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Major Bricket and the Circus Corpse
'A new Simon Brett novel is an event for mystery fans!' P.D. James
'Simon Brett writes stunning detective stories. I would recommend them to anyone' Jilly Cooper
Introducing a new, but not-so-amateur, sleuth from another peaceful English village with an alarmingly high death rate! The first mystery in a new cosy series from one of the world's favourite crime writers - perfect for fans of Richard Osmand, Janice Hallett, Robert Thorogood and M. C. Beaton.
_______________________
Meet Major Bricket, an infrequent resident of Highfield House in Stunston Peveril, Suffolk. In the past the Major's work assignments, frequently in foreign countries, have prevented him from spending much time there and as a result, there is an air of mystery around him while everyone in the village speculates on the nature of his occupation.
But now the Major has retired and has come home for good in his open-topped little red sports car... and what a homecoming it is, for lying spreadeagled on his lawn in the summer sunshine is the corpse of a clown.
The circus is in Stunston Peveril for the annual village fair, yet none of their quota of clowns is missing - or at least, nobody is saying. Could the body be that of an unfortunate early guest at the village's highlight of the social calendar, the Fincham Abbey Costume Ball?
Fortunately Major Bricket's past clandestine career means that he is now very well placed to solve the mystery of the dead clown on his camomile lawn . . .
_______________________
'Simon Brett writes stunning detective stories. I would recommend them to anyone' Jilly Cooper
Introducing a new, but not-so-amateur, sleuth from another peaceful English village with an alarmingly high death rate! The first mystery in a new cosy series from one of the world's favourite crime writers - perfect for fans of Richard Osmand, Janice Hallett, Robert Thorogood and M. C. Beaton.
_______________________
Meet Major Bricket, an infrequent resident of Highfield House in Stunston Peveril, Suffolk. In the past the Major's work assignments, frequently in foreign countries, have prevented him from spending much time there and as a result, there is an air of mystery around him while everyone in the village speculates on the nature of his occupation.
But now the Major has retired and has come home for good in his open-topped little red sports car... and what a homecoming it is, for lying spreadeagled on his lawn in the summer sunshine is the corpse of a clown.
The circus is in Stunston Peveril for the annual village fair, yet none of their quota of clowns is missing - or at least, nobody is saying. Could the body be that of an unfortunate early guest at the village's highlight of the social calendar, the Fincham Abbey Costume Ball?
Fortunately Major Bricket's past clandestine career means that he is now very well placed to solve the mystery of the dead clown on his camomile lawn . . .
_______________________
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2025
78 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Simon Brett
329 books532 followersSimon Brett is a prolific British writer of whodunnits.
He is the son of a Chartered Surveyor and was educated at Dulwich College and Wadham College, Oxford, where he got a first class honours degree in English.
He then joined the BBC as a trainee and worked for BBC Radio and London Weekend Television, where his work included 'Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Frank Muir Goes Into ...'.
After his spells with the media he began devoting most of his time to writing from the late 1970s and is well known for his various series of crime novels.
He is married with three children and lives in Burpham, near Arundel, West Sussex, England. He is the current president of the Detection Club.
He is the son of a Chartered Surveyor and was educated at Dulwich College and Wadham College, Oxford, where he got a first class honours degree in English.
He then joined the BBC as a trainee and worked for BBC Radio and London Weekend Television, where his work included 'Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Frank Muir Goes Into ...'.
After his spells with the media he began devoting most of his time to writing from the late 1970s and is well known for his various series of crime novels.
He is married with three children and lives in Burpham, near Arundel, West Sussex, England. He is the current president of the Detection Club.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 5, 2025
3 Stars
One Liner: It had its moments
Suffolk
Major Bricket has been an infrequent resident of Highfield House in Stunston Peveril. Thanks to his foreign assignments, his long absences from the village gave him an air of mystery. After his retirement, the Major has returned to settle down for good, only to find the dead body of a clown on his lawn!
However, none of the clowns from the village’s annual fair seem to be missing. So, who is that dead man? Is it really a clown or an unfortunate guest? Well, Major Bricket is here to find the truth.
The story comes in third-person omniscient POV.
My Thoughts:
I have a hard time resisting cozies, so when I saw this one, I wanted to check out a potential new series with an older male as our sleuth.
Before I delve in, I have to highlight that I couldn’t enjoy the story much, mainly due to the awful formatting. Even if this is an ARC, it shouldn’t be this messy. There’s no capitalization in most places (not even for some names). The lines are weirdly cut off and have random breaks. Honestly, it gave me a headache!
Coming to the plot, it’s actually fun. This might come under humor cozy, though not the explicit kind. The mystery has OTT elements (and so does the main character). But this added to the narrative somehow, instead of making it absurd. I mean, it is a bit absurd, but in a funny way.
The setting is a mix of contemporary and historical. I’m still figuring out the period. Maybe the 1990s or early 2000s? We have phones with cameras and laptops, and mention of Starbucks, but the village has been stuck in time and stayed back at least a few decades earlier.
We met an array of characters, some more impressive and memorable than others. Nga has definitely impressed me with her grasp of the small-town Brit elite and their silliness. The author pokes fun at their snobbishness and ignorance (of course, I enjoyed this).
The omnipresent narration makes it possible for the author’s voice to become prominent without affecting the characters. This worked for me, so no complaints. I still wish the formatting were better, as the head-hopping wouldn’t have been confusing.
The main character is capable, efficient, mysterious, and smart. He is a can-do-it-all kind of guy, and we get enough hints to guess his profession. James Bond vibes minus womanizing abilities (and I hope it stays that way).
To summarize, Major Bricket and the Circus Corpse is a decent start to a new series. It does have an interesting main lead and a quirky setting. I may read the second book to decide, though I hope the ARC will have better formatting!
Thank you, NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK (Constable), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #MajorBricketAndTheCircusCorpse
One Liner: It had its moments
Suffolk
Major Bricket has been an infrequent resident of Highfield House in Stunston Peveril. Thanks to his foreign assignments, his long absences from the village gave him an air of mystery. After his retirement, the Major has returned to settle down for good, only to find the dead body of a clown on his lawn!
However, none of the clowns from the village’s annual fair seem to be missing. So, who is that dead man? Is it really a clown or an unfortunate guest? Well, Major Bricket is here to find the truth.
The story comes in third-person omniscient POV.
My Thoughts:
I have a hard time resisting cozies, so when I saw this one, I wanted to check out a potential new series with an older male as our sleuth.
Before I delve in, I have to highlight that I couldn’t enjoy the story much, mainly due to the awful formatting. Even if this is an ARC, it shouldn’t be this messy. There’s no capitalization in most places (not even for some names). The lines are weirdly cut off and have random breaks. Honestly, it gave me a headache!
Coming to the plot, it’s actually fun. This might come under humor cozy, though not the explicit kind. The mystery has OTT elements (and so does the main character). But this added to the narrative somehow, instead of making it absurd. I mean, it is a bit absurd, but in a funny way.
The setting is a mix of contemporary and historical. I’m still figuring out the period. Maybe the 1990s or early 2000s? We have phones with cameras and laptops, and mention of Starbucks, but the village has been stuck in time and stayed back at least a few decades earlier.
We met an array of characters, some more impressive and memorable than others. Nga has definitely impressed me with her grasp of the small-town Brit elite and their silliness. The author pokes fun at their snobbishness and ignorance (of course, I enjoyed this).
The omnipresent narration makes it possible for the author’s voice to become prominent without affecting the characters. This worked for me, so no complaints. I still wish the formatting were better, as the head-hopping wouldn’t have been confusing.
The main character is capable, efficient, mysterious, and smart. He is a can-do-it-all kind of guy, and we get enough hints to guess his profession. James Bond vibes minus womanizing abilities (and I hope it stays that way).
To summarize, Major Bricket and the Circus Corpse is a decent start to a new series. It does have an interesting main lead and a quirky setting. I may read the second book to decide, though I hope the ARC will have better formatting!
Thank you, NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK (Constable), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #MajorBricketAndTheCircusCorpse
January 23, 2025
Major Bricket and the Circus Corpse is the first book in the Major Bricket Mystery series by British author, Simon Brett. With the news that Major Bricket will be returning to the Sussex village of Stunston Peveril for good, everyone in the village airs a myriad of opinions on what the unforthcoming Major actually did for a living.
The Summer Fair is on, Lavoisier’s Circus is on Ratchetts Common, and everyone, even the Major, will be at the Costume Ball at Fincham Abbey this evening. When Major Bricket arrives at Highfield House, though, there’s a nasty surprise in his garage. The corpse is dressed as a clown, and before calling the local constabulary, he examines the scene very carefully.
At the Ball, the whole village is agog with wild theories about what the police presence means: illegal immigrants (Rhona, Cosy Collectibles), aliens (Crocker Fosbury, Goat & Compasses publican), a demonic cult (Lena who cleans the vicarage), the Knights Templar protecting the fragment of the true Cross in the chapel (Deidre, Post Office), or an unexploded WW2 bomb (Elvira Finchcombe, Gingham Tea Shop).
The clown costume, and a twisted iron bar send the police in the direction of Lavoisier’s Circus but, after talking to several performers and the ring-mistress, Camille, the Major isn’t convinced. When he learns the identity of the victim, he begins looking in a different direction, checking the history surrounding his orphaned garden boy, Rod Enright. Nga Luong, the Vietnamese owner of the Green Lotus Thai, known as a “Human Fortune Cookie”, plays a surprising role.
While DI Pritchett goes after the circus strongman, the Major is questioning the publican’s brother, a petty thief, an art dealer and an antique dealer. Eventually, he realises that, while Rod isn’t much of a gardener, he will make an excellent investigator, having a photographic memory and an education in some nefarious activities.
Before the culprit is revealed, there are a few twists and red herrings, and the reader is kept guessing about what is going on in Stunston Peveril. The villagers certainly provide some humour, as does Nga Luong with her fortunes, while Bricket proves his powers of deduction are very good, and he gets a taste for solving murders. This is an enjoyable cosy and more of the cast will be welcome.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK
The Summer Fair is on, Lavoisier’s Circus is on Ratchetts Common, and everyone, even the Major, will be at the Costume Ball at Fincham Abbey this evening. When Major Bricket arrives at Highfield House, though, there’s a nasty surprise in his garage. The corpse is dressed as a clown, and before calling the local constabulary, he examines the scene very carefully.
At the Ball, the whole village is agog with wild theories about what the police presence means: illegal immigrants (Rhona, Cosy Collectibles), aliens (Crocker Fosbury, Goat & Compasses publican), a demonic cult (Lena who cleans the vicarage), the Knights Templar protecting the fragment of the true Cross in the chapel (Deidre, Post Office), or an unexploded WW2 bomb (Elvira Finchcombe, Gingham Tea Shop).
The clown costume, and a twisted iron bar send the police in the direction of Lavoisier’s Circus but, after talking to several performers and the ring-mistress, Camille, the Major isn’t convinced. When he learns the identity of the victim, he begins looking in a different direction, checking the history surrounding his orphaned garden boy, Rod Enright. Nga Luong, the Vietnamese owner of the Green Lotus Thai, known as a “Human Fortune Cookie”, plays a surprising role.
While DI Pritchett goes after the circus strongman, the Major is questioning the publican’s brother, a petty thief, an art dealer and an antique dealer. Eventually, he realises that, while Rod isn’t much of a gardener, he will make an excellent investigator, having a photographic memory and an education in some nefarious activities.
Before the culprit is revealed, there are a few twists and red herrings, and the reader is kept guessing about what is going on in Stunston Peveril. The villagers certainly provide some humour, as does Nga Luong with her fortunes, while Bricket proves his powers of deduction are very good, and he gets a taste for solving murders. This is an enjoyable cosy and more of the cast will be welcome.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK
April 9, 2025
3.5 stars
This is a classic little cozy mystery, embracing all the quirks of quaint village life. Major Bricket is newly retired but retired from what? No one can rightly say, although many have their theories. Regardless, his prior training in firearms, interrogation, ingratiating himself with people of all classes, and of course, keeping a stiff upper lip serve him well when he finds a body, dressed as a clown, in his garage.
This is the start of a new series and while I'm not sure I'll read on - the writing is a tad too twee for my tastes - I don't regret the time I spent with these characters. It is an easy, poolside kind of read. The case itself falls somewhere between Clue and Scooby Doo, with a healthy dose of zany hijinks. I was hoping for more circus scenes. I felt the setting was a little wasted having most of the action take place in country houses instead.
If you like Richard Osman and MC Beaton, you might enjoy this!
This is a classic little cozy mystery, embracing all the quirks of quaint village life. Major Bricket is newly retired but retired from what? No one can rightly say, although many have their theories. Regardless, his prior training in firearms, interrogation, ingratiating himself with people of all classes, and of course, keeping a stiff upper lip serve him well when he finds a body, dressed as a clown, in his garage.
This is the start of a new series and while I'm not sure I'll read on - the writing is a tad too twee for my tastes - I don't regret the time I spent with these characters. It is an easy, poolside kind of read. The case itself falls somewhere between Clue and Scooby Doo, with a healthy dose of zany hijinks. I was hoping for more circus scenes. I felt the setting was a little wasted having most of the action take place in country houses instead.
If you like Richard Osman and MC Beaton, you might enjoy this!
May 12, 2025
2.5 stars
April 12, 2025
Major Bricket and the Circus Corpse in the first mystery in a new series by Simon Brett. Major Bricket has, allegedly, retired to a house he has owned for several years, but never properly lived in. Unfortunately, when he arrives at the afore-mentioned house, ready to take up residence, he finds a dead body spreadeagled in his garage.
The book is great fun. Various residents of the village are convinced they know what the Major’s occupation was. Although we are never told the facts, it soon becomes obvious how wide of the mark those guesses are. The secret room behind his clothes cupboard, full of disguises; and his secret – and highly specialised - shooting range, conjure up a delicious image of James Bond retiring from official work but keeping in practice.
There are some irritations: the review copy I received had a lot of sentences without capital letters. I’m assuming that’s the publisher’s way of being able to identify anyone who leaks electronic proof copies of the book. Fair enough, but it is surprisingly distracting. Also. the author creates the novelistic equivalent of catchphrases (think of Captain Mainwaring’s “Stupid boy”): when any untoward event happens in the village, Crocker is sure it’s the work of aliens; Deirdre in the Post Office assets that it’s the Knights Templar; and Lena tell the vicar’s wife that it’s a demonic cult. Some of these catchphrase-like tropes work better than others. For example, Nga Luong is from Vietnam but her customers assume she’s running a Thai restaurant because that’s what they’re used to. So far, so good, but the author’s phrase “Thai (actually Vietnamese)…” is repeated so often that it becomes tedious.
I really enjoyed the book and I shall definitely look out for further books, as it’s described as the first in a series. I have no idea why, but David Niven in his 1967 role as James Bond kept popping into my mind as I read the book. Oh, and the very last sentence in the book is audacious! I won’t repeat it because of the spoiler effect – and you do need to have read the whole book to appreciate it.
#MajorBricketandtheCircusCorpse #NetGalley
The book is great fun. Various residents of the village are convinced they know what the Major’s occupation was. Although we are never told the facts, it soon becomes obvious how wide of the mark those guesses are. The secret room behind his clothes cupboard, full of disguises; and his secret – and highly specialised - shooting range, conjure up a delicious image of James Bond retiring from official work but keeping in practice.
There are some irritations: the review copy I received had a lot of sentences without capital letters. I’m assuming that’s the publisher’s way of being able to identify anyone who leaks electronic proof copies of the book. Fair enough, but it is surprisingly distracting. Also. the author creates the novelistic equivalent of catchphrases (think of Captain Mainwaring’s “Stupid boy”): when any untoward event happens in the village, Crocker is sure it’s the work of aliens; Deirdre in the Post Office assets that it’s the Knights Templar; and Lena tell the vicar’s wife that it’s a demonic cult. Some of these catchphrase-like tropes work better than others. For example, Nga Luong is from Vietnam but her customers assume she’s running a Thai restaurant because that’s what they’re used to. So far, so good, but the author’s phrase “Thai (actually Vietnamese)…” is repeated so often that it becomes tedious.
I really enjoyed the book and I shall definitely look out for further books, as it’s described as the first in a series. I have no idea why, but David Niven in his 1967 role as James Bond kept popping into my mind as I read the book. Oh, and the very last sentence in the book is audacious! I won’t repeat it because of the spoiler effect – and you do need to have read the whole book to appreciate it.
#MajorBricketandtheCircusCorpse #NetGalley
May 23, 2025
Simon Brett has found a new series for his imaginative and contemporary crime writing. I really warmed to Major Bricket and his implied but concealed backstory. This is the first outing for him, and he has a ready made team at his disposal with long-standing connections.
An eclectic author, with a clever use of language, a ready turn of phrase and an ear for village gossip.
It is his Fethering mysteries that found a special place in my heart and I am proud to have read each one in chronological order.
Other projects have been more difficult for me to get into; I must try again with the Decluttering ones and I seem to have collected all the Mrs Pargeter books. Oh dear, I seem to have become a Simon Brett hoarder myself now; Ellen Curtis will have to sort me out for sure, crime sleuthing permitting.
Well this latest enterprise and literary stream seems to have got me excited. Major Bricket and the Circus Corpse has all the joy and entertainment of his Fethering books, packed full of memorable characters and real life crime.
I particularly enjoyed the story involving a traditional visiting circus being the focus of the drama. But it is the visits to the pub and the talk in shops and around the village that will delight the reader. A chance to escape and without danger to oneself. A chance to contemplate rural Suffolk life, county lines and bumbling village coppers.
A book to become invested in and the start, I hope of an expanding series.
An eclectic author, with a clever use of language, a ready turn of phrase and an ear for village gossip.
It is his Fethering mysteries that found a special place in my heart and I am proud to have read each one in chronological order.
Other projects have been more difficult for me to get into; I must try again with the Decluttering ones and I seem to have collected all the Mrs Pargeter books. Oh dear, I seem to have become a Simon Brett hoarder myself now; Ellen Curtis will have to sort me out for sure, crime sleuthing permitting.
Well this latest enterprise and literary stream seems to have got me excited. Major Bricket and the Circus Corpse has all the joy and entertainment of his Fethering books, packed full of memorable characters and real life crime.
I particularly enjoyed the story involving a traditional visiting circus being the focus of the drama. But it is the visits to the pub and the talk in shops and around the village that will delight the reader. A chance to escape and without danger to oneself. A chance to contemplate rural Suffolk life, county lines and bumbling village coppers.
A book to become invested in and the start, I hope of an expanding series.
April 13, 2025
This is the first in a new series from Simon Brett, featuring a mysterious Major who is "retiring" and finally moving full time into a house he bought two decades earlier. His arrival in the village coincides with the arrival of a body dressed as a clown in his garage and soon he's investigating what happened and trying to figure out if the police have wrongly arrested the strong man from the circus that is visiting the village. Meanwhile residents of the village are trying to figure out exactly what Major Bricket's job was that kept him away from home so often.
I've read a lot of Brett's cozy crime books over the last few years (I'm basically up to date with Charles Paris and Mrs Pargeter, and two books behind with Fetherings) and if there is a scale of realism in his books where Jude and Carol live in the most realistic world and Mrs P is the least - then Major Bricket is the new measure of the far end beyond Mrs P. Brett is doing his thing on your spy-thriller-secret identity type novel with more than a dash of the OTT about it. I've been trying to figure out what it reminded me of, and I can't quite work it out - but it's definitely closer to the M C Beaton Hamish MacBeth end of the cozy scale than it Brett usually is.
Probably more of a 2.5 rounded up than a 3.
***Copy from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.*****
I've read a lot of Brett's cozy crime books over the last few years (I'm basically up to date with Charles Paris and Mrs Pargeter, and two books behind with Fetherings) and if there is a scale of realism in his books where Jude and Carol live in the most realistic world and Mrs P is the least - then Major Bricket is the new measure of the far end beyond Mrs P. Brett is doing his thing on your spy-thriller-secret identity type novel with more than a dash of the OTT about it. I've been trying to figure out what it reminded me of, and I can't quite work it out - but it's definitely closer to the M C Beaton Hamish MacBeth end of the cozy scale than it Brett usually is.
Probably more of a 2.5 rounded up than a 3.
***Copy from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.*****
June 15, 2025
I have read many of Simon Brett's books before and enjoyed them particularly the Feathering series and the Charles Paris books. This one, which is heralded on the cover as the first in a new series, had me stumped. I did wonder whether the author was trying to find a new slant on the cosy crime genre. I've read a few and they do tend to feature mostly female protagonists. Was this an attempt to encourage more male readers to try a bit of cosy crime. Whatever the motivation it didn't work for me. You have to suspend disbelief to read this genre but I couldn't relate to any of the characters. And the language was bizarre. The young man, Rod, sounded like he'd walked out of a 1950s sitcom. When Major Bricket asks him if he'd like to try out a shooting range Rod's reply is, " Would I? And how!" It only needed a few 'by joves'. Though perhaps the whole narrative is supposed to be ironic. I could only deduce that perhaps Mr. Brett has a few extra bills to pay and he dashed this one off in double quick time. I definitely won't be looking out for number 2 in the series. The real irony is the list of quotes on the back of the book from esteemed writers and quality newspapers entitled " Praise for Simon Brett" . Not praise for this series that's for sure as one of the authors is Colin Dexter who died in 2017.
June 3, 2025
Major Bricket has an air of mystery about him , he is retiring to his home in Stunston Peveril.
In his previous career he travelled a lot and many of the villagers are unaware of his true occupation, many thinking he was a hotel reviewer.
On his return to his home Highfield House he founds a dead man dressed in a clown costume .
There is a circus in the local area and the Major believes he must be from there.
Why is he at his home and who killed him?
The Major begins to do a bit of investigating himself and with his wealth of knowledge and contacts within the village he soon finds out the truth behind the dead clown .
Another great read from Simon Brett and a strong start to a new series .
Great characters and an enjoyable read!
Thanks to NetGalley and Little,Brown Book Group UK.
In his previous career he travelled a lot and many of the villagers are unaware of his true occupation, many thinking he was a hotel reviewer.
On his return to his home Highfield House he founds a dead man dressed in a clown costume .
There is a circus in the local area and the Major believes he must be from there.
Why is he at his home and who killed him?
The Major begins to do a bit of investigating himself and with his wealth of knowledge and contacts within the village he soon finds out the truth behind the dead clown .
Another great read from Simon Brett and a strong start to a new series .
Great characters and an enjoyable read!
Thanks to NetGalley and Little,Brown Book Group UK.
July 27, 2025
Rating 3
Easy to read, nothing new or genre breaking, ticks all the ‘cosy mystery’ elements.
Tbh wouldn’t have picked this up except it was a kindle 99p deal and had a couple of days left of holiday so didn’t want to start anything that would carry over.
This passed the time, fairly predictable, lead character who is a mystery to his village neighbours but appears to be some type of plot trained intelligence operator, expected number of deaths, all worked out by the last chapter and villains exposed.
Only surprising element was probably the lack of police involvement except in opening and closing chapters of the mystery.
Probably won’t seek out the next one in series if any are published unless another kindle deal.
Easy to read, nothing new or genre breaking, ticks all the ‘cosy mystery’ elements.
Tbh wouldn’t have picked this up except it was a kindle 99p deal and had a couple of days left of holiday so didn’t want to start anything that would carry over.
This passed the time, fairly predictable, lead character who is a mystery to his village neighbours but appears to be some type of plot trained intelligence operator, expected number of deaths, all worked out by the last chapter and villains exposed.
Only surprising element was probably the lack of police involvement except in opening and closing chapters of the mystery.
Probably won’t seek out the next one in series if any are published unless another kindle deal.
March 22, 2025
I love Simon Brett and was excited to see that he had started a new series. However, sadly, Major Bricket and the Circus Corpse didn’t really hit the mark for me.
The author often pokes fun at snobbery and the strange values that people hold through his characters but in this novel, It all felt a bit contrived and over the top. I didn’t really like any of the characters and didn’t find the dialogue as amusing as I generally do in a Brett crime novel.
Unfortunately this novel wasn’t for me but I am very grateful to Net Galley and the publishers, Little Brown Book Group for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The author often pokes fun at snobbery and the strange values that people hold through his characters but in this novel, It all felt a bit contrived and over the top. I didn’t really like any of the characters and didn’t find the dialogue as amusing as I generally do in a Brett crime novel.
Unfortunately this novel wasn’t for me but I am very grateful to Net Galley and the publishers, Little Brown Book Group for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 30, 2025
Major Bricket arrives home from working abroad to find the body of a clown in his garage. Unimpressed with the response of the police, he decides that he’d better look in to things himself, before the wrong person is accused of the crime. Although he’s lived in the village for 20 years, he’s spent most of his working life abroad and the villagers have speculated about his occupation for a long time. This is very, very cosy crime, with exaggerated characters, but it does describe small village life quite well. Amusing in places but not laugh out loud funny, the story flows nicely. For me, it was a bit too cosy, but it was a relaxing read.
Review by: Norfolk Gal, Oundle Crime
Review by: Norfolk Gal, Oundle Crime
October 27, 2025
I would have dnf'ed this if it wasn't so short. I did not root or like any of the characters, and the disbelief required was out of of norms even for a cozy mystery. Whoever was questioned would simply tell everything, sparing no detail, adding additional information even. Certain phrases/opinions stated by both MC and side characters sounded problematic to me - the MC's car's name is a well-known slur for little people... I mean who in their right mind?? The mystery could have been decently interesting but was made boring by the investigation process. All in all, I don't think I will be reaching for the author's books ever again.
April 23, 2025
Major Bricket has come home to retire to his home in Stunston Peveril, from what he is retiring is the source of much interest by the residents of the small village. On opening up the garage door he is welcomed by an unwelcome sight, a body in a clown costume lies in a heap. The police are summoned and soon an arrest is made at the visiting circus, as Major Bricket is sure this is not a good move by the police he starts to investigate himself.
An enjoyable cosy murder and perhaps the first of many, my thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.
An enjoyable cosy murder and perhaps the first of many, my thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.
April 21, 2025
When Major Bricket arrives back at his home to live there on a more permanent basis, he is a bit disgruntled to find a dead body dressed in a clown suit in his garage. Once he has satisfied his curiosity, he calls the police and lets them get on with the investigation. When they arrest the muscle man from the visiting circus he is certain that they have the wrong man and sets out to find the murderer before the circus leaves at the weekend.
An interesting cosy crime.
An interesting cosy crime.
July 29, 2025
I really loved this cozy mystery as it is your quintessential English murder mystery. The main character has a mysterious job that takes him to all corners of the world and he has just retired. He comes home to his estate only to find a dead body, dressed as a clown, in his garage.
The story is predictable and loaded with villains and shady people of every walk of life. It’s a jolly good and satisfying read.
The story is predictable and loaded with villains and shady people of every walk of life. It’s a jolly good and satisfying read.
September 27, 2025
Comparing this to the first of the Ellen, decluttering this one was not nearly as good. I guess it will come later in the series, but we don’t get that much information on Major Bricket but it seems like he’s a retired MI6 or whatever.
The investigative team he is putting together is interesting with the Vietnamese woman chef who is also an info expert and the youth Rod.
The wrap up in the last 30 or so pages was good.
The investigative team he is putting together is interesting with the Vietnamese woman chef who is also an info expert and the youth Rod.
The wrap up in the last 30 or so pages was good.
November 23, 2025
Simon Brett is a prolific author and I have enjoyed most of the books in three of his series - Charles Paris, Fethering and Decluttering. However I struggled to finish the only Blotto & Twinks book I read and I gave up on Mrs Pargeter after two books. This is the first book in a humorous series featuring Major Bricket and it started off OK but got pretty silly towards the end. Not my cup of tea I'm afraid.
June 4, 2025
I tend to enjoy the stories by Simon Brett and this one was no different. I worked out some of the bad eggs before the reveal at the end but not all of the story, which I liked. Nice setting and characters in this new series.
Unfortunately, the audio performance was spoiled by lots of sniffing which was very distracting.
Unfortunately, the audio performance was spoiled by lots of sniffing which was very distracting.
April 30, 2025
Simon Brett fan
I have been reading Simon Brett novels for many years now. I started with Charles Paris ( I am an actor and loved them all) then all of Fethering, all of Mrs Pargetter, and now Major Bricket vol 1. Thank you Simon Brett for years of enjoyment—and keep them coming!
I have been reading Simon Brett novels for many years now. I started with Charles Paris ( I am an actor and loved them all) then all of Fethering, all of Mrs Pargetter, and now Major Bricket vol 1. Thank you Simon Brett for years of enjoyment—and keep them coming!
May 11, 2025
Major Bricket returns to a small Suffolk village/town and discovers a dead body in his garage. A good start for a cosy type mystery. Very tongue in cheek, but I enjoyed it. Locations that are cliched, idealistic, and this all means it was a good read.
June 22, 2025
A fun and engaging read
A complex plot, well-developed characters and a heavy dose of cliched humor make for a fun and enjoyable read in Major Bricket and the Circus Corpse by Simon Brett. I enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.
A complex plot, well-developed characters and a heavy dose of cliched humor make for a fun and enjoyable read in Major Bricket and the Circus Corpse by Simon Brett. I enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.
June 25, 2025
I'm a huge fan of Simon Brett's books but this one let me down. It's a new entry and I think the next book will be better once Brett whittles down plot lines, characters, and story line. I will definitely read the next Major Bricket, as I think it will reach the heights of his other series.
May 19, 2025
well written but just not a good book. It did not keep me gripped and eager to keep reading.
June 13, 2025
More fun from Simon Brett! Another poke at the so-called English village. Major Briket has lots of secrets and ways to solve a murder.
June 25, 2025
Excellent new series. Caper hijinks ensue in an Englis village after a body is discovered.
June 27, 2025
Enjoyable read. Humor mixed with tension to keep you on your toes. Very satisfactory solution - not perfect but just.
July 10, 2025
Enjoyable, but I much prefer Jude and Carole in the Fethering series. They can't be beaten!
July 11, 2025
Good
The characters of Agatha Christie mixed wi th a retired James Bond in modern day with Google.
Cosy murder mystery thats an easy read
The characters of Agatha Christie mixed wi th a retired James Bond in modern day with Google.
Cosy murder mystery thats an easy read
July 13, 2025
Thank you for another great book. Love all the different characters
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