What do you think?
Rate this book
The Paperback Sleuth #3
The Paperback Sleuth - Like a Bullet
Humorous cosy-crime caper from the author of the beloved, bestselling Vinyl Detective series in which a feisty, amoral book dealer uses her unique skills to solve fiendish crimes, A love letter to Agatha Christie murder mysteries and classic whodunnits.
When rock musician and World War Two nut Erik Make Loud hires Cordelia, the Paperback Sleuth, to track down a series of rare and highly sought-after Commando novels by the blatantly pseudonymous Butch Raider, it seems like a routine job. But Cordelia soon discovers that the series – and in particular the incredibly rare Commando Gold paperback – are all but impossible to track down.
The books' creator – real name Monty Hanington, once a promising young poet and now an embittered drunk – proves easier to find. And when he reveals to Cordelia that all his stories came from a real ex-commando he'd met on a pub crawl, a man who was only too happy to provide authentic colour to Monty's stories for a pint or two, she realises the tales might just be a little too authentic.
For Commando Gold details a 1944 operation in Greece, in which commandos stumbled on a cache of Nazi gold and decided to bring it home with them. The operation was real, the gold is definitely real and the horde still exists – hidden away in England.
And some people are willing to kill to get it.
When rock musician and World War Two nut Erik Make Loud hires Cordelia, the Paperback Sleuth, to track down a series of rare and highly sought-after Commando novels by the blatantly pseudonymous Butch Raider, it seems like a routine job. But Cordelia soon discovers that the series – and in particular the incredibly rare Commando Gold paperback – are all but impossible to track down.
The books' creator – real name Monty Hanington, once a promising young poet and now an embittered drunk – proves easier to find. And when he reveals to Cordelia that all his stories came from a real ex-commando he'd met on a pub crawl, a man who was only too happy to provide authentic colour to Monty's stories for a pint or two, she realises the tales might just be a little too authentic.
For Commando Gold details a 1944 operation in Greece, in which commandos stumbled on a cache of Nazi gold and decided to bring it home with them. The operation was real, the gold is definitely real and the horde still exists – hidden away in England.
And some people are willing to kill to get it.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2025
16 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 10, 2025
Cordelia Stanmer the: larcenous, narcissistic, Millennial, paperback book, bibliopole was hired to assemble a collectable set of a paperback WWII Military Fiction series. The books, long out-of-print, and written in the 1960’s had recently become the focus of a cult-like following. Little did she know, her search would lead to murder and an 80-year old war crime.
My dead pixels copy was a modest 304 pages. It had a 2025 UK copyright.
Andrew Cartmel is a British novelist, screenwriter, and graphic novel author. He is the author of more than ten novels, including his The Vinyl Detective series. This book of his Paperback Sleuth series was set in his Vinyl Detective Universe. The last book of his I read was Ashram Assassin (The Paperback Sleuth, #2) (my review).
All of Cartmel’s books have been popcorn reads. That he's both a graphic novelist and screenwriter is obvious in his novels. They’re a direct Serial Fiction continuation of the previous book in the series, that many times was telegraphed in that book. They’re also all firmly anchored in the author’s Vinyl Detective, contemporary London, world building and characters. To save time and space he has been leveraging the same: backstory, characters and locations for his two series (Vinyl Detective and Paperback Sleuth) in-flight. Having read the Vinyl Detective books would be helpful, but not necessary to read this book. Having read the books of the Paperback Sleuth books would be most helpful.
Narrative was as expected from the series. I could find no errors, but there was some repetition. Auguring into the prose, I realized how simple it was. I had the niggling feeling it was written with the help of an AI?
The female protagonist and anti-hero Cordelia Stanmer provided the sole POV. The character has been somewhat toned-down from the original book. The Sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll, that pushed that first book in the series into the New Adult (NA) category are long gone. Cartmel, now just has her getting occasionally drunk or stoned, and having undocumented telephone sex. In retrospect, that’s too bad. It’s led to a blanding of the character. She’s still a narcissistic sociopath, but she has less fun.
Plotting for the series’ books were similarly scripted in the Crime of the Week fashion. It goes like this: Cordelia lives a privileged, London hipster, lifestyle; there’s a rare paperback or paperbacks to find; Cordelia was unscrupulous about getting them (it’s surprising how many criminals have rare paperback books?); Cordelia experiences frequent strokes of serendipity; Death or at least mayhem ensue, which Cordelia survives unscathed; Cordelia was also unperturbed by the fallout of events she instigates; Cordelia solves the mystery, and receives financial reward reselling paperbacks of dubious provenance.
In this case, Cartmel has Cordelia paid to assemble a complete set of an out-of-print war fiction series for a rich, aged and retired, rockstar. That character was recycled from the author’s Vinyl Detective books. Serendipitously, another Vinyl Detective character, the: self absorbed, computer nerd, vinyl record collecting, and stoner Tinkler, puts her on the trail for a source of the books. This was done in a vain hope of receiving sexual favors. That someone wants this long-dead, series of out-of-print war books to stay dead and out of the public eye leads to murder. Cordelia’s avarice and persistence tips her to the murderer and leads to attempts on her life.
I have disliked the Cordelia character less and less from the first book. I’ve come to find her merely annoyingly boring, rather than loathsome. And that’s a shame. She’s still a skiver, hipster, sociopathic narcissist, getting along by flipping paperback novels she steals, with no thoughts on the future, or the carnage left behind her. That’s become boring.
As in all the previous books, “The Lord protects: babies, drunks, fools and Cordelia.” Even when she knows that a situation was likely to go tits up, she bares her chest! However, she’s wearing a metaphorical, bulletproof sports bra, and escapes without any serious harm. Most annoying has been the somewhat recent addition of the Deus ex machina: Edwin. He's Cordelia’s well-heeled, much older but spry, pensioner landlord. He’s also a serial killer, but he’s a good serial killer, like Jeff Lindsay’s Dexter character. When someone was trying to kill her, Cordelia now asks Edwin to “kill the killer”. He’s also an able henchman, and owns a car. (Cordelia like many hipsters, doesn’t drive.) Cordelia and Edwin spend a lot of scenes drinking connoisseur-grade hot cocoa, and discussing retribution.
Also, Cordialia living in Edwin's rented "small, attic apartment", shows no concern for it, what must be now, filled to the rafters with paperback books of her personal collection and her sales stock? In addition, unlike most folks in the UK running small businesses, Cordelia never considers running afoul of Inland Revenue. Her cooking the books should be in at least one scene (per book) where she launders the cost of stolen paperbacks, being sold at extravagant prices to clients?
The sex, drugs and rock'n roll, of this story was down in the noise. The nominally, bisexual Cordelia appears to be experiencing a lack of a sex drive? This has progressed as the series has gotten long. If Cordelia had been Gen-Z, I’d think she was going sex sober? I’m waiting for Cartmel to equate it with Cordelia’s success as a Paperback Sleuth, and have her get therapy. (That’s what hipsters do?) However, she still strings Tinkler along, because: he has a car; he’s a “computer wizard”; and he’s helpful, without her feeling any obligation. Folks did imbibe, although it was mostly beer and wine. Chi chi flavored vodkas did feature in two scenes though. Cordelia only has more than one drink when someone else was paying—then she drinks top-shelf or the best vintage. (Nobody seems to notice her frugality?) Cordelia still gets stoned, but she rarely offers weed to folks. Musical references were surprisingly absent. Typically, Cartmel, who is a musician, weaves contemporary Rock/Pop into the narrative. It has been one of the better parts of the series. Not in this book. It was sorely missed.
There was violence. “Blunt force trauma”, vehicular homicide, and asphyxiation being favored in this book. Series-wise, Cartmel favors vehicular homicide attempts on the pedestrian (non-driving) Cordelia. Body count was low.
Locations in the story involved: Cambridge, south west London (Peckham), and the tony South Ken. I used to live in Putney, which is nearby to Cordelia's "crib". Typically, I can pinpoint a location from memory out of the narrative. There felt like there were too many charity shops (all unnamed), in the locations she went on paperback book crawls, to find stock to sell?
Cartmel typically does relatively well with the Whodunit. The Perp being obfuscated until near the end, within a school of Red Herrings. Not in this book. Serendipitously, Cordelia lucks onto a Lovable Traitors. The Informants quick-step the solution of the murder and both put and take herself out of the murderer’s crosshairs. Also breaking with his M.O., Cordelia spared the reader assuming the role of the Great Detective. She typically does this to reprise the reader “what happened”.
The Paperback Sleuth series is becoming a disappointment to me. Note, I’ve stopped reading his Vinyl Detective series. At eight books, its characters were as unchanging and predictable as its plots. This series likewise has become too predictable, and I’m starting to not dislike the protagonist. Frankly, I liked the series better, when I hated the main character. That gave me something to do. With this book, Cartmel, backed-off and wrote a very vanilla version his never-ending story. He should have written a story I would have loved to hate or at least titillate me--just a little bit!
In summary, this "volume" of The Paperback Sleuth graphic novel in prose, was just meh. This series is quickly converging with the The Vinyl Detective, which, if you like that, you’ll like this.
My dead pixels copy was a modest 304 pages. It had a 2025 UK copyright.
Andrew Cartmel is a British novelist, screenwriter, and graphic novel author. He is the author of more than ten novels, including his The Vinyl Detective series. This book of his Paperback Sleuth series was set in his Vinyl Detective Universe. The last book of his I read was Ashram Assassin (The Paperback Sleuth, #2) (my review).
All of Cartmel’s books have been popcorn reads. That he's both a graphic novelist and screenwriter is obvious in his novels. They’re a direct Serial Fiction continuation of the previous book in the series, that many times was telegraphed in that book. They’re also all firmly anchored in the author’s Vinyl Detective, contemporary London, world building and characters. To save time and space he has been leveraging the same: backstory, characters and locations for his two series (Vinyl Detective and Paperback Sleuth) in-flight. Having read the Vinyl Detective books would be helpful, but not necessary to read this book. Having read the books of the Paperback Sleuth books would be most helpful.
Narrative was as expected from the series. I could find no errors, but there was some repetition. Auguring into the prose, I realized how simple it was. I had the niggling feeling it was written with the help of an AI?
Tinkler shrugged.That’s a lot of “saids”? It also shows Tinkler was a doormat and what a bioch Cordelia could be. As in all his books, Cartmel continues to wordplay with his readers. Typically, he sends me to the dictionary at least twice over vernacular found in the dialog. Maybe my vocabulary is improving? That wasn’t necessary for this book.
“Don’t shrug while you’re driving.” said Cordelia.
“Why? It doesn’t affect my driving.” said Tinkler
“It looks slovenly.” said Cordelia …
The female protagonist and anti-hero Cordelia Stanmer provided the sole POV. The character has been somewhat toned-down from the original book. The Sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll, that pushed that first book in the series into the New Adult (NA) category are long gone. Cartmel, now just has her getting occasionally drunk or stoned, and having undocumented telephone sex. In retrospect, that’s too bad. It’s led to a blanding of the character. She’s still a narcissistic sociopath, but she has less fun.
Plotting for the series’ books were similarly scripted in the Crime of the Week fashion. It goes like this: Cordelia lives a privileged, London hipster, lifestyle; there’s a rare paperback or paperbacks to find; Cordelia was unscrupulous about getting them (it’s surprising how many criminals have rare paperback books?); Cordelia experiences frequent strokes of serendipity; Death or at least mayhem ensue, which Cordelia survives unscathed; Cordelia was also unperturbed by the fallout of events she instigates; Cordelia solves the mystery, and receives financial reward reselling paperbacks of dubious provenance.
In this case, Cartmel has Cordelia paid to assemble a complete set of an out-of-print war fiction series for a rich, aged and retired, rockstar. That character was recycled from the author’s Vinyl Detective books. Serendipitously, another Vinyl Detective character, the: self absorbed, computer nerd, vinyl record collecting, and stoner Tinkler, puts her on the trail for a source of the books. This was done in a vain hope of receiving sexual favors. That someone wants this long-dead, series of out-of-print war books to stay dead and out of the public eye leads to murder. Cordelia’s avarice and persistence tips her to the murderer and leads to attempts on her life.
I have disliked the Cordelia character less and less from the first book. I’ve come to find her merely annoyingly boring, rather than loathsome. And that’s a shame. She’s still a skiver, hipster, sociopathic narcissist, getting along by flipping paperback novels she steals, with no thoughts on the future, or the carnage left behind her. That’s become boring.
As in all the previous books, “The Lord protects: babies, drunks, fools and Cordelia.” Even when she knows that a situation was likely to go tits up, she bares her chest! However, she’s wearing a metaphorical, bulletproof sports bra, and escapes without any serious harm. Most annoying has been the somewhat recent addition of the Deus ex machina: Edwin. He's Cordelia’s well-heeled, much older but spry, pensioner landlord. He’s also a serial killer, but he’s a good serial killer, like Jeff Lindsay’s Dexter character. When someone was trying to kill her, Cordelia now asks Edwin to “kill the killer”. He’s also an able henchman, and owns a car. (Cordelia like many hipsters, doesn’t drive.) Cordelia and Edwin spend a lot of scenes drinking connoisseur-grade hot cocoa, and discussing retribution.
Also, Cordialia living in Edwin's rented "small, attic apartment", shows no concern for it, what must be now, filled to the rafters with paperback books of her personal collection and her sales stock? In addition, unlike most folks in the UK running small businesses, Cordelia never considers running afoul of Inland Revenue. Her cooking the books should be in at least one scene (per book) where she launders the cost of stolen paperbacks, being sold at extravagant prices to clients?
The sex, drugs and rock'n roll, of this story was down in the noise. The nominally, bisexual Cordelia appears to be experiencing a lack of a sex drive? This has progressed as the series has gotten long. If Cordelia had been Gen-Z, I’d think she was going sex sober? I’m waiting for Cartmel to equate it with Cordelia’s success as a Paperback Sleuth, and have her get therapy. (That’s what hipsters do?) However, she still strings Tinkler along, because: he has a car; he’s a “computer wizard”; and he’s helpful, without her feeling any obligation. Folks did imbibe, although it was mostly beer and wine. Chi chi flavored vodkas did feature in two scenes though. Cordelia only has more than one drink when someone else was paying—then she drinks top-shelf or the best vintage. (Nobody seems to notice her frugality?) Cordelia still gets stoned, but she rarely offers weed to folks. Musical references were surprisingly absent. Typically, Cartmel, who is a musician, weaves contemporary Rock/Pop into the narrative. It has been one of the better parts of the series. Not in this book. It was sorely missed.
There was violence. “Blunt force trauma”, vehicular homicide, and asphyxiation being favored in this book. Series-wise, Cartmel favors vehicular homicide attempts on the pedestrian (non-driving) Cordelia. Body count was low.
Locations in the story involved: Cambridge, south west London (Peckham), and the tony South Ken. I used to live in Putney, which is nearby to Cordelia's "crib". Typically, I can pinpoint a location from memory out of the narrative. There felt like there were too many charity shops (all unnamed), in the locations she went on paperback book crawls, to find stock to sell?
Cartmel typically does relatively well with the Whodunit. The Perp being obfuscated until near the end, within a school of Red Herrings. Not in this book. Serendipitously, Cordelia lucks onto a Lovable Traitors. The Informants quick-step the solution of the murder and both put and take herself out of the murderer’s crosshairs. Also breaking with his M.O., Cordelia spared the reader assuming the role of the Great Detective. She typically does this to reprise the reader “what happened”.
The Paperback Sleuth series is becoming a disappointment to me. Note, I’ve stopped reading his Vinyl Detective series. At eight books, its characters were as unchanging and predictable as its plots. This series likewise has become too predictable, and I’m starting to not dislike the protagonist. Frankly, I liked the series better, when I hated the main character. That gave me something to do. With this book, Cartmel, backed-off and wrote a very vanilla version his never-ending story. He should have written a story I would have loved to hate or at least titillate me--just a little bit!
In summary, this "volume" of The Paperback Sleuth graphic novel in prose, was just meh. This series is quickly converging with the The Vinyl Detective, which, if you like that, you’ll like this.
August 20, 2025
A few initial thoughts for anyone not born in the 1960s and 1970s. Commando was a weekly roughly book sized comic that included war stories (mostly if not always WW2) covering a variety of locations and services. The first place I ever heard of a Stirling Bomber, learn my first German (Gott in Himmil, Raus..Raus, Actung and various ranks etc). Named after the RM Commandos.
Cordelia Starmer (sorry I couldn't resist) the baby sister of the delightful Stinky, inherited the Starmer family trait if not being very nice, stealing anything not tied down or relevance and being a through bad egg. Whilst I intend to reread her introductory story, Andrew made her so dreadful, I didn't enjoy the book. He has successfully introduced a few more likeable traits and softened her worst edges, so she has become an amusing self centered bad egg. I'm sure there some borderline personality disorder somewhere mind you. Tinker is besotted with her (but then he always is). That's his personality disorder.
Only one criticism in the first couple of chapters is that whilst Helene might refer to the Vinyl detective, Tinker would certainly use his first name (or at least a friendly nick name), especially given that Cordelia isnt (yet) part of the record team.
Well I finished the book quite a few weeks ago now and I forgot to update the review. Whilst I enjoyed it, the plot isnt particularly memorable (I struggle when writing this on 19/8/2025) to recall it in detail). It's enjoyable, but the series is now interfacing into the Vinyl detective series too much whilst lacking many of the elements that make that series stand out. Cordelia and her serial killer house "mate" as a team doesnt work (Cordelia faces no real jeopardy of any sort). Whilst I enjoy the light read style and the setting (for what they are) the series needs a rethink I feel.
Cordelia Starmer (sorry I couldn't resist) the baby sister of the delightful Stinky, inherited the Starmer family trait if not being very nice, stealing anything not tied down or relevance and being a through bad egg. Whilst I intend to reread her introductory story, Andrew made her so dreadful, I didn't enjoy the book. He has successfully introduced a few more likeable traits and softened her worst edges, so she has become an amusing self centered bad egg. I'm sure there some borderline personality disorder somewhere mind you. Tinker is besotted with her (but then he always is). That's his personality disorder.
Only one criticism in the first couple of chapters is that whilst Helene might refer to the Vinyl detective, Tinker would certainly use his first name (or at least a friendly nick name), especially given that Cordelia isnt (yet) part of the record team.
Well I finished the book quite a few weeks ago now and I forgot to update the review. Whilst I enjoyed it, the plot isnt particularly memorable (I struggle when writing this on 19/8/2025) to recall it in detail). It's enjoyable, but the series is now interfacing into the Vinyl detective series too much whilst lacking many of the elements that make that series stand out. Cordelia and her serial killer house "mate" as a team doesnt work (Cordelia faces no real jeopardy of any sort). Whilst I enjoy the light read style and the setting (for what they are) the series needs a rethink I feel.
June 30, 2025
Titan Books provided an early galley for review.
This is the third book in the Paperback Sleuth series. I was happy to be diving back in once more.
Cartmel brings along all the usual cast of characters from this series as well as some from The Vinyl Detective novels. He also introduces a number of new characters, expanding this fictional world as each adventure unfolds. This is a nice reward for the dedicated readers like myself.
I continue to enjoy Cartmel's writing style which is a nice blend of characterization and plot. The evolution of the relationship between Cordelia and her landlord Edwin continues, giving him a more expanded role in her adventurous investigations without compromising her agency. I too liked how this one ended in a manner that was entertaining (and not at all something I might have predicted or would have imagined).
I look forward to Cordelia's next adventure, whenever it comes.
This is the third book in the Paperback Sleuth series. I was happy to be diving back in once more.
Cartmel brings along all the usual cast of characters from this series as well as some from The Vinyl Detective novels. He also introduces a number of new characters, expanding this fictional world as each adventure unfolds. This is a nice reward for the dedicated readers like myself.
I continue to enjoy Cartmel's writing style which is a nice blend of characterization and plot. The evolution of the relationship between Cordelia and her landlord Edwin continues, giving him a more expanded role in her adventurous investigations without compromising her agency. I too liked how this one ended in a manner that was entertaining (and not at all something I might have predicted or would have imagined).
I look forward to Cordelia's next adventure, whenever it comes.
July 15, 2025
Andrew Cartmel writes great mysteries, full of interesting characters and snappy dialogue. His humor is top notch, and the subject matter (rare military paperbacks, in this case) is always interesting. Cordelia was more likable in this book, showing more heart and d Ed mostly, while still retaining her gruff, slightly amoral charm!
July 9, 2025
3 1/2 stars. Cordelia isn't your typical cozy main character. She's amoral and doesn't mind letting someone pull something over on the fuzz. Particularly if it benefits her. She fits in with the writer's other series characters, the Vinyl Detective, quite well. In fact, some of the characters from the Vinyl Detective show up here. But Cordelia is unique enough to stand up as her own character and she will have to be to survive her latest case.
She has been hired by a retired rock star to find the last book in a series of pulp fiction WWII commando stories. It was written under a pseudonym and no one even knows if the last book actually exists. Her investigations lead her to uncover that the story was inspired by a real mission. It was top secret then and someone is willing to kill to still keep it under wraps.
If you are tired of the typical cozy you might want to try this series. In fact this might be considered an antidote to the cozy. Quirky characters, unusual story lines, humor, and definitely not a completely clean read is what you can expect from this book. Take the dive and enjoy.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
She has been hired by a retired rock star to find the last book in a series of pulp fiction WWII commando stories. It was written under a pseudonym and no one even knows if the last book actually exists. Her investigations lead her to uncover that the story was inspired by a real mission. It was top secret then and someone is willing to kill to still keep it under wraps.
If you are tired of the typical cozy you might want to try this series. In fact this might be considered an antidote to the cozy. Quirky characters, unusual story lines, humor, and definitely not a completely clean read is what you can expect from this book. Take the dive and enjoy.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
July 27, 2025
2.5 stars rounded down. Comedy writing styles are tough, because humour is so subjective - one person’s hilarious reading is another one’s teeth grinding. Sadly, this book fell more into the latter end of the scale for me - it just didn’t work, and when I got to one particularly clunky paragraph, I nearly gave up:
“But at this point Cordelia had to be very careful.
Monty Harrington had emphasised to her—that is, Cordelia—that while Melantha Spatetree could be very useful to her—that is, Cordelia—if she realised that Monty had put her—that is, Cordelia—onto her—that is, Melantha—then Melantha would not only be very upset—for reasons that Monty wasn’t willing to explain—but that she would also immediately cease to be useful to her. That is, Cordelia.”
Dear lord…
The mystery itself was OK, but Cordelia is annoying and hard to like given she will happily steal books. So add in the “comedy” writing style, and this wasn’t for me.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
“But at this point Cordelia had to be very careful.
Monty Harrington had emphasised to her—that is, Cordelia—that while Melantha Spatetree could be very useful to her—that is, Cordelia—if she realised that Monty had put her—that is, Cordelia—onto her—that is, Melantha—then Melantha would not only be very upset—for reasons that Monty wasn’t willing to explain—but that she would also immediately cease to be useful to her. That is, Cordelia.”
Dear lord…
The mystery itself was OK, but Cordelia is annoying and hard to like given she will happily steal books. So add in the “comedy” writing style, and this wasn’t for me.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
August 24, 2025
4-4.5 out of 5
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC
I have to admit that I didn't love the first book in this series - I just couldn't find much to like about the protagonist. The second instalment helped humanize Cordelia for me, and I looked forward to a third book.
Like a Bullet has all the elements of a good 'caper' - a lot of French farce type sneaking around, a solid background (I've heard) in 'commando' fiction that reminded me of Alistair Maclean, and a selection of crossover characters from the Vinyl Detective books.
While Cordelia is (as many people have noted) quite amoral, I've noticed that she doesn't 'liberate' rare books from anyone who would suffer from losing them, and she's obviously not living the high life from the proceeds.
It's refreshing to read a witty and well-written puzzle mystery that doesn't take itself too seriously - I'd recommend this to people who liked Peter Mayle's 'caper' books and don't mind a bit of Dexter on the side.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC
I have to admit that I didn't love the first book in this series - I just couldn't find much to like about the protagonist. The second instalment helped humanize Cordelia for me, and I looked forward to a third book.
Like a Bullet has all the elements of a good 'caper' - a lot of French farce type sneaking around, a solid background (I've heard) in 'commando' fiction that reminded me of Alistair Maclean, and a selection of crossover characters from the Vinyl Detective books.
While Cordelia is (as many people have noted) quite amoral, I've noticed that she doesn't 'liberate' rare books from anyone who would suffer from losing them, and she's obviously not living the high life from the proceeds.
It's refreshing to read a witty and well-written puzzle mystery that doesn't take itself too seriously - I'd recommend this to people who liked Peter Mayle's 'caper' books and don't mind a bit of Dexter on the side.
July 25, 2025
Rating 3.5
Enjoyable read that passed the time entertainingly enough.
Tbh nothing really memorable about the story or the writing.
Similar to its companion series ‘vinyl detective’ this is centred on a main character who searches for editions of paperback books as required by her clients.
There is always a hitch regarding the books she is looking for generally down to rarity, other collectors or other characters with reasons to stop her getting the books.
The difference between this novel (the third) and the first is akin to night and day when looking at the main character. I assume that when AC realised that the series had more legs than a standalone he consciously made the decision to make the main character more pleasant and least easier to spend time with.
Overall it was an okay read for me, at some point must get back to reading the vinyl detective series as well.
Enjoyable read that passed the time entertainingly enough.
Tbh nothing really memorable about the story or the writing.
Similar to its companion series ‘vinyl detective’ this is centred on a main character who searches for editions of paperback books as required by her clients.
There is always a hitch regarding the books she is looking for generally down to rarity, other collectors or other characters with reasons to stop her getting the books.
The difference between this novel (the third) and the first is akin to night and day when looking at the main character. I assume that when AC realised that the series had more legs than a standalone he consciously made the decision to make the main character more pleasant and least easier to spend time with.
Overall it was an okay read for me, at some point must get back to reading the vinyl detective series as well.
September 7, 2025
Cordelia’s latest job is to track down the Commando books by Butch Raider, including the rare, some say non-existent, 13th book in the series, Commando Gold. But as Cordelia learns more about the series and the author, she realises the 13th book might actually be unlucky for her, because someone is willing to kill to stop the truth coming out.
An excellent Paperback Sleuth novel, really interesting and full of the usual characters who make this series quite fun. Cordelia is still quite an interesting character as well, prepared to live on the edge, a lovable rogue.
An excellent Paperback Sleuth novel, really interesting and full of the usual characters who make this series quite fun. Cordelia is still quite an interesting character as well, prepared to live on the edge, a lovable rogue.
July 27, 2025
This was the best of the three Paperback sleuth novels to date. I also enjoyed the fact that while it did feature Vinyl Detective regulars, Tinkler and Erik MakeLoud this was pretty much just Cardelia's story. I also enjoyed that Cartmel wrote this like it was a British suspense novel in the vein of LaCarre and Deighton. It is still his world and everything is pretty light but it feels a little different than some of his other books. Well done.
July 26, 2025
3rd in Paper back Sleuth series if you like first two this is a must read.
This series is set in the same world as the Vinyl Detective series cross over characters & by same author nice.
A must read.😀
This series is set in the same world as the Vinyl Detective series cross over characters & by same author nice.
A must read.😀
July 29, 2025
I am enjoying both this series and the Vinyl Detective series. Both are great fun and enjoyable. I have to give the nod to the Vinyl Detective series due to the characyters but this series is getting better with each publication.
August 1, 2025
At this point I’m basically all in on both The Paperback Sleuth and The Vinyl Detective, and I greatly enjoyed this tale of skulduggery around ‘death or glory’ Second World War novels. But is it me, or is Cordelia a lot less amoral than she once was?
August 17, 2025
Another good entry in the Paperback Sleuth series—maybe the best, as the characters have already been through 2 other books, so the introductory bits are done and the story moves along that much better.
August 30, 2025
67-2025. Another entertaining adventure with the Paperback Sleuth. She is hired to find fine copies of a series of WW2 commando books, and much ensues. Always a pleasure to hang out with Cordelia and her pals. Looking forward as always to the next adventure.
October 4, 2025
Andrew Cartmel has a great talent for witty dialogue...but like many others in the mystery-crazed-obsessed genre dominating fiction at the moment, his story is perfectly fine, cozy and competent...but it doesn't get much more of a reaction from me beyond this.
August 24, 2025
What can I say? I continue to enjoy everything he writes.
September 3, 2025
The return of Cordelia Stanmer, aka The Paperback Sleuth (she's had cards made and everything) is always welcome. Unlike her counterpart in the world or rare record collecting, Cartmel's Vinyl Detective, Cordelia's got few scruples (she's certainly up for a bit of burglary) when it comes to securing down a rare, pristine paperback volume, so life is always exciting when she's around. These books are a third mystery, a third scavenger hunt, and, perhaps, the other third has a distinct flavour of mild hedonism, Cordelia employing her gains in the pursuit of pleasures both licit and... not.
In Like a Bullet, Cordelia's been engaged by wealthy, retired rock star Erik Make Loud (known to those who've been reading the Detective's adventures) to locate a copy of the legendary 1960s novel Commando Gold. This is a book so rare that online wars break out over whether it even exists. How can she resist that challenge (and the promised reward for achieving it)?
Especially since, on acquiring the previous books in the series, she finds them eminently readable (not really what she'd expected from an author called "Butch Raider").
As ever, though, Cordelia doesn't really know what she's getting into. Someone really, really doesn't want that book found. There's more at stake here than a musty, mouldering volume of war stories. Soon, she' dodging a very determined enemy... one very familiar with the kinds of techniques described in the books.
As ever, I had great fun with Cartmel's latest. Cordelia's a very distinct, very well-formed character, more of a loner than the Detective (while she eventually has to ask for help in this story from her ex hard-man landlord Edwin, she generally handles things herself rather than travelling with an entourage like the Detective). She's a planner, often (but not always) one step ahead of everyone else. She inhabits the same slightly raffish south west London. Cartmel also has a good eye for location and geography, mapping out backstreets, pubs and routes into and out of London, as well as giving us glimpses of the strange characters (never quite too strange to be believable) who live there.
An excellent addition to the series.
In Like a Bullet, Cordelia's been engaged by wealthy, retired rock star Erik Make Loud (known to those who've been reading the Detective's adventures) to locate a copy of the legendary 1960s novel Commando Gold. This is a book so rare that online wars break out over whether it even exists. How can she resist that challenge (and the promised reward for achieving it)?
Especially since, on acquiring the previous books in the series, she finds them eminently readable (not really what she'd expected from an author called "Butch Raider").
As ever, though, Cordelia doesn't really know what she's getting into. Someone really, really doesn't want that book found. There's more at stake here than a musty, mouldering volume of war stories. Soon, she' dodging a very determined enemy... one very familiar with the kinds of techniques described in the books.
As ever, I had great fun with Cartmel's latest. Cordelia's a very distinct, very well-formed character, more of a loner than the Detective (while she eventually has to ask for help in this story from her ex hard-man landlord Edwin, she generally handles things herself rather than travelling with an entourage like the Detective). She's a planner, often (but not always) one step ahead of everyone else. She inhabits the same slightly raffish south west London. Cartmel also has a good eye for location and geography, mapping out backstreets, pubs and routes into and out of London, as well as giving us glimpses of the strange characters (never quite too strange to be believable) who live there.
An excellent addition to the series.
July 22, 2025
Great story with some nice twists and turns some good character development. Looking forward to the next and a cross over would be nice with the vinyl detective..just saying 😀😀
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews