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Masters and Green #1-13
Masters and Green Mysteries Books 1-13
Thirteen gripping British detective mysteries.
Meet Detectives Masters and Green — they might hate each other but they have to work together.
Detective Chief Inspector Masters is a stickler for order. His desk is immaculate, his pencils always sharpened, his case files meticulously organised. He prefers his alone time over social gatherings, settling down with his daily cup of strong, unsweetened tea and some classic literature in the evening. He values intellect over emotion, and isn’t afraid to cut ties with anyone who doesn’t meet to his standards (like a certain inspector).
Inspector Green is a creature of habit. He frequents the same pubs, orders the same meals (a hearty plate of meat and potatoes) and sticks to his routines, a nice pint and footie match on the telly for his evenings. He’s all about tradition and is often found grumbling about the rise of flashy modern techniques and new young ‘hotshots’ like Masters. But beneath his grumpy exterior is a detective who cares deeply about justice.
These detectives might be chalk and cheese, but do they make a good team?
“Masters has now been saddled with Green as assistant on a major case five successive times. He didn’t like the idea that the pairing was becoming accepted as a permanency. He didn’t like Green, either, and definitely didn’t want a passed-over old has-been tied to his tail forever.
Green’s thoughts were equally hostile. Masters had grown too big for his boots. It always happened when young coppers were jammy enough to catch somebody’s eye and get promoted too soon . . .”
• Nobody's Perfect
• Death after Evensong
• Deadly Pattern
• Sweet Poison
• Sick to Death
• Premedicated Murder
• Dread and Water
• Table D'Hote
• The Gimmel Flask
• The Libertines
• Heberden's Seat
• Poacher's Bag
• Golden Rain
Meet Detectives Masters and Green — they might hate each other but they have to work together.
Detective Chief Inspector Masters is a stickler for order. His desk is immaculate, his pencils always sharpened, his case files meticulously organised. He prefers his alone time over social gatherings, settling down with his daily cup of strong, unsweetened tea and some classic literature in the evening. He values intellect over emotion, and isn’t afraid to cut ties with anyone who doesn’t meet to his standards (like a certain inspector).
Inspector Green is a creature of habit. He frequents the same pubs, orders the same meals (a hearty plate of meat and potatoes) and sticks to his routines, a nice pint and footie match on the telly for his evenings. He’s all about tradition and is often found grumbling about the rise of flashy modern techniques and new young ‘hotshots’ like Masters. But beneath his grumpy exterior is a detective who cares deeply about justice.
These detectives might be chalk and cheese, but do they make a good team?
“Masters has now been saddled with Green as assistant on a major case five successive times. He didn’t like the idea that the pairing was becoming accepted as a permanency. He didn’t like Green, either, and definitely didn’t want a passed-over old has-been tied to his tail forever.
Green’s thoughts were equally hostile. Masters had grown too big for his boots. It always happened when young coppers were jammy enough to catch somebody’s eye and get promoted too soon . . .”
• Nobody's Perfect
• Death after Evensong
• Deadly Pattern
• Sweet Poison
• Sick to Death
• Premedicated Murder
• Dread and Water
• Table D'Hote
• The Gimmel Flask
• The Libertines
• Heberden's Seat
• Poacher's Bag
• Golden Rain
2404 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2025
About the author
Douglas Clark
122 books20 followersDouglas Malcolm Jackson Clark was a British author.
He was also known by the pseudonyms James Ditton and Peter Hosier.
He was also known by the pseudonyms James Ditton and Peter Hosier.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 7, 2025
I have to admit, I was initially drawn to this box set of 13 murder mystery novels because it was just £1.99 ($2.99) on Kindle, but it has proved largely enjoyable. The series features a Scotland Yard murder squad, sent out to help struggling provincial police forces, headed up by the urbane Superintendent Masters and the rough and ready (chief) inspector Green (he was promoted part way through the series), who initially seriously dislike each other, adding to the fun.
It's important to realise that these books were written in the 60s and 70s - the earlier books in particular feature a decidedly dated approach to women from the male police. (To be fair, this was also true of, for example, the earlier Morse novels.) What I really liked about the first seven books though, was both the period feel and the old fashioned approach of portraying the entire story from the viewpoint of the investigator (just as was the case, say, with Sherlock Holmes). Once the books reach the 70s, there is more of a tendency to open the novel with a chapter or three featuring the people involved in the crime - but for me (at least in Douglas Clark's hands), it doesn't work as well as giving us exactly the same information viewpoint as the investigators. I hadn't realised how much difference this makes until I was able to make the comparison.
Although one or two of the books have pretty easy-to-guess outcomes, there are some clever plot devices, and a good range of settings. I did get rather fed up with the opening part of The Libertines, set in Yorkshire, where there was too much background before the police got involved - and much of that seemed to involve cricket, which was dull indeed if you don't like the game... but that's only one out of 13. My only other complaint is that it's quite hard to have been reading for many hours and find you are only 25 per cent through the whole - it would feel less of a marathon if each book were a separate file, rather than all 13 in a single Kindle book.
Even so, I enjoyed this extended read, and at the ridiculously cheap rate, it was definitely a good buy.
It's important to realise that these books were written in the 60s and 70s - the earlier books in particular feature a decidedly dated approach to women from the male police. (To be fair, this was also true of, for example, the earlier Morse novels.) What I really liked about the first seven books though, was both the period feel and the old fashioned approach of portraying the entire story from the viewpoint of the investigator (just as was the case, say, with Sherlock Holmes). Once the books reach the 70s, there is more of a tendency to open the novel with a chapter or three featuring the people involved in the crime - but for me (at least in Douglas Clark's hands), it doesn't work as well as giving us exactly the same information viewpoint as the investigators. I hadn't realised how much difference this makes until I was able to make the comparison.
Although one or two of the books have pretty easy-to-guess outcomes, there are some clever plot devices, and a good range of settings. I did get rather fed up with the opening part of The Libertines, set in Yorkshire, where there was too much background before the police got involved - and much of that seemed to involve cricket, which was dull indeed if you don't like the game... but that's only one out of 13. My only other complaint is that it's quite hard to have been reading for many hours and find you are only 25 per cent through the whole - it would feel less of a marathon if each book were a separate file, rather than all 13 in a single Kindle book.
Even so, I enjoyed this extended read, and at the ridiculously cheap rate, it was definitely a good buy.
March 4, 2026
Excellent Detective Series
Masters and Green are as different in their policing work as day is from night, yet they’ve found a way to work well together in solving very unique and unusual cases. Though set a few decades ago, the stories read as relevant to the 21st century. Highly recommended!
Masters and Green are as different in their policing work as day is from night, yet they’ve found a way to work well together in solving very unique and unusual cases. Though set a few decades ago, the stories read as relevant to the 21st century. Highly recommended!
October 30, 2025
I gave this 4 stars because it is well written but I gave up as I could not find the authenticity I was looking for. I do not see why police procedurals always have to have a Detective Inspector or above as the protagonist.
February 2, 2026
Besides being entertained, I also learned a lot on different topics… Some rather unbelievable.
In the last book (13) I can’t believe that crushed laburnum seeds could be mistaken for pepper. Smell of pepper is quite characteristic.
In the last book (13) I can’t believe that crushed laburnum seeds could be mistaken for pepper. Smell of pepper is quite characteristic.
May 30, 2025
enjoyable characters, steady build of plots. Characters are human with flaws, but decent people.
November 10, 2025
A Good Read
Very good detectoring stories , with very descriptive detailing of an astute policeman's mindset. A thoroughly pleasurable read, to be recommended.
Very good detectoring stories , with very descriptive detailing of an astute policeman's mindset. A thoroughly pleasurable read, to be recommended.
February 7, 2026
Great collection
Really enjoyed this selection of books did not want them to finish thank you so much
Please can we have more
Really enjoyed this selection of books did not want them to finish thank you so much
Please can we have more
June 1, 2026
Great read not too grey.
June 23, 2025
Period British detective duo. Well written. Fun twisty plots with increasing character development of duo in each. Always surprise endings. Accurately for period, very sexist, even when the author tries not to be so.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews