasons but sorting it out will take Deene and his analytical mind.
Another enjoyable read from the Carolus Deene series.
December 17, 2022
Standard English murder mystery set in countryside resort during Christmas holidays; the twist is that the murderer states in chapter 1 that he intends to commit the perfect crime - a murder with no motive, no evidence, no witnesses - sounds like an interesting premise. He proceeds with his plan only to realize that not everything went according to plan; however, the police are baffled. They call amateur sleuth Carolus Deene to solve it. He does so by interviewing all townspeople who were remotely connected to the crime scene, and his ability to listen carefully to all details leads to the solution. Nothing special. Difficult reading at times due to stilted dialogue and somewhat meandering narrative.
March 10, 2020
Witty and entertaining.
The Carolus Deene saga is one of my very favorite series of Mystery novels. Well-written and humorous variations on the British "cozy", Deene is a school master of independent means, who solves murders as a hobby, to the distress of his headmaster, who is always fearful that his school's reputation will somehow be tarnished by the publicity surrounding Deene's current investigation.
The Carolus Deene saga is one of my very favorite series of Mystery novels. Well-written and humorous variations on the British "cozy", Deene is a school master of independent means, who solves murders as a hobby, to the distress of his headmaster, who is always fearful that his school's reputation will somehow be tarnished by the publicity surrounding Deene's current investigation.
January 1, 2018
(4.5 stars) Ingenious and very funny. An excellent read.
September 30, 2012
interesting twist in the end
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews