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Chief Inspector Littlejohn #24
Death in Room Five
Inspector Littlejohn confronts a challenging case across the Channel in this classic mystery from the “venerable” British author (Kirkus Reviews).
When Alderman Dawson is stabbed to death while visiting the Riviera with a group of English tourists, Inspector Littlejohn puts his holiday on hold to assist the French police. But the suspects are plentiful. The culprit could be one of Dawson’s fellow travelers—or perhaps someone who encountered him years ago during World War II. While Littlejohn fends off complaints from the impatient members of the tour group and delves into potential motives, he can only hope that his investigation doesn’t go south along with his much-needed vacation. . . .
“One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story . . . his adroit ironic Inspector Littlejohn is one of the more popular members of the fictional C.I.D.” —The New York Times
“Mr. Bellairs always gives good value.” —The Sunday Times
When Alderman Dawson is stabbed to death while visiting the Riviera with a group of English tourists, Inspector Littlejohn puts his holiday on hold to assist the French police. But the suspects are plentiful. The culprit could be one of Dawson’s fellow travelers—or perhaps someone who encountered him years ago during World War II. While Littlejohn fends off complaints from the impatient members of the tour group and delves into potential motives, he can only hope that his investigation doesn’t go south along with his much-needed vacation. . . .
“One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story . . . his adroit ironic Inspector Littlejohn is one of the more popular members of the fictional C.I.D.” —The New York Times
“Mr. Bellairs always gives good value.” —The Sunday Times
217 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1955
226 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
George Bellairs
73 books100 followersAKA Hilary Landon
George Bellairs is the nom de plume of Harold Blundell, a crime writer and bank manager born in Heywood, near Rochdale, Lancashire, who settled in the Isle of Man on retirement. He wrote more than 50 books, most featuring the series' detective Inspector Littlejohn. He also wrote four novels under the alternative pseudonym Hilary Landon.
George Bellairs is the nom de plume of Harold Blundell, a crime writer and bank manager born in Heywood, near Rochdale, Lancashire, who settled in the Isle of Man on retirement. He wrote more than 50 books, most featuring the series' detective Inspector Littlejohn. He also wrote four novels under the alternative pseudonym Hilary Landon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
December 17, 2019
“No matter where we go, you always get a busman’s holiday, Tom,” says Letty Littlejohn to her husband, Chief Inspector Thomas Littlejohn. And she’s right!
The Littlejohns head to Juans-les-Pins on the French Riviera, but their vacation is interrupted when an English coal merchant and alderman leading a tour of France for residents of his backwater village is murdered. The English tourists want to blame it on an unknown French assailant, but Littlejohn is pretty sure that the secret to this murder — and several that follow — lies in sleepy Bolchester….
True, I missed the trusty Detective Sergeant Robert Cromwell, but it was nice to see Littlejohn navigate in a literally foreign environment, and I didn’t have a clue who killed Alderman Dawson until the end. Longtime fans will love seeing more of Mrs. Littlejohn, while newbies won’t find themselves at sea.
Best of all, Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read this book for free.
The Littlejohns head to Juans-les-Pins on the French Riviera, but their vacation is interrupted when an English coal merchant and alderman leading a tour of France for residents of his backwater village is murdered. The English tourists want to blame it on an unknown French assailant, but Littlejohn is pretty sure that the secret to this murder — and several that follow — lies in sleepy Bolchester….
True, I missed the trusty Detective Sergeant Robert Cromwell, but it was nice to see Littlejohn navigate in a literally foreign environment, and I didn’t have a clue who killed Alderman Dawson until the end. Longtime fans will love seeing more of Mrs. Littlejohn, while newbies won’t find themselves at sea.
Best of all, Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read this book for free.
November 14, 2019
With thanks to the publisher - I received an e-book version of his novel via NetGalley.
A murder mystery set on the French Riviera with a busloads of British tourists forming a large group of suspects. Bellairs sets the scene with deft skill, showing us the seashore, the parade of expensive cars at the Casino and nightclubs, the holidaymakers in their casual clothes.
The plot moves along with lots of detail telling the back story of each potential suspect. Inevitably, everyone has a motive for disliking or wishing to be rid of the victim, who himself turns about to be less than the perfect and honourable local dignitary he purports to be.
Bellairs is clever in the way he manipulates national stereotypes, pointing out the differences between the French police and their British counterparts. The French are implied to be devious thugs who are not to be trusted, but it is the Scotland Yard inspector who lays a trap using the very "reputation" of the French police to flush out the killer. The only part of the denouement which failed to ring true was that one character should agree to marry another though as a plot device it was needed to cause tension and jealousy in another character.
Apart from this one small anomaly, the plot was entirely believable and I didn't spot the murderer, though the reason for the murder was particularly telling.
A murder mystery set on the French Riviera with a busloads of British tourists forming a large group of suspects. Bellairs sets the scene with deft skill, showing us the seashore, the parade of expensive cars at the Casino and nightclubs, the holidaymakers in their casual clothes.
The plot moves along with lots of detail telling the back story of each potential suspect. Inevitably, everyone has a motive for disliking or wishing to be rid of the victim, who himself turns about to be less than the perfect and honourable local dignitary he purports to be.
Bellairs is clever in the way he manipulates national stereotypes, pointing out the differences between the French police and their British counterparts. The French are implied to be devious thugs who are not to be trusted, but it is the Scotland Yard inspector who lays a trap using the very "reputation" of the French police to flush out the killer. The only part of the denouement which failed to ring true was that one character should agree to marry another though as a plot device it was needed to cause tension and jealousy in another character.
Apart from this one small anomaly, the plot was entirely believable and I didn't spot the murderer, though the reason for the murder was particularly telling.
September 3, 2017
Published originally in 1955, this novel sees the Littlejohns back in France for the first time since their honeymoon twenty years earlier. The Inspector meets Commissaire Dorange of the Nice Flying Squad, the first of many encounters.
Alderman Dawson of Bolchester is stabbed and later dies in Room 5 of the local hospital. His last words seem to refer to his involvement with the Maquis during World War Two and to Inspector Littlejohn.
An investigation is carried out into the Resistance connection and the alibis of the twelve others who accompanied Dawson on holiday to the Villa Bagatelle. Littlejohn pays a brief visit to Bolchester to gather background information. A local bar owner and the son of the housekeepers at the Bagatelle are also murdered, apparently as they knew too much.
Many possible motives for the killing of Dawson are uncovered. He was highly unpopular, a womaniser and a swindler, notorious for putting others down in order to bolster himself.
Littlejohn carries out a lot of interviews but reaches the wrong conclusion, really only lighting upon the solution shortly before it is revealed to the reader.
This is a very enjoyable novel, with good descriptions of the French Riviera and some nice characterisation. There is a lot of poking of fun at French police procedure, for instance, the “passage à tabac”. The names are often interesting, with one reporter named Landru after the notorious French serial killer!
It kept me guessing longer than most, so worthy of four stars. The ending was a bit too melodramatic for my taste.
Alderman Dawson of Bolchester is stabbed and later dies in Room 5 of the local hospital. His last words seem to refer to his involvement with the Maquis during World War Two and to Inspector Littlejohn.
An investigation is carried out into the Resistance connection and the alibis of the twelve others who accompanied Dawson on holiday to the Villa Bagatelle. Littlejohn pays a brief visit to Bolchester to gather background information. A local bar owner and the son of the housekeepers at the Bagatelle are also murdered, apparently as they knew too much.
Many possible motives for the killing of Dawson are uncovered. He was highly unpopular, a womaniser and a swindler, notorious for putting others down in order to bolster himself.
Littlejohn carries out a lot of interviews but reaches the wrong conclusion, really only lighting upon the solution shortly before it is revealed to the reader.
This is a very enjoyable novel, with good descriptions of the French Riviera and some nice characterisation. There is a lot of poking of fun at French police procedure, for instance, the “passage à tabac”. The names are often interesting, with one reporter named Landru after the notorious French serial killer!
It kept me guessing longer than most, so worthy of four stars. The ending was a bit too melodramatic for my taste.
October 6, 2025
Not one of Bellairs' best but quite enjoyable nevertheless. Fairly predictable plot. Littlejohn cannot go anywhere without somebody getting murdered. Usual good character and location descriptions. A coach party of English tourists all from the same small town are all friendly on the surface but passions are running deep and when one is found dead Littlejohn is asked to help the French police to find the killer.
May 25, 2017
although I enjoy Cannes - this Littlejohn tale conformed to formula of being on holiday with wife and getting called in to investigate murder of English tourist in France, and while there was some interesting background info relative to resistance fighters vs collaborator betrayal I would not point another reader to this particular book as example of one of his best
April 10, 2018
For the setting alone, I could have given this novel in the Inspector Tom Littlejohn series 5 stars. But as usual it was the final chapter that kept it at a "four" for me.
I once spent a holiday in this part of the French Riviera and it was one of the best I ever had. However in spite of the wonderful scenic areas in this particular mystery, Bellairs seems to have trouble with his conclusions. I think he tries to make them like a Hercules Poiroit denouement but they seemed overly complicated for me. As I recall in some of his later novels, which I actually read earlier, he does get better at ending his book. When he does, he will definitely get 5 stars from me, because I love everything else about his books.
I once spent a holiday in this part of the French Riviera and it was one of the best I ever had. However in spite of the wonderful scenic areas in this particular mystery, Bellairs seems to have trouble with his conclusions. I think he tries to make them like a Hercules Poiroit denouement but they seemed overly complicated for me. As I recall in some of his later novels, which I actually read earlier, he does get better at ending his book. When he does, he will definitely get 5 stars from me, because I love everything else about his books.
November 20, 2019
A very mixed bunch of people go on a trip to France. They are all from one town of Bolchester from mixed backgrounds and many of them do not actually like each other. When Alderman Dawson is found murdered the French police are called in along with Detective Littlejohn who is on holiday at the time.
When the French police discover the true identity of Dawson who worked with the French resistance for a time (and who was found to be a traitor) the whole attitude and significance of the murder changes and it is upto Littlejohn to try to find the actual murderer and not just think this is an act of revenge from a long hidden French resistance avenger.
Depicting French and English detective methods this is a rather slow process of trying to find a murderer when so many of the actual people on the trip have had ample reasons to murder the Alderman. On the surface he seemed liked, but beneath it all simmering tensions were there and to try to weed tensions out from an intent to murder is hard. When two more murders take place the investigation becomes urgent and Littlejohn has his work cut out to prevent the police from very conveniently holding on to the first available suspect so that the entire investigation can be done and dusted.
In true detective fashion, it is only through a long process of deduction and elimination that the final suspect is found.
A slightly old fashioned detective series.
When the French police discover the true identity of Dawson who worked with the French resistance for a time (and who was found to be a traitor) the whole attitude and significance of the murder changes and it is upto Littlejohn to try to find the actual murderer and not just think this is an act of revenge from a long hidden French resistance avenger.
Depicting French and English detective methods this is a rather slow process of trying to find a murderer when so many of the actual people on the trip have had ample reasons to murder the Alderman. On the surface he seemed liked, but beneath it all simmering tensions were there and to try to weed tensions out from an intent to murder is hard. When two more murders take place the investigation becomes urgent and Littlejohn has his work cut out to prevent the police from very conveniently holding on to the first available suspect so that the entire investigation can be done and dusted.
In true detective fashion, it is only through a long process of deduction and elimination that the final suspect is found.
A slightly old fashioned detective series.
February 13, 2021
An excellent entry in the Inspector Littlejohn series. He's in Cannes on a well-deserved vacation with his wife, when a British tourist is found dead. Although he's on holiday, the British police ask Littlejohn to work with the French police to solve the murder and keep it from becoming an international incident. The dead man, Alderman Dawson, asked for "Valerie" and Littlejohn before he died. Dawson was part of a group of British tourists from the town of Bolchester and although at first they all say very nice things about Dawson, after Littlejohn probes, it turns out that most of them are just as glad he's dead. Littlejohn makes a quick trip to Bolchester and finds out even more. The conclusion, just as Littlejohn threatens to give up and let the French police handle it, is really well done. Bellairs has a real talent for description of places and people. You can almost feel yourself on the beach at Cannes--and given that it's only 6 in central Illinois right now--it's a nice change of pace.
January 4, 2020
A rare setting.
The book is set in the south of France with a motley crew of provincial English people. It starts with the possibility of revenge from betrayal of partisans but moves to a straightforward whodunnit amongst the English visitors most of whom are satisfyingly unpleasant and weak. It’s well worth reading.
The book is set in the south of France with a motley crew of provincial English people. It starts with the possibility of revenge from betrayal of partisans but moves to a straightforward whodunnit amongst the English visitors most of whom are satisfyingly unpleasant and weak. It’s well worth reading.
August 17, 2025
KU Free Trial | On the better side of the series, but still not one of the top entries | This was fine, I just found it out of balance.
October 3, 2015
Since this book was originally published in 1955 it is definitely in the manner of a classic English mystery. And I think that is a good thing.
A group of English people are on a coach trip to France. Inspector Littlejohn and his wife are also on holiday in France. When one of the coach travelers is killed, Littlejohn is called in to help solve the case.
There are a great number of characters and at times that made me slow down. For my taste, there were too many references to the scenery around the sandy beaches and wonderful waves coming to the shore. But, those are teeny complaints.
This is a very well plotted story. We start with no idea about why this man was killed and then as things move along, we see that of course he would be a murder victim...he deserved it.
As information is revealed the reader learns about the character of Littlejohn and each of the possible suspects.
Character development is well done. There are characters who come to the front of the story by the strength of their personalities. And as we get to know them, some of them are not exactly people we would like as friends.
This is a very good classic British mystery which will entertain the reader.
A group of English people are on a coach trip to France. Inspector Littlejohn and his wife are also on holiday in France. When one of the coach travelers is killed, Littlejohn is called in to help solve the case.
There are a great number of characters and at times that made me slow down. For my taste, there were too many references to the scenery around the sandy beaches and wonderful waves coming to the shore. But, those are teeny complaints.
This is a very well plotted story. We start with no idea about why this man was killed and then as things move along, we see that of course he would be a murder victim...he deserved it.
As information is revealed the reader learns about the character of Littlejohn and each of the possible suspects.
Character development is well done. There are characters who come to the front of the story by the strength of their personalities. And as we get to know them, some of them are not exactly people we would like as friends.
This is a very good classic British mystery which will entertain the reader.
October 31, 2017
I thought this was better structured than #21 in the series which I read out of sequence. There is a reasonable sequence of deductions, the cast of characters is delineated and the author builds some empathy for Chief Inspector Littlejohn. There is historical interest in the contrast between French and English policing methods which is saved from stereotyping by the friendship and collaboration of the two forces.
I like the light touch on the personal lives of the detectives - just enough to round them out without taking the narrative into domestic or romantic areas. The other characters are stereotypes - mostly unlikable with sympathetic elements. It kept my interest and I’ll read more for fun.
I like the light touch on the personal lives of the detectives - just enough to round them out without taking the narrative into domestic or romantic areas. The other characters are stereotypes - mostly unlikable with sympathetic elements. It kept my interest and I’ll read more for fun.
January 16, 2015
Chief inspector Littlejohn from Scotland Yard is vacationing with his wife on the French Riviera when called upon to help investigate the murder of an English tourist. At first suspicion is placed on a vengeful Frenchman, but soon it appears that everyone in the man’s tour group has a motive as well. The story takes place a decade after World War Two and the war plays a part in why the man may have been killed.
The writing is good and pitch perfect in descriptions of its European location. But for a sprinkling of very mild profanity, this book is a great cozy mystery. British author George Bellairs wrote more than 50 novels, most featuring Littlejohn.
The writing is good and pitch perfect in descriptions of its European location. But for a sprinkling of very mild profanity, this book is a great cozy mystery. British author George Bellairs wrote more than 50 novels, most featuring Littlejohn.
December 27, 2018
Inspector Littlejohn's vacation in the Riviera is interrupted by a murder of a tourist. He has to figure out who would want the man dead. There are complications because of the man's history and character.
I like these stories. The character of Inspector Littlejohn is respectable to other cultures as well as a good policeman.
I like these stories. The character of Inspector Littlejohn is respectable to other cultures as well as a good policeman.
April 1, 2024
This Easter I went on holiday to the south of France to get away from the rain. Sea, sand, sun. Vermouth and without a Tardis I stepped back to 1955 by opening the pages of a book a busman holiday with my wife again.
Inspector Littlejohn and lot of red herrings, to meny suspects including the French police. A murder mystery set in 1955 a classic crime with a haddock on the side for fun,
Inspector Littlejohn and lot of red herrings, to meny suspects including the French police. A murder mystery set in 1955 a classic crime with a haddock on the side for fun,
June 10, 2025
Not even the mob funeral can pull this one out of the mire.
The Englishman who wrote as "George Bellairs" is said to have been a Francophile. I'm not a Francophile and this book failed to convert me.
It's another busman's holiday for Chief Inspector Littlejohn. He and wife Letty are vacationing in Cannes when an Englishman who's part of a tour group is stabbed to death. Unfortunately the local rag has advertised the presence of the "famous Scotland Yard Detective."
The late William Dawson's friends see it as a sign from God. They demand that the Metropolitan Police assign Littlejohn to the case to catch the murderer and protect the other tour group members from the horrors of the French justice system.
In English law, a suspect is innocent until proven guilty and the onus is on the justice system to provide the proof. In France, a suspect is guilty until (unless) he can prove himself innocent. According to Bellairs, the French officials have unlimited powers to make the suspect admit to guilt. No one blames the English tourists for being scared, but it's a delicate diplomatic situation. Littlejohn must protect the rights of the English while not offending the touchy French police.
The locals are convinced that Dawson was knifed because of a tragedy that occurred while he was part of the Allied forces working with the French Resistance during WWII. It's 1955 and France is still trying to recover from years of German occupation and brutality.
The story is that Dawson leaked military plans to his French GF who was a traitor. She told the Germans and a number of Resistance fighters were caught and executed. One of them was the son of the Examining Magistrate who's in charge of the investigation. As far as he's concerned, justice has been done. Case closed.
The original death leads to two more deaths as people who've seen something try to blackmail the murderer. How hard is it to grasp that someone who's killed once has nothing to lose by killing again? One black-mailer was a French bar owner/gangster. His funeral pits the Cannes mob against the Marseille mob. It's a low-key affair as mob funerals go, but still entertaining. Letting Sammy's mama and his mistress go toe-to-toe would have made for a much more interesting book IMHO.
But Littlejohn isn't convinced that William Dawson was killed for his wartime mistake. He goes to the small town where Dawson was a businessman/politician to find out more about the dead man's relationships with the other tour groups members. Turns out all of them had some reason to want Dawson dead.
The identity of the guilty came as a surprise to me, but then I wasn't really interested. Hard to decide which was more irritating, the posturing French cops or the petty English tourists. There was one character who turned out to have unexpected qualities, but most of them started out boring and stayed that way.
I'm ready for Littlejohn to get back to the Isle of Man or to the small towns and villages of southern England where most of his cases take place. This book had some good parts, but PLEASE don't let it be your first Bellairs. It's really not up to his usual standard.
The Englishman who wrote as "George Bellairs" is said to have been a Francophile. I'm not a Francophile and this book failed to convert me.
It's another busman's holiday for Chief Inspector Littlejohn. He and wife Letty are vacationing in Cannes when an Englishman who's part of a tour group is stabbed to death. Unfortunately the local rag has advertised the presence of the "famous Scotland Yard Detective."
The late William Dawson's friends see it as a sign from God. They demand that the Metropolitan Police assign Littlejohn to the case to catch the murderer and protect the other tour group members from the horrors of the French justice system.
In English law, a suspect is innocent until proven guilty and the onus is on the justice system to provide the proof. In France, a suspect is guilty until (unless) he can prove himself innocent. According to Bellairs, the French officials have unlimited powers to make the suspect admit to guilt. No one blames the English tourists for being scared, but it's a delicate diplomatic situation. Littlejohn must protect the rights of the English while not offending the touchy French police.
The locals are convinced that Dawson was knifed because of a tragedy that occurred while he was part of the Allied forces working with the French Resistance during WWII. It's 1955 and France is still trying to recover from years of German occupation and brutality.
The story is that Dawson leaked military plans to his French GF who was a traitor. She told the Germans and a number of Resistance fighters were caught and executed. One of them was the son of the Examining Magistrate who's in charge of the investigation. As far as he's concerned, justice has been done. Case closed.
The original death leads to two more deaths as people who've seen something try to blackmail the murderer. How hard is it to grasp that someone who's killed once has nothing to lose by killing again? One black-mailer was a French bar owner/gangster. His funeral pits the Cannes mob against the Marseille mob. It's a low-key affair as mob funerals go, but still entertaining. Letting Sammy's mama and his mistress go toe-to-toe would have made for a much more interesting book IMHO.
But Littlejohn isn't convinced that William Dawson was killed for his wartime mistake. He goes to the small town where Dawson was a businessman/politician to find out more about the dead man's relationships with the other tour groups members. Turns out all of them had some reason to want Dawson dead.
The identity of the guilty came as a surprise to me, but then I wasn't really interested. Hard to decide which was more irritating, the posturing French cops or the petty English tourists. There was one character who turned out to have unexpected qualities, but most of them started out boring and stayed that way.
I'm ready for Littlejohn to get back to the Isle of Man or to the small towns and villages of southern England where most of his cases take place. This book had some good parts, but PLEASE don't let it be your first Bellairs. It's really not up to his usual standard.
November 14, 2019
If you have read any of the Littlejohn books before & are like me you will know that you are if for a great read, if this is your first & you are wondering if you should buy it then it is a yes I promise you. Littlejohn of Scotland Yard is on holiday in the South of France with his beloved wife and gets a visit from two Englishmen from the Northern English town of Bolchester, to ask his help because one of their party Alderman Dawson has been stabbed and had asked for Littlejohns help. If you ever go away and find out that Littlejohn of the Yard is on Holiday near by normally either Southern France or the IOM first thing to do is get out of there the second work out how you managed to travel back in time. This adventure is set in the 1950s The Alderman doesn't survive and is soon joined by others but that's as much of the plot to give you without ruining it, Dawson a self proclaimed hero of the resistance in France was not the hero he claimed exactly but he was known for his role in the fight and the lady who turns out not to be what she seemed. But would be a bit sad if everything played out as you expect. As such George Bellairs will leave you guessing and hooked for me I was hooked from page one but just his name on the cover is enough to have me read because I haven't yet found a bad book that he has written not bad for a bank manager. The plot has its twists and turns and unique characters all with their own identity like real life only one is a murderer, the French Police allow Littlejohn a free hand in a spirit of collaboration as asked for by the Yard. There are a few candidates for you to pick from and several red herring along the way which allow for some very fun twists if that's the right way. The French bobbies don't seem as deducted as it of that time one guarding the group send to have a very casual approach as opposed to the best Bobby that stands guard outside a place of interest here. So read on and see what I mean I really enjoyed this book and my guesses were wrong so you will probably do better than me and I obviously recommend this book as a great read one to relax ponder and enjoy.
December 26, 2019
Once Again A great British Crime by Bellairs with Inspector Littlejohn
I love reading the British crime novels by George Bellairs that are about Inspector Littlejohn. They are written in an age without computers and lots of fancy foresic tools. The protagonist uses his brain, thought processes, and the cast of characters flaws. It is wonderful how he brings the various peoples to life. In a recent book I found out that a family name always believed Irish may have been Welsh. And it led me to read several books regarding surnames on the Isle of Manx as well as several others. With then explained how the family made it to America in the 1700s...one of the wealthiest Welch families brought their servants over as indentured since they had been born to the land in Wales. Sadder I found that any child born to his American servants because they were not African....were immediately made indentured servants upon birth. Just like the slaves these PA families retained generations of families...as I found in court records. I owe this all to George Bellaire and the use of Jurby Point in that book. It is amazing what one may unearth in just reading books set in the Past.
This book is written bringing some historical facts into the twining plot that you almost need to create a chart like used on brain teasers if you want to try to outsmart the hints and leads you are given and what finally happens in the end. It is like a complicated game of clue. This time Bellair intertwines the British with the French.
I look foward to the next one on the Isle of Manx...I have learned so much by delving into the historical facts of that Isle. It is mesmerizing as to who laid claim on it, Ireland, Scotland, and the rest of the UK including Wales. Bellairs is one of my favorite authors. I wish he was still alive to discuss his historical research and Littlejohn.
I love reading the British crime novels by George Bellairs that are about Inspector Littlejohn. They are written in an age without computers and lots of fancy foresic tools. The protagonist uses his brain, thought processes, and the cast of characters flaws. It is wonderful how he brings the various peoples to life. In a recent book I found out that a family name always believed Irish may have been Welsh. And it led me to read several books regarding surnames on the Isle of Manx as well as several others. With then explained how the family made it to America in the 1700s...one of the wealthiest Welch families brought their servants over as indentured since they had been born to the land in Wales. Sadder I found that any child born to his American servants because they were not African....were immediately made indentured servants upon birth. Just like the slaves these PA families retained generations of families...as I found in court records. I owe this all to George Bellaire and the use of Jurby Point in that book. It is amazing what one may unearth in just reading books set in the Past.
This book is written bringing some historical facts into the twining plot that you almost need to create a chart like used on brain teasers if you want to try to outsmart the hints and leads you are given and what finally happens in the end. It is like a complicated game of clue. This time Bellair intertwines the British with the French.
I look foward to the next one on the Isle of Manx...I have learned so much by delving into the historical facts of that Isle. It is mesmerizing as to who laid claim on it, Ireland, Scotland, and the rest of the UK including Wales. Bellairs is one of my favorite authors. I wish he was still alive to discuss his historical research and Littlejohn.
November 4, 2019
This is a very good classic crime. Littlejohn spends awhile gathering details, and then suddenly has everything solved in an exciting ending.
Littlejohn and his wife are on vacation in Juan-les-Pins on the Mediterranean Sea. Shortly after he arrives he gets a call that an Englishman has been stabbed in Cannes. Littlejohn goes to the hospital in Cannes, and finds Alderman Dawson from Bolchester in England in Room Five. He dies just as Littlejohn arrives. Dawson was part of a group from Bolchester who were on a bus trip and staying at a house in Cannes. Dawson had been in the Maquis during the war, and told some secrets to a woman in the group who turned out to be a spy. At first the police thought someone local may have murdered him, but soon Littlejohn realizes it must be someone in the travel group, none of whom seemed to like Dawson.
Inspector Dorange from Nice picks up Littlejohn, and kindly drives him around and they confer about the case. Littlejohn travels to Bolchester to gather background information and has a tour by Inspector Haddock, who seems to know everyone and all the gossip. Soon the bar owner from near where the body was found is also found murdered, and then the son of the caretakers of the house the group was staying in was also killed. Littlejohn quickly assumes they were blackmailing the killer. Finally, the night before Littlejohn is to go off the case, he spends the night hidden in the house after first stirring up a lot of problems with the travellers, and then solving the case. There is almost another death, but Littlejohn saves the day!
Littlejohn and his wife are on vacation in Juan-les-Pins on the Mediterranean Sea. Shortly after he arrives he gets a call that an Englishman has been stabbed in Cannes. Littlejohn goes to the hospital in Cannes, and finds Alderman Dawson from Bolchester in England in Room Five. He dies just as Littlejohn arrives. Dawson was part of a group from Bolchester who were on a bus trip and staying at a house in Cannes. Dawson had been in the Maquis during the war, and told some secrets to a woman in the group who turned out to be a spy. At first the police thought someone local may have murdered him, but soon Littlejohn realizes it must be someone in the travel group, none of whom seemed to like Dawson.
Inspector Dorange from Nice picks up Littlejohn, and kindly drives him around and they confer about the case. Littlejohn travels to Bolchester to gather background information and has a tour by Inspector Haddock, who seems to know everyone and all the gossip. Soon the bar owner from near where the body was found is also found murdered, and then the son of the caretakers of the house the group was staying in was also killed. Littlejohn quickly assumes they were blackmailing the killer. Finally, the night before Littlejohn is to go off the case, he spends the night hidden in the house after first stirring up a lot of problems with the travellers, and then solving the case. There is almost another death, but Littlejohn saves the day!
November 14, 2019
Death in Room Five by George Bellairs
I was delighted to be given a copy of Death in Room Five by NetGalley for review purposes. George Bellairs has become my absolute favourite author of detective stories for the very good reason that he never lets you down. His Inspector Littlejohn novels are always meticulously plotted - I have yet to guess the killer before the final denouement and I consider myself to be pretty good at following clues in general .
Poor Inspector Littlejohn has taken his wife to the French Riviera on holiday, to be honest I don't know why as murders always occur and his poor wife is left to holiday alone whilst he solves the case - she has to be the most patient wife in the history of the world! This time the victim is an Alderman who, on the surface appears to be both respected and admired but, once Littlejohn starts his investigations, the reader discovers that this is not the case.
George Bellairs writes really beautifully, his cast of characters are always well drawn and fully fledged, they have realistic traits and his sense of humour comes through - although the case is murder it is not a depressing or harrowing tale.
Bellairs was a prolific author even though until his retirement he worked full time as a Bank Manager. Despite the fact that he was only writing part time, his plots are always original and I have never come across one that I didn't enjoy. I am hopeful that all his works will be republished, I will definitely read them all and I will continue to sing his praises . Very highly recommended to all who enjoy novels from the golden age of detective fiction.
*****
I was delighted to be given a copy of Death in Room Five by NetGalley for review purposes. George Bellairs has become my absolute favourite author of detective stories for the very good reason that he never lets you down. His Inspector Littlejohn novels are always meticulously plotted - I have yet to guess the killer before the final denouement and I consider myself to be pretty good at following clues in general .
Poor Inspector Littlejohn has taken his wife to the French Riviera on holiday, to be honest I don't know why as murders always occur and his poor wife is left to holiday alone whilst he solves the case - she has to be the most patient wife in the history of the world! This time the victim is an Alderman who, on the surface appears to be both respected and admired but, once Littlejohn starts his investigations, the reader discovers that this is not the case.
George Bellairs writes really beautifully, his cast of characters are always well drawn and fully fledged, they have realistic traits and his sense of humour comes through - although the case is murder it is not a depressing or harrowing tale.
Bellairs was a prolific author even though until his retirement he worked full time as a Bank Manager. Despite the fact that he was only writing part time, his plots are always original and I have never come across one that I didn't enjoy. I am hopeful that all his works will be republished, I will definitely read them all and I will continue to sing his praises . Very highly recommended to all who enjoy novels from the golden age of detective fiction.
*****
December 16, 2019
Thanks once again to #NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read George Bellairs' highly entertaining "Death In Room Five", another entry in the Inspector Littlejohn series, in return for a fair and honest review.
I have been reading the Littlejohn series for a few months, and find each one to be just as entertaining as the previous. And "Death In Room Five" was no exception.
It seems as though Inspector and Mrs. Littlejohn cannot have a complete vacation without him becoming embroiled in a mystery. This time, we're in France on the Riviera where a member of a group of Englishmen (and women) are making an annual tour, when one of them is stabbed and left for dead on a beach. Alderman Dawson's last words are "Vallouris" (or so we're told) and "get Inspector Littlejohn of Scotland Yard". Enter Littlejohn, along with his counterparts on the French police and gendarmes.
And there is no lack of suspects: it seems as though almost everyone in the party has a reason to have wanted Mr. Dawson dead. And then, to add to Littlejohn's troubles, there are two more murders related to the original.
As with most 'cozy' mysteries, the detective must wade through all kinds of red herrings, alibis, excuses, hysterics, etc, before finally getting to the heart of the mystery - which Littlejohn does with great aplomb.
The cast of characters of this novel is as interesting as the mystery itself, which held my attention through to the very end - and a surprise ending which is all the better.
Highly recommended for fans of Agatha Christie et al.
I have been reading the Littlejohn series for a few months, and find each one to be just as entertaining as the previous. And "Death In Room Five" was no exception.
It seems as though Inspector and Mrs. Littlejohn cannot have a complete vacation without him becoming embroiled in a mystery. This time, we're in France on the Riviera where a member of a group of Englishmen (and women) are making an annual tour, when one of them is stabbed and left for dead on a beach. Alderman Dawson's last words are "Vallouris" (or so we're told) and "get Inspector Littlejohn of Scotland Yard". Enter Littlejohn, along with his counterparts on the French police and gendarmes.
And there is no lack of suspects: it seems as though almost everyone in the party has a reason to have wanted Mr. Dawson dead. And then, to add to Littlejohn's troubles, there are two more murders related to the original.
As with most 'cozy' mysteries, the detective must wade through all kinds of red herrings, alibis, excuses, hysterics, etc, before finally getting to the heart of the mystery - which Littlejohn does with great aplomb.
The cast of characters of this novel is as interesting as the mystery itself, which held my attention through to the very end - and a surprise ending which is all the better.
Highly recommended for fans of Agatha Christie et al.
March 21, 2018
Holiday on the French Riviera & murder of course!
Another good Little John mystery. Being the 21st book it's hard to keep up the great writer that's been consistent with all of these books. Characters are always well written and so is the surrounding area. This takes place in France on the beautiful Riviera. As a group of English people go on holiday one of them manages to be murdered. Then with two more murders of French residents who saw the disposal of the body & decided to blackmail them. Such a stupid thing! As I'd finally decided on who had done the first murder, there for all the murders, was I came out totally wrong! So far from it I was amazed! I'm always really good at picking who the murderer is in almost every mystery I read, but these books have stumped me almost every time. Which is great! I like not knowing myself, but even Chief Inspector Littlejohn was totally wrong till the very last. Trying to catch the murderer in the act by setting a trap with someone as bait. Except the wrong villain had almost killed the bait! And was saved by the #1 suspect! Sorry that a bit disclosing of the end but you still won't know who the murderer is. So I hope you enjoy another installment of Chief Inspector Littlejohn!
Another good Little John mystery. Being the 21st book it's hard to keep up the great writer that's been consistent with all of these books. Characters are always well written and so is the surrounding area. This takes place in France on the beautiful Riviera. As a group of English people go on holiday one of them manages to be murdered. Then with two more murders of French residents who saw the disposal of the body & decided to blackmail them. Such a stupid thing! As I'd finally decided on who had done the first murder, there for all the murders, was I came out totally wrong! So far from it I was amazed! I'm always really good at picking who the murderer is in almost every mystery I read, but these books have stumped me almost every time. Which is great! I like not knowing myself, but even Chief Inspector Littlejohn was totally wrong till the very last. Trying to catch the murderer in the act by setting a trap with someone as bait. Except the wrong villain had almost killed the bait! And was saved by the #1 suspect! Sorry that a bit disclosing of the end but you still won't know who the murderer is. So I hope you enjoy another installment of Chief Inspector Littlejohn!
November 12, 2019
Poor Inspector Littlejohn can’t have a holiday away with his long suffering wife without murder falling at his feet.
A party of British tourists on a coach holiday to the French Riviera from Bolchester, a small northern industrial town, find themselves in trouble when one of their group is stabbed and dies in the local hospital whispering something that sounds like a code from his time helping the Resistance during the war.
Alderman Dawson was, outwardly at least, an upstanding member of the community but, as always in these excellent mysteries, all is not as it seems.
Littlejohn is without his loyal Sergeant in this installment, although he does get a brief mention on a flying visit back home, but his place is amply filled by a delightfully eccentric French Policeman named Dorange of the Nice Police.
This has a nicely claustrophobic atmosphere akin to an Agatha Christie holiday mystery, with everyone holed up in a hotel in foreign parts desperate to get home.The characterisation and description of surroundings is excellent, as I have come to expect from Bellairs, and the differing policing styles of the two officers made for good contrast.
I recommend this book without hesitation and look forward to more.
A party of British tourists on a coach holiday to the French Riviera from Bolchester, a small northern industrial town, find themselves in trouble when one of their group is stabbed and dies in the local hospital whispering something that sounds like a code from his time helping the Resistance during the war.
Alderman Dawson was, outwardly at least, an upstanding member of the community but, as always in these excellent mysteries, all is not as it seems.
Littlejohn is without his loyal Sergeant in this installment, although he does get a brief mention on a flying visit back home, but his place is amply filled by a delightfully eccentric French Policeman named Dorange of the Nice Police.
This has a nicely claustrophobic atmosphere akin to an Agatha Christie holiday mystery, with everyone holed up in a hotel in foreign parts desperate to get home.The characterisation and description of surroundings is excellent, as I have come to expect from Bellairs, and the differing policing styles of the two officers made for good contrast.
I recommend this book without hesitation and look forward to more.
Read
November 4, 2019I began to read Death in Room Five with some reservations, in the past I have found the attitudes towards non-British characters seem to be too racist for my tastes. However, I was pleasantly surprised as Bellairs preferred to focuses his whit on the petty British holiday makers rather than the French. There are a few exceptions, such as his harping-on about the French Police use of ‘passage a tabac’ as an interview method.
The setting of the book in Southern France, less than ten years after the end of the Second World War was of interest and his depiction of the Riviera at that time is enlightening and entertaining. The plot is of the classic genre and there are the usual multitude of suspects and several murders to keep the reader interested. There is no shortage of twists and turns as the story unfolds.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and found the exotic setting to be an added bonus.
This review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The setting of the book in Southern France, less than ten years after the end of the Second World War was of interest and his depiction of the Riviera at that time is enlightening and entertaining. The plot is of the classic genre and there are the usual multitude of suspects and several murders to keep the reader interested. There is no shortage of twists and turns as the story unfolds.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and found the exotic setting to be an added bonus.
This review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 6, 2019
"Death in Room Five" is a mystery that was originally published in 1955 and is set in France and England. The characters were described with a humorous touch, especially as the British vacationing in France thought the French behaved oddly. They didn't want to cooperate with the French police, so Inspector Littlejohn was taken from his vacation in France to question the suspects and determine whodunit.
Inspector Littlejohn followed up on obvious leads and questioned many people, slowly uncovering possible motives and actions until he was finally able to put it all together. There were clues, and the reader can guess whodunit, though I was never completely sure I was right since there were several strong suspects. The mystery was more complex than I expected. There were no sex scenes. There was a fair amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting mystery.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Inspector Littlejohn followed up on obvious leads and questioned many people, slowly uncovering possible motives and actions until he was finally able to put it all together. There were clues, and the reader can guess whodunit, though I was never completely sure I was right since there were several strong suspects. The mystery was more complex than I expected. There were no sex scenes. There was a fair amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting mystery.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
November 26, 2019
3.75 stars
Another classic Inspector Littlejohn mystery. Littlejohn and his wife are enjoying a vacation on the French coast when he is summoned to the hospital bed of an Englishman who has been stabbed. He dies before Littlejohn can get there. Littlejohn is assigned to assist the French police. The victim was a member of an English tourist party and the inspector starts interviewing the other members of the group.
Fairly quickly it is discovered that the dead man was involved during the War with the French Resistance and let slip some information that got 20 people killed. But the victim had complicated relationships with a lot of people, personally and in business, and Littlejohn does not believe the killing was a simple retaliation.
There is the usual humor and plotting here. The characterizations and the descriptions are quite well done. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review
Another classic Inspector Littlejohn mystery. Littlejohn and his wife are enjoying a vacation on the French coast when he is summoned to the hospital bed of an Englishman who has been stabbed. He dies before Littlejohn can get there. Littlejohn is assigned to assist the French police. The victim was a member of an English tourist party and the inspector starts interviewing the other members of the group.
Fairly quickly it is discovered that the dead man was involved during the War with the French Resistance and let slip some information that got 20 people killed. But the victim had complicated relationships with a lot of people, personally and in business, and Littlejohn does not believe the killing was a simple retaliation.
There is the usual humor and plotting here. The characterizations and the descriptions are quite well done. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review
October 28, 2019
CI Littlejohn of Scotland Yard is suffering from too much publicity. He and his wife just wanted to have a little vacation in the south of France but he is accosted by his countrymen at the behest of a man who was stabbed. By the time they get to the hospital the man has died and the French police claim no need to investigate. This proves to be a ruse to chase off the civilians as the police are well aware of Littlejohn's reputation. And so it goes with more loosely related murders and tiresome tourists. But in between we are treated to vivid descriptions of the countryside and other scenery. Of course the mystery is well crafted and most interesting, just as I expected!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Agora Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Agora Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
March 25, 2020
Inspector Littlejohn and his wife are on their hols in France when the inevitable happens.
Littlejohn’s fame goes before him and has had his picture snapped by a local paparazzi and put in the newspaper.
When an English tourist is stabbed and taken to hospital he asks for Littlejohn. The victim was part of a coach party and as Littlejohn, and his French counterparts take on the touring party there is a definite sense of them and us. The tourists don’t get on with the French detectives and Littlejohn has a feeling of superiority over the annoying bunch of tourists.
Half truths and downright lies are told and Littlejohn overlooks a helpful witness. He drinks too much Pernod with the French detective and his poor wife - who should surely be canonised - is left to her own devices for most of the time.
For me not the best Littlejohn story but enjoyable nonetheless.
Littlejohn’s fame goes before him and has had his picture snapped by a local paparazzi and put in the newspaper.
When an English tourist is stabbed and taken to hospital he asks for Littlejohn. The victim was part of a coach party and as Littlejohn, and his French counterparts take on the touring party there is a definite sense of them and us. The tourists don’t get on with the French detectives and Littlejohn has a feeling of superiority over the annoying bunch of tourists.
Half truths and downright lies are told and Littlejohn overlooks a helpful witness. He drinks too much Pernod with the French detective and his poor wife - who should surely be canonised - is left to her own devices for most of the time.
For me not the best Littlejohn story but enjoyable nonetheless.
October 11, 2020
The characters, as in all of Bellairs books, are very well done. His portrait of the stereotypical British traveler abroad after the war, French police, and French underworld types are done with a great deal of dry humor. The differing styles of the English versus the French police was quite interesting and gave this quite a different feel from stories set in England. While I think Bellairs may have missed out by ruling out one motive early on, all-in-all I found this to be a very satisfying mystery.
January 8, 2020
Excellent
Another seemingly impossible case for Inspector Littlejohn to crack. He is on holiday in the south of France with his wife Letty when he is approached by two English holidaymakers and one of their coach trip party has been murdered. He is requested by Scotland Yard to investigate the murder and to try and keep good relations with the French police.
Another seemingly impossible case for Inspector Littlejohn to crack. He is on holiday in the south of France with his wife Letty when he is approached by two English holidaymakers and one of their coach trip party has been murdered. He is requested by Scotland Yard to investigate the murder and to try and keep good relations with the French police.
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