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Sir John Appleby #15
Appleby Talks Again: 18 Detective Stories
From a British mystery author “in a class by himself among detective story writers,” eighteen classic crime stories, perfect for astute armchair detectives (The Times Literary Supplement).Scandal is at stake for London’s fashionable society when Edwardian playwright Richard Dangerfield’s sordid diary falls into the hands of a blackmailer. Though Dangerfield is long dead, those who consorted with him are all very much alive and at the respectable old age where they’d hoped such stories would follow them to their graves. Fortunately, Scotland Yard’s most brilliant inspector is on the case. Sir John Appleby wittily reveals his intellectual prowess in solving this crime, as well as seventeen other puzzling mysteries in this stimulating collection of short stories. From acclaimed Scottish author Michael Innes, Appleby Talks Again is a must-read for fans of classic crime fiction.Praise for Michael Innes and the Inspector Appleby series“Wickedly witty.” —Daily Mail“As farfetched and literary as Sayers” —The Cambridge Companion to Crime Fiction
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1956
37 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Michael Innes
119 books88 followersMichael Innes was the pseudonym of John Innes MacKintosh (J.I.M.) Stewart (J.I.M. Stewart).
He was born in Edinburgh, and educated at Edinburgh Academy and Oriel College, Oxford. He was Lecturer in English at the University of Leeds from 1930 - 1935, and spent the succeeding ten years as Jury Professor of English at the University of Adelaide, South Australia.
He returned to the United Kingdom in 1949, to become a Lecturer at the Queen's University of Belfast. In 1949 he became a Student (Fellow) of Christ Church, Oxford, becoming a Professor by the time of his retirement in 1973.
As J.I.M. Stewart he published a number of works of non-fiction, mainly critical studies of authors, including Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling, as well as about twenty works of fiction and a memoir, 'Myself and Michael Innes'.
As Michael Innes, he published numerous mystery novels and short story collections, most featuring the Scotland Yard detective John Appleby.
He was born in Edinburgh, and educated at Edinburgh Academy and Oriel College, Oxford. He was Lecturer in English at the University of Leeds from 1930 - 1935, and spent the succeeding ten years as Jury Professor of English at the University of Adelaide, South Australia.
He returned to the United Kingdom in 1949, to become a Lecturer at the Queen's University of Belfast. In 1949 he became a Student (Fellow) of Christ Church, Oxford, becoming a Professor by the time of his retirement in 1973.
As J.I.M. Stewart he published a number of works of non-fiction, mainly critical studies of authors, including Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling, as well as about twenty works of fiction and a memoir, 'Myself and Michael Innes'.
As Michael Innes, he published numerous mystery novels and short story collections, most featuring the Scotland Yard detective John Appleby.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 22, 2018
Illusion and deception, these are the themes linking the seventeen stories of varied length presented here. The most successful are “A Matter of Goblins”, “Grey’s Ghost”, and “The Four Seasons”, the latter having shades of M.R. James. Some of the shorter entries are little more than sketches which may have been ideas for novels never written.
Many demonstrate the author’s love of language, literature and visual art. Overall, this was a less satisfying collection than the earlier “Appleby Talks”, but I may simply have read them too close together.
It might be better to treat this as a book to be dipped into, rather than read at one sitting - small chocolate eclairs, however delicious, ought not to be consumed in quantity, all at once.
Thank you to NetGalley and Agora Books for the digital review copy.
Many demonstrate the author’s love of language, literature and visual art. Overall, this was a less satisfying collection than the earlier “Appleby Talks”, but I may simply have read them too close together.
It might be better to treat this as a book to be dipped into, rather than read at one sitting - small chocolate eclairs, however delicious, ought not to be consumed in quantity, all at once.
Thank you to NetGalley and Agora Books for the digital review copy.
May 2, 2025
Great stories featuring a unique detective
These stories show why Michael Innes is so highly regarded among mystery writers. An Oxford don, he was not only intelligent, but had a broad base of knowledge. That and a lively imagination enabled him to create some outstanding mysteries.
His detective is Sir John Appleby of Scotland Yard. Appleby is something of a mystery himself. His creator makes only glancing references to his background and some of those contradict each other. He seems to have come from a working-class family and raised himself through scholarships.
In the tradition of English detectives (Peter Wimsey, Roderick Alleyn, Albert Campion) he has an independent, talented wife. Judith Appleby is a sculptor who appears in several of these stories. There are children, but they are referred to only briefly and not by name. Sir John and Lady Appleby follow the upper-class English tradition of letting the paid staff raise their children. Did Innes and his wife do the same or was this wishful thinking on the part of the writer?
Some of the stories involve current cases and are told in third person as they occur. Others are stories Sir John tells at gatherings (everyone expects a cop to have good stories) or to a friend who has access to Appleby's "museum" (bits and pieces he's saved from old cases.) It's interesting that the friend isn't shy about hinting that Appleby is a bit of a blowhard who likes to make his cases sound more important than they were.
The first case may not involve a crime, just an odd situation the Applebys got into because of Lady Appleby's interest in old houses. A long-suffering husband, Sir John goes along with her to Water Place and discovers a mystery that ends in a death. Murder or an accident?
The others are the kind of cases that would fall to a senior officer in the Metropolitan Police. A scientist involved in government research disappears. Is he on the dirty weekend with a young girl he has a crush on or has he been kidnapped? Expensive jewelry is always going missing. Women insist on traveling with their "sparklers" and thieves know that the small travel case belonging to a rich woman probably contains something worth stealing.
After the chaos of WWII, identities were difficult to establish. One badly-injured man returns from war and claims his inheritance. Sir John must help decide if he's legit or an imposter. A old diary containing information that would be embarrasssing to several prominent people is missing. Who stole it or was it stolen at all?
A famous novelist has taken advantage of the talents of a ghost writer without adequate compensation. Now the "ghost" has come back to haunt him. Is this even possible or has the writer gone 'round the bend? Three cases involve works of art. Even if a valuable painting or sculpture can't be resold on the open market, there are collectors who will knowingly buy stolen art.
What used to be called "captains of industry" are frequently in danger. Their trade secrets are valuable to their rivals, but sometimes the danger is closer. Research projects that might lead to valuable inventions can be tricky. Those involved may be happy to work together toward a common goal or they may prefer to grab all the glory (and money) for themselves.
Brothers can be competitive where there's a family business to be inherited. Sons or grandsons or nephews may not be willing to wait until the family patriarch dies a natural death. Some want their inheritance NOW.
One case seems too trivial for Scotland Yard to get involved. A hard-working greengrocer is murdered while making his rounds. Who commits murder to steal vegetables?
Appleby has his own style. While some detectives (Roderick Alleyn, for example) seek information by being genial, Appleby takes a stern approach. He introduces himself as "SIR John Appleby" and scolds and threatens people into telling him what he wants to know. Not a nice guy, although he gets results.
I'm also puzzled as to when he was awarded his knighthood. He retired early, then went back to work as Commissioner of Scotland Yard. It's common for high level police officials to be rewarded with a lifetime knighthood on retirement. But it appears he was made a knight while still in the ranks. He introduces himself as "Sir John Appleby, an assistant commissioner of Scotland Yard."
No idea how many assistant commissioners there are, but it's unlikely they are awarded knighthoods. Was Innes so anxious to move his detective up the social ladder that he jumped the gun? Another puzzle is why Innes himself was never recognized for his work. Many lesser talents received knighthoods and as a Scot Innes was eligible. Was he overlooked or was he offered one and refused?
These stories show why Michael Innes is so highly regarded among mystery writers. An Oxford don, he was not only intelligent, but had a broad base of knowledge. That and a lively imagination enabled him to create some outstanding mysteries.
His detective is Sir John Appleby of Scotland Yard. Appleby is something of a mystery himself. His creator makes only glancing references to his background and some of those contradict each other. He seems to have come from a working-class family and raised himself through scholarships.
In the tradition of English detectives (Peter Wimsey, Roderick Alleyn, Albert Campion) he has an independent, talented wife. Judith Appleby is a sculptor who appears in several of these stories. There are children, but they are referred to only briefly and not by name. Sir John and Lady Appleby follow the upper-class English tradition of letting the paid staff raise their children. Did Innes and his wife do the same or was this wishful thinking on the part of the writer?
Some of the stories involve current cases and are told in third person as they occur. Others are stories Sir John tells at gatherings (everyone expects a cop to have good stories) or to a friend who has access to Appleby's "museum" (bits and pieces he's saved from old cases.) It's interesting that the friend isn't shy about hinting that Appleby is a bit of a blowhard who likes to make his cases sound more important than they were.
The first case may not involve a crime, just an odd situation the Applebys got into because of Lady Appleby's interest in old houses. A long-suffering husband, Sir John goes along with her to Water Place and discovers a mystery that ends in a death. Murder or an accident?
The others are the kind of cases that would fall to a senior officer in the Metropolitan Police. A scientist involved in government research disappears. Is he on the dirty weekend with a young girl he has a crush on or has he been kidnapped? Expensive jewelry is always going missing. Women insist on traveling with their "sparklers" and thieves know that the small travel case belonging to a rich woman probably contains something worth stealing.
After the chaos of WWII, identities were difficult to establish. One badly-injured man returns from war and claims his inheritance. Sir John must help decide if he's legit or an imposter. A old diary containing information that would be embarrasssing to several prominent people is missing. Who stole it or was it stolen at all?
A famous novelist has taken advantage of the talents of a ghost writer without adequate compensation. Now the "ghost" has come back to haunt him. Is this even possible or has the writer gone 'round the bend? Three cases involve works of art. Even if a valuable painting or sculpture can't be resold on the open market, there are collectors who will knowingly buy stolen art.
What used to be called "captains of industry" are frequently in danger. Their trade secrets are valuable to their rivals, but sometimes the danger is closer. Research projects that might lead to valuable inventions can be tricky. Those involved may be happy to work together toward a common goal or they may prefer to grab all the glory (and money) for themselves.
Brothers can be competitive where there's a family business to be inherited. Sons or grandsons or nephews may not be willing to wait until the family patriarch dies a natural death. Some want their inheritance NOW.
One case seems too trivial for Scotland Yard to get involved. A hard-working greengrocer is murdered while making his rounds. Who commits murder to steal vegetables?
Appleby has his own style. While some detectives (Roderick Alleyn, for example) seek information by being genial, Appleby takes a stern approach. He introduces himself as "SIR John Appleby" and scolds and threatens people into telling him what he wants to know. Not a nice guy, although he gets results.
I'm also puzzled as to when he was awarded his knighthood. He retired early, then went back to work as Commissioner of Scotland Yard. It's common for high level police officials to be rewarded with a lifetime knighthood on retirement. But it appears he was made a knight while still in the ranks. He introduces himself as "Sir John Appleby, an assistant commissioner of Scotland Yard."
No idea how many assistant commissioners there are, but it's unlikely they are awarded knighthoods. Was Innes so anxious to move his detective up the social ladder that he jumped the gun? Another puzzle is why Innes himself was never recognized for his work. Many lesser talents received knighthoods and as a Scot Innes was eligible. Was he overlooked or was he offered one and refused?
January 7, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Appleby Talks Again is a re-release of the 15th book in the Inspector Appleby series. Written by Michael Innes and originally published in 1954, this collection of 16 stories, one novella, and a chapter excerpt, is now reformatted and available to a new generation of classic mystery readers.
The Appleby books are humorous light reading. Most of them are pastiches having the format of Sir John at a party or other social occasion, retelling what happened previously concerning a case. Many of these included stories are very cleverly constructed and the short format means that the plotting is very spare and fast paced. I was interested to see that the ersatz art dealer Mr. Braunkopf makes cameo appearances in several of these stories. He (Braunkopf a.k.a Hildebert Brown) first appeared in the very first Appleby mystery, 1952's A Private View ( One Man Show in the USA).
The included stories in this collection are a mixed lot, but I would put the majority in the 3.5 - 4.5 star range. They are humorous, light, comical, and quintessentially British. There is nothing objectionable or graphic.
I enjoyed them all.
Worth noting for Kindle Unlimited subscribers many (most) of the Inspector Appleby books are available for download in the KU subscription for free.
Four stars, comfort reading.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Appleby Talks Again is a re-release of the 15th book in the Inspector Appleby series. Written by Michael Innes and originally published in 1954, this collection of 16 stories, one novella, and a chapter excerpt, is now reformatted and available to a new generation of classic mystery readers.
The Appleby books are humorous light reading. Most of them are pastiches having the format of Sir John at a party or other social occasion, retelling what happened previously concerning a case. Many of these included stories are very cleverly constructed and the short format means that the plotting is very spare and fast paced. I was interested to see that the ersatz art dealer Mr. Braunkopf makes cameo appearances in several of these stories. He (Braunkopf a.k.a Hildebert Brown) first appeared in the very first Appleby mystery, 1952's A Private View ( One Man Show in the USA).
The included stories in this collection are a mixed lot, but I would put the majority in the 3.5 - 4.5 star range. They are humorous, light, comical, and quintessentially British. There is nothing objectionable or graphic.
I enjoyed them all.
Worth noting for Kindle Unlimited subscribers many (most) of the Inspector Appleby books are available for download in the KU subscription for free.
Four stars, comfort reading.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
December 15, 2018
A quick and enjoyable read - even though a few of these mysteries were confounding to me. I particularly like the stories in which Appleby regales a dinner party in these collections, as the party-goers usually interject with the same frustrations or questions that I have. Perfect while tucked up in bed with a cup of tea (or brandy). Recommended!
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2021
Old fashioned.
But pretty good. I’ve read quite a few short stories from the early part of the twentieth century. A writer thinks of some strange fact he can twist into a mystery story: an unusual poison, a new drug if some kind, or simply a sign that could be read wrong from a certain view..then you make your mystery turn on that one thing.
Coolant figure out what the last chapter was though…
But pretty good. I’ve read quite a few short stories from the early part of the twentieth century. A writer thinks of some strange fact he can twist into a mystery story: an unusual poison, a new drug if some kind, or simply a sign that could be read wrong from a certain view..then you make your mystery turn on that one thing.
Coolant figure out what the last chapter was though…
January 26, 2019
Not as good as Appleby Talks, perhaps because it lacks the smoky gentleman's club atmosphere to which I'm partial, but an enjoyable read on a winter's evening. However - and I don't believe it constitutes a spoiler to say this - too many of these stories used the tape recorder (cutting edge technology at the time) as a plot device.
August 7, 2019
A set of short stories featuring the urbane Sir John Appleby and his aristocratic wife Judith. Most of these fall under the heading of "Sir John Appleby tells a story by the fire side", a little like Miss Marple and her Tuesday Mystery club. All of the stories have an ingenious twists -substitutions, impersonations, sleight of hand, that sort of thing. Nothing too deep, but fun to read.
December 3, 2021
Short stories
Some quite entertaining short stories and a lot of half baked ones. It’s almost as if the author jotted down some ideas and didn’t bother to follow them through.
Appleby, the detective, comes to improbable solutions to improbable crimes. Rubs it in what a certain class of people weee like in the fifties.
Some quite entertaining short stories and a lot of half baked ones. It’s almost as if the author jotted down some ideas and didn’t bother to follow them through.
Appleby, the detective, comes to improbable solutions to improbable crimes. Rubs it in what a certain class of people weee like in the fifties.
September 2, 2022
A collection of short detective stories. The majority are very short (5 pages or fewer) and turn on a single idea, clue or insight. As such, some people may find them a bit artifical, but I rather enjoyed them. And their length means they are great for travelling or other situations with queues.
February 17, 2023
A pleasantly diverting collection of murder mystery tales. Appleby has more prominence and presence in the short form, though many of these stories give the impression of being little more than too-good-to-throw-away ideas that Innes dismissed as lacking substance for a novel.
September 8, 2025
Rating 3
January 7, 2021
I haven't read a lot of the Appleby books but I hear about Innes' work on the Classic Mysteries podcast quite often. That made me very excited to see this book on NetGalley and even more delighted to get the ARC. The stories are interesting but very short which makes it hard for a plot to really develop. They were interesting, to be sure but I also felt the lack of character development. I really suspect it would be different had I read more Appleby stories.
Although it may not be. I recently started reading this book again and... I don't remember most of these stories. They are engaging but, as I mentioned before, some are very short which is actually sort of impressive, Innes creating a story in just a page or three.
Although it may not be. I recently started reading this book again and... I don't remember most of these stories. They are engaging but, as I mentioned before, some are very short which is actually sort of impressive, Innes creating a story in just a page or three.
August 9, 2012
The Duke of Edinburgh was once asked, as he got of a flight to Australia "how was the flight, Sir?". He replied "Have you ever flown from London to Sydney? Well, it was like that."
So. Have you ever read an Inspector Appleby book? This one's like those. Not so much predictable as reassuring. Clubby, elegant in a staunchly English middle-class way. I love 'em, but I realise they're not for everyone. I'd give it five cups of tea. I'd feel silly giving it five stars.
February 10, 2010
The first story in this collection 'A Matter of Goblins' is acceptably structured and closes convincingly. Alas, all the other stories are raw unfinished sketches that, it seems, Innes never got around to revising. They all contain highly ingenious plots but none of the plots is convincingly developed.
August 12, 2014
Sir John Appleby is featured in each of these stories--most of them super-short. As befits the husband of a sculptor, he finds himself involved in many crimes that are art-related. Enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews