Root of All Evil

Andrew Basnett #2

by E.X. Ferrars

Retired professor Andrew Basnett, having proven himself as an unlikely amateur detective, works to solve the murder of a very wealthy relative

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Mystery Thriller

182 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Aka Elizabeth Ferrars

Elizabeth Ferrars is a pseudonym of Morna Doris MacTaggart Brown. She was born in Rangoon, Burma.

Reviews

[Jazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tale as old as time that never gets old. Elderly person, greedy relatives, faithful house staff, threats of an altered will, and murder.

Elizabeth (E.X.) Ferrars has become a favorite of mine in the last two years ever since I “discovered” her. I see similarities with Christie in that she keeps her mysteries relatively simple on the surface and tells them mainly through dialog, character interactions, and with minimal description. Her books are generally short ones.

This is the only series she wrote—most are stand-alones—concerning Andrew Bassett, a retired botany professor, though his botanical expertise hasn’t figured much into the books so far. To be honest, he’s somewhat dull, but his purpose is to remain mostly an observer, relating what he discovers to the reader, and then pulling it all together in the end. Another very satisfying read.

[Calum Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

B:

As with the first in this series, the characterisation could be better. But solid, well-reasoned, and Basnett has an intuitive and likeable personality. An easy if unspectacular read.

[Santosh Iyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was first published in 1984. The main character is Andrew Basnett, a retired professor of Botany. He accepts an invitation to spend the Easter at the house of his 85 year old cousin Felicity Silvester. Apart from Felicity, a housekeeper Agnes Cavell and a manservant Laycock live in the house.
Andrew reaches there on Thursday afternoon. On the same day after his arrival, a previous housekeeper Margot Weldon is found dead on the road, apparently killed in a hit-and-run accident. Margot had worked in the house earlier but was sacked 4 years ago since she was found forging Felicity’s cheques. Curiously, a letter is found in her handbag signed by her and addressed to the Chief Constable where she confesses to the murder of Felicity. Yet Felicity is very much alive !
On further investigation of Margot’s body, it is found that she was actually strangled to death and then a car ran over her.
The next day, Friday, there are other visitors to the house for a family party: Felicity’s son Derek, his wife Frances, his children Quentin and Georgina and Quentin’s fiance Patricia. After an altercation, Felicity decides to disown all her relatives and leave all her money to Agnes Cavell. She intends to call her solicitor the next day to change the will.
On Saturday morning, Felicity is found dead in her bedroom, killed by strangling. Later, it is discovered that her jewels are missing.
Who killed Margot and Felicity ? Are the two murders linked and by the same person? Who stole the jewels ?
The case is investigated by Chief Superintendent Theobald assisted by Andrew who acts as an amateur detective.
The plot is quite good and intriguing. The characterisation is skillful. The story is gripping with suspense maintained throughout till the end. Highly recommended.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not much into cozies, but this is a fun enough series. Starring retired Botany prof Andrew Basnett. Widowed 10 years now, and at 70 his memory is not what it used to be.
Ferrars (Elizabeth - Morna Doris MacTaggart/Brown - her husband was a well regarded prof of Botany himself) keeps it moving. Introduces characters quickly (his memory loss helps fill in the background when he remembers who people are), and every page seems to have a hint or clue or possible inter-personal connection to it. At about 217 pp, it is quick and to the point.
I wish there had been a bit more Botany to it, as there was in the first title of this series, but I will continue to read them here and there. Hmm, the next one is set in Australia, which may have more Botany to it. But I'm not sure I wlll stay around for all 8 of the titles in this series!
I kind of figured out who done it, and hidden family connections - but the wrap up of the case at the end makes things clear, and adds a nice twist to it all. But this was written with Philip Larkin's infamous, "Family, they f*ck you up" kept in mind at all times, more so than the Kipling that keeps running through Basnett's aging mind.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Andrew Basnett is invited to the home of his late wife's aunt, he expects to have a lovely Easter Weekend in the countryside.
With the murder of a former companion/housekeeper and a confession of having killed the aunt (who is very much alive), the hope for peace and quiet is quickly disrupted.
The greedy family, puzzling help that Aunt Felicity has hired, and police involvement things definitely turn out much differently than Mr. Basnett had hoped.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another mystery following the absentminded Professor Andrew Basnett. It is a classic country house mystery, with an elderly woman and a series of grasping relatives and servants waiting for her to die. It started off promisingly but by the end fell flat. I felt like the first murder's solution came out of nowhere and was wrapped up quickly because the other clues needed to move forward.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

E.X. Ferrars tells a good tale

Andrew Basnett is invited to have Easter with a relative of his deceased wife. Felicity, the relative, is a rather arrogant, self focused woman who changes her will regularly and uses her will th threaten her family. The result is quite a fun murder mystery. Short and to the point. Greed abounds.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't quite know what to think. From what I read concerning this author I was disappointed. While reading along, I didn't know whether the read was meant to be tongue in cheek or taken seriously. Quite a bit of devil's advocate with each clue.
I'll read no more from this author.

[Teddi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slow mystery with an elderly professor as the observer to crimes among some very unlikable people.
It you like your books to be all talk and thinking with no real action at all, then you'll like this series.
I really only finished it to get to the conclusion.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good enough classic mystery: set in a country house with a limited number of suspects, a dysfunctional family and a will about to be changed. The book has a couple of unusual twists and a pleasant main character.

[We Are All Mad Here · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course no one compares to Agatha Christie, but I get a bit of an AC feeling from these books. They're not long, they don't waste words, and the characters are interesting enough for the most part. And, they are cozy without being cute. I am a fan.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

good series

But definitely reeks of 1920s and thirties. No suspense or violence…except for the requisite deaths off screen. My kind of puzzle.

[Virginia Kessen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little slow but a fun classic mystery.

[Allison Henle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the mystery itself but good heavens, all of these people are depressing...

[Kathy Moberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read, written in the 80s, that stands up well.

[DonHSr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay. Not a book that I would go out of my way to recommend. Good enough for a time filler between trips to the library.

[Keeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was good but our amateur accidental investigator, Professor Andrew Basnett, continues to be an incredibly non-compelling protagonist. He has all the quirks of a Poirot with none of the acumen.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little mystery set in the British countryside near London which focuses upon a family with an elderly very wealthy mother/grandmother who can be very difficult to get along with. Most of the main characters are somewhat unpleasant to unsavory. Money is the root of all evil here as the wealthy relative is murdered after she has told her family that she has called her lawyer and is going to disinherit them all the next day.

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bettie's Books

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series. The main character is the male version of Miss Marple, in my opinion. And since I love the Miss Marple series, this series by Elizabeth Ferrars is right up my alley.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed trying to figure out whodunit and I was right about the person but I never figured out the motive.