What do you think?
Rate this book
Perry Trethowan #1
Sheer Torture
Meet the Trethowan family, an eccentric clan that prides itself on nonconformity. Perry, a young police inspector, is the only family member to have broken the tradition. Although the Trethowans disdain his normal lifestyle, they find his services helpful when they discover Perry's father on a bizarre torture machine - murdered.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1981
14 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
Robert Barnard
202 books88 followersAka Bernard Bastable.
Robert Barnard (born 23 November 1936) was an English crime writer, critic and lecturer.
Born in Essex, Barnard was educated at the Royal Grammar School in Colchester and at Balliol College in Oxford. His first crime novel, A Little Local Murder, was published in 1976. The novel was written while he was a lecturer at University of Tromsø in Norway. He has gone on to write more than 40 other books and numerous short stories.
Barnard has said that his favourite crime writer is Agatha Christie. In 1980 he published a critique of her work titled A Talent to Deceive: An Appreciation of Agatha Christie.
Barnard was awarded the Cartier Diamond Dagger in 2003 by the Crime Writers Association for a lifetime of achievement.
Under the pseudonym Bernard Bastable, Robert Barnard has published one standalone novel and three alternate history books starring Wolfgang Mozart as a detective, he having survived to old age.
Barnard lived with his wife Louise in Yorkshire.
Series:
* Perry Trethowan
* Charlie Peace
Robert Barnard (born 23 November 1936) was an English crime writer, critic and lecturer.
Born in Essex, Barnard was educated at the Royal Grammar School in Colchester and at Balliol College in Oxford. His first crime novel, A Little Local Murder, was published in 1976. The novel was written while he was a lecturer at University of Tromsø in Norway. He has gone on to write more than 40 other books and numerous short stories.
Barnard has said that his favourite crime writer is Agatha Christie. In 1980 he published a critique of her work titled A Talent to Deceive: An Appreciation of Agatha Christie.
Barnard was awarded the Cartier Diamond Dagger in 2003 by the Crime Writers Association for a lifetime of achievement.
Under the pseudonym Bernard Bastable, Robert Barnard has published one standalone novel and three alternate history books starring Wolfgang Mozart as a detective, he having survived to old age.
Barnard lived with his wife Louise in Yorkshire.
Series:
* Perry Trethowan
* Charlie Peace
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 12, 2018
Brilliantly written - insightful, witty, clever and with some of the greatest prose and dialogue I've come across. I've found that Barnard is usually far better when it comes to crafting prose, dialogue, sly social commentary and satirical characterizations than he is at plotting an engaging and intricate mystery, so I'm thrilled that this time the actual mystery was (almost!) as brilliant as his writing style!
December 11, 2018
I read some Robert Barnard books decades ago, but I’d never read one featuring Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Perry Trethowan. Poor Trethowan comes from one of the most dysfunctional families in life or literature. Having cut off all contact with his family 15 years ago, Trethowan is drawn back to them against his will (and better judgment) when his superior sends him to help out in the murder investigation of Trethowan’s estranged father, a perfectly god-awful sado-masochist who loved to stir things up.
Barnard puts plenty of twists and humor into Death by Sheer Torture, and I’ve already ordered the sequel, Death And the Princess.
Barnard puts plenty of twists and humor into Death by Sheer Torture, and I’ve already ordered the sequel, Death And the Princess.
March 14, 2020
I found this book on the "Free Books" table at the library on the campus where I work. I love murder mysteries, so when I saw the title, I was immediately intrigued. Of course, I already had 3 books in my bag when I picked this one up, but you can never have too many books, right?
The title and blurb held up to my expectations. I was excited to start the book and find that it's first-person. I love a first-person narrator, especially for a mystery! It adds a totally different flair to the events and usually adds to the suspense but also to the character development. So, I was already hooked. The story begins with the main character, Perry, finding out from the obituary that his father has died. Moments later, his boss on the police force calls Perry and tells him that he needs him to come out to his family's ancestral estate and help the detective on duty solve the crime. They believe Perry's father was murdered, but the Trethowan family is so eccentric that the police chief doesn't think anyone but Perry can get an "in" with them and find out more information. The problem is, Perry hasn't talked to or seen his family in years. He and his dad had a huge fight when he was eighteen or so, and Perry left the house and hasn't been back since. He's 32 now. The other issue is that Perry is embarrassed because his father died hanging from a Marquis de Sade "strappado" machine, wearing gauzy spangled tights.
And that's just the first chapter. This book is hilarious. It's more of a social comedy combined with a family drama than it is a mystery, but the mystery is there. It's resolved so cleanly and makes so much sense when it all comes together. I wanted to know whodunnit, but for the first time reading a mystery, I didn't feel that annoying tug of suspense because I loved reading the story and finding out more about this twisted family. Twisted? Well, Perry's father is one of four siblings. One has already passed away. The other three are characters, in every sense of the word. Aunt Kate was a Nazi sympathizer and still idolizes Hitler even 35 years after the war. She had a nervous breakdown the year before and only has some moments of lucidity. Uncle Lawrence had a stroke and has his good days and bad days. Aunt Sybilla is...hard to describe, but she's another old coot. Then, there's Peter, who's married to Maria-Luisa, who understands English but speaks mainly in "gutter Italian." They have five kids everyone else calls "the Squealies," and M-L is pregnant. Of course. Nobody works. They all just live in this one giant house and foster these strange (very strange, in some cases) family dynamics.
Obviously, the mystery takes a backseat to the family members and their relationships, but I liked that. Again, the book kept me wanting more without driving me crazy with buildup. Everything was paced perfectly. The narrator is hilarious. Perry talks to the reader and commentates on his own commentary with parentheses. He says things like, "You don't need to know more about what happened that night" when he talks about his evening with his wife and his son and gets to the part when he and his wife are about to be alone... I laughed out loud at multiple scenes and comments throughout the story. Also, the book is oddly moving. It's kind of sick because you have this guy who died on his own S&M machine, and that's there throughout the book in a background kind of way (nothing graphic, pornographic, or overtly sexual is brought up--it's really more of the stage for Perry's embarrassment and also comes into play with his breakage with his father, but it's not played up on or exploited at all), but there are moments of strong emotion. The whole chapter where Perry goes to his old home and remembers his mother who had passed when he was a child was very emotional and beautifully written. There's a later scene that also has strong emotion and moving moments that surprised me.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love when I pick up a random, free book, and it turns out better than I imagined! I recommend this short mystery to mystery lovers and people who enjoy things like 1970's British family dramas masked in the form of a closed-room mystery.
The title and blurb held up to my expectations. I was excited to start the book and find that it's first-person. I love a first-person narrator, especially for a mystery! It adds a totally different flair to the events and usually adds to the suspense but also to the character development. So, I was already hooked. The story begins with the main character, Perry, finding out from the obituary that his father has died. Moments later, his boss on the police force calls Perry and tells him that he needs him to come out to his family's ancestral estate and help the detective on duty solve the crime. They believe Perry's father was murdered, but the Trethowan family is so eccentric that the police chief doesn't think anyone but Perry can get an "in" with them and find out more information. The problem is, Perry hasn't talked to or seen his family in years. He and his dad had a huge fight when he was eighteen or so, and Perry left the house and hasn't been back since. He's 32 now. The other issue is that Perry is embarrassed because his father died hanging from a Marquis de Sade "strappado" machine, wearing gauzy spangled tights.
And that's just the first chapter. This book is hilarious. It's more of a social comedy combined with a family drama than it is a mystery, but the mystery is there. It's resolved so cleanly and makes so much sense when it all comes together. I wanted to know whodunnit, but for the first time reading a mystery, I didn't feel that annoying tug of suspense because I loved reading the story and finding out more about this twisted family. Twisted? Well, Perry's father is one of four siblings. One has already passed away. The other three are characters, in every sense of the word. Aunt Kate was a Nazi sympathizer and still idolizes Hitler even 35 years after the war. She had a nervous breakdown the year before and only has some moments of lucidity. Uncle Lawrence had a stroke and has his good days and bad days. Aunt Sybilla is...hard to describe, but she's another old coot. Then, there's Peter, who's married to Maria-Luisa, who understands English but speaks mainly in "gutter Italian." They have five kids everyone else calls "the Squealies," and M-L is pregnant. Of course. Nobody works. They all just live in this one giant house and foster these strange (very strange, in some cases) family dynamics.
Obviously, the mystery takes a backseat to the family members and their relationships, but I liked that. Again, the book kept me wanting more without driving me crazy with buildup. Everything was paced perfectly. The narrator is hilarious. Perry talks to the reader and commentates on his own commentary with parentheses. He says things like, "You don't need to know more about what happened that night" when he talks about his evening with his wife and his son and gets to the part when he and his wife are about to be alone... I laughed out loud at multiple scenes and comments throughout the story. Also, the book is oddly moving. It's kind of sick because you have this guy who died on his own S&M machine, and that's there throughout the book in a background kind of way (nothing graphic, pornographic, or overtly sexual is brought up--it's really more of the stage for Perry's embarrassment and also comes into play with his breakage with his father, but it's not played up on or exploited at all), but there are moments of strong emotion. The whole chapter where Perry goes to his old home and remembers his mother who had passed when he was a child was very emotional and beautifully written. There's a later scene that also has strong emotion and moving moments that surprised me.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love when I pick up a random, free book, and it turns out better than I imagined! I recommend this short mystery to mystery lovers and people who enjoy things like 1970's British family dramas masked in the form of a closed-room mystery.
October 19, 2009
As this, the first in Barnard's brief series featuring Scotland Yard detective Perry Trethowan, begins, Perry has just learned of the death of his estranged father. Worse still, the elder Trethowan was found in one of his own torture devices. Although it's the last thing he wants to do, Perry must go to the family estate in Northumberland to help in the investigation, renewing ties with his eccentric family after a 14-year absence. Surprisingly enough, the book is rather light-hearted, and it is possible to see the real people underneath all the eccentricity. It was a nice, quick book to read after the two excellent, but rather long and grisly, thrillers I just finished. Robert Barnard's writing is always enjoyable.
August 5, 2013
This is the first of Barnard's Perry Trethowan mysteries. Detective Inspector Trethowan is sent off to his family stately home to lend a hand in the investigation into his father's death - his father having, most embarrassingly, expired in a strappado machine, attired in spangled tights. And the available suspects include Aunt Sybilla (ex set designer), Uncle Lawrence (wheelchair-bound, semi-senile minor poet), Aunt Kate (jolly-hockey-sticks fan of Adolf Hitler), and sister Christobel (utterly wet). These, and a few cousins, are all more or less at daggers drawn, and Perry can't stand most of them.
This is one of Barnard's better mysteries; it has clues and counter-clues and plenty of motives and a convoluted but thoroughly satisfying denoument. Plus, of course, his usual excellent characters and wry humour.
This is one of Barnard's better mysteries; it has clues and counter-clues and plenty of motives and a convoluted but thoroughly satisfying denoument. Plus, of course, his usual excellent characters and wry humour.
October 16, 2012
BOTTOM LINE: #1 DI Perry Trethrowan, rural Northern England. This classic “house party” cosy is stunningly satirical in treatment, and it's lots of fun, if a mite scatalogical.
Poor Inspector Trethrowan - his entire family is, as the Brits say, “odd”.... and when his Dad gets himself murdered in a particularly splashy way, things only go from bad to worse - although not officially “on the case”, he’s present for the funeral even though he’d thought he’d got shut of the family decades ago. His homecoming is far from dull - everybody’s just as crazy as they’d used to be, but now one of the relatives seems to have moved up to actual murder.
Extremely biting satire, of both old-families-gone-bad type and a neat skewering of the kind of classic cosy that Dame Agatha did so well. Blunt and brutal in places, but very well plotted and the characters are entertaining, and not at all silly. Darkness abounds, in this old (and old-fashioned) family, and Perry’s up to his neck in it. Extremely facetious, but also entertaining.
A lot more subtle than his first - DEATH OF AN OLD GOAT, four years previously. While only the first Trethrowan, it’s his 8th or 9th book, and he’s gotten a lot smoother and yet kept his twisted outlook on life. Delicious!
Poor Inspector Trethrowan - his entire family is, as the Brits say, “odd”.... and when his Dad gets himself murdered in a particularly splashy way, things only go from bad to worse - although not officially “on the case”, he’s present for the funeral even though he’d thought he’d got shut of the family decades ago. His homecoming is far from dull - everybody’s just as crazy as they’d used to be, but now one of the relatives seems to have moved up to actual murder.
Extremely biting satire, of both old-families-gone-bad type and a neat skewering of the kind of classic cosy that Dame Agatha did so well. Blunt and brutal in places, but very well plotted and the characters are entertaining, and not at all silly. Darkness abounds, in this old (and old-fashioned) family, and Perry’s up to his neck in it. Extremely facetious, but also entertaining.
A lot more subtle than his first - DEATH OF AN OLD GOAT, four years previously. While only the first Trethrowan, it’s his 8th or 9th book, and he’s gotten a lot smoother and yet kept his twisted outlook on life. Delicious!
August 14, 2016
Picked this up at a book sale--who among us does not love a good book sale?--and thoroughly enjoyed it. An odd premise and an odder family, but I love Perry--Peregrine--and his snarky sense of humor. Plus, first person--for me, first person is a plus for mysteries.
Estranged son and Scotland Yard inspector Perry is called home to investigate the very strange death of his truly weird father. And I thought my family was weird!
Estranged son and Scotland Yard inspector Perry is called home to investigate the very strange death of his truly weird father. And I thought my family was weird!
January 25, 2019
You can read my review at https://world-of-sleuths.blogspot.com....
April 25, 2011
One of the review quotes on my edition of this book is from a wisely unnamed reviewer for the Chicago Tribune: "Robert Barnard has never produced anything but four-star suspense." The other quotes make it plain Barnard's real fortes are wit and ingenuity; if he ever tried to write a suspenseful novel, I've yet to come across it. He triumphs in the same sort of mystery subgenre as Colin Watson; his books are less outright comedies than Watson's, but they have if anything a more lingering cleverness.
Here the victim of an aristocratic country house murder is, unfortunately for our narrator, Inspector Perry Trethowan, his father; even more unfortunately, Dad died suspended from the strappado he'd commissioned as a masochistic masturbatory aid. It's going to be difficult to live this one down at the Yard. Much of the mirth of this novel derives from Perry's ghastly elderly relatives: the Trethowans have long been famous for using aggressive publicity to make the most of their generally somewhat secondary artistic talents. (The only genuinely talented one among them, the now-dead painter Elizabeth, is generally disparaged by the rest.) As for Perry's Dad, a very minor composer, Perry is at pains to point out to us that his father's greatest compositional triumph was probably the occasional musical fart.
The solution to the murder mystery is satisfying. The solution to Perry's other problem -- making sure he doesn't inherit the ancestral seat -- had me grinning. What more could I ask? This is hardly a major work, but it's a very jolly piece of entertainment.
Here the victim of an aristocratic country house murder is, unfortunately for our narrator, Inspector Perry Trethowan, his father; even more unfortunately, Dad died suspended from the strappado he'd commissioned as a masochistic masturbatory aid. It's going to be difficult to live this one down at the Yard. Much of the mirth of this novel derives from Perry's ghastly elderly relatives: the Trethowans have long been famous for using aggressive publicity to make the most of their generally somewhat secondary artistic talents. (The only genuinely talented one among them, the now-dead painter Elizabeth, is generally disparaged by the rest.) As for Perry's Dad, a very minor composer, Perry is at pains to point out to us that his father's greatest compositional triumph was probably the occasional musical fart.
The solution to the murder mystery is satisfying. The solution to Perry's other problem -- making sure he doesn't inherit the ancestral seat -- had me grinning. What more could I ask? This is hardly a major work, but it's a very jolly piece of entertainment.
May 22, 2012
This is a fun mystery about a police detective who becomes embroiled in the investigation of the death of his (estranged) father - who had been part of a famous family of English eccentrics (clearly based on the real family of eccentric Mitford daughters), all still living in family estate. Perry Trethowan's investigation reacquaints him with his odd and offputting aunts, uncles and cousins, and slowly forces him to take the role in the family that his family had always expecting him to take.
March 11, 2022
Not literature by any means, but sheer fun to read and I have already requested the next one from the library. Think the Addams Family meets Fawlty Towers and somebody killed someone.
April 7, 2025
Plot
Inspector Perry Trethowan reads in the obituaries that his estranged father has died under peculiar circumstances: he was fooling around with a form of self-torture called strappado. At the request of his supervisor, Peter returns to his ancestral home to determine if any of his cousins or siblings might have helped the old man to his bizarre end.
My Analysis
This was part of a series of mysteries put out in the 70s and 80s under the collection of Scene of the Crime. They’re all delightful mysteries written by authors who have written other books. The thing about these is that if you haven’t run across them in your years of reading, you’ve missed a treasure.
Most are short. they aren’t tomes of great length, and all have a wonderful perspective of British life and the people.
This one is truly wonderful. Great characters that seem over the top when introduced but have more depth than realized as you read along. The humor, the cynicism, the sniping, and of course, the secrets. Sybilla the grand matron of the house. Kate with her goofy Nazi affections. Lawrence with the stuffy, senile British way of speaking. Pete, the louse. Pete’s wife, the Italian. Their monstrous children. Cristobel, Perry’s sister, who seems the sanest of the lot. Mordred, who comes across as the milquetoast. And of course Perry, himself, trying to be normal in an abnormal family.
The mystery itself is artfully woven into the rest of the supposed irrelevant parts of the story. You have to pay attention to find the clues. There are side stories that may be relevant, but that’s the fun of the mystery.
Did I suspect who the killer was? Yes, but only by guessing at the person near the beginning. Of course, when the clues are put together, it’s easy to see.
The dialogue is fantastic, and I got a picture of everyone and everything. From the huge house to people to the grounds.
I have read many of these Scene of the Crime books as well as Murder Ink novels. I recommend any lover of mysteries to find them. I purchased a bunch at a local flea market and am very happy I did.
My rank:
Brown Belt
Inspector Perry Trethowan reads in the obituaries that his estranged father has died under peculiar circumstances: he was fooling around with a form of self-torture called strappado. At the request of his supervisor, Peter returns to his ancestral home to determine if any of his cousins or siblings might have helped the old man to his bizarre end.
My Analysis
This was part of a series of mysteries put out in the 70s and 80s under the collection of Scene of the Crime. They’re all delightful mysteries written by authors who have written other books. The thing about these is that if you haven’t run across them in your years of reading, you’ve missed a treasure.
Most are short. they aren’t tomes of great length, and all have a wonderful perspective of British life and the people.
This one is truly wonderful. Great characters that seem over the top when introduced but have more depth than realized as you read along. The humor, the cynicism, the sniping, and of course, the secrets. Sybilla the grand matron of the house. Kate with her goofy Nazi affections. Lawrence with the stuffy, senile British way of speaking. Pete, the louse. Pete’s wife, the Italian. Their monstrous children. Cristobel, Perry’s sister, who seems the sanest of the lot. Mordred, who comes across as the milquetoast. And of course Perry, himself, trying to be normal in an abnormal family.
The mystery itself is artfully woven into the rest of the supposed irrelevant parts of the story. You have to pay attention to find the clues. There are side stories that may be relevant, but that’s the fun of the mystery.
Did I suspect who the killer was? Yes, but only by guessing at the person near the beginning. Of course, when the clues are put together, it’s easy to see.
The dialogue is fantastic, and I got a picture of everyone and everything. From the huge house to people to the grounds.
I have read many of these Scene of the Crime books as well as Murder Ink novels. I recommend any lover of mysteries to find them. I purchased a bunch at a local flea market and am very happy I did.
My rank:
Brown Belt
November 3, 2020
Robert Barnard’s books are well written plots with a few kinks in them. Tongue-in-cheek humour and tucked in with murder.
Detective Inspector Perry Trethowen has been estranged from his family for the last thirteen years or so. When his father is found dead in an odd and suspicious manner, the Deputy Assistant Commissioner decides it would be a good idea for Perry to return to the family estate and investigate. Perry would have the inside scoop and be able to get better information.
Told from Perry’s perspective, you are introduced to his unusual family: Aunt Kate, who is a bit off her rails; Aunt Sybella, who loves any and all publicity; shady Cousin Pet and his Sicilian wife Maria and their five offspring known collectively as the “Squealies”, Cousin Mordred, and Uncle Lawrence, all who live at the sprawling family estate, Harpenden House
Considering Perry’s father, Leo, was found hanging from a strappado wearing spangled tights, you know this is going to be a strange mystery. By the by, a strappado is an antique torture device and one of Perry’s father’s interests.
Nothing is as it seems, or even close to being normal, but it is a fun British mystery with lots of twists, turns and a few embarrassments for Perry.
Detective Inspector Perry Trethowen has been estranged from his family for the last thirteen years or so. When his father is found dead in an odd and suspicious manner, the Deputy Assistant Commissioner decides it would be a good idea for Perry to return to the family estate and investigate. Perry would have the inside scoop and be able to get better information.
Told from Perry’s perspective, you are introduced to his unusual family: Aunt Kate, who is a bit off her rails; Aunt Sybella, who loves any and all publicity; shady Cousin Pet and his Sicilian wife Maria and their five offspring known collectively as the “Squealies”, Cousin Mordred, and Uncle Lawrence, all who live at the sprawling family estate, Harpenden House
Considering Perry’s father, Leo, was found hanging from a strappado wearing spangled tights, you know this is going to be a strange mystery. By the by, a strappado is an antique torture device and one of Perry’s father’s interests.
Nothing is as it seems, or even close to being normal, but it is a fun British mystery with lots of twists, turns and a few embarrassments for Perry.
July 23, 2023
Peregrine "Perry" Trethowan is the estranged son of a dysfunctional gentry family with a mansion named Harpenden near Thornwick in Northumberland, which was built by his great-grandfather Josiah Trethowan in the late 19th century. He and his father Leo had had a falling out quite some years ago, and after a stint in the army had become a cop in the CID. He gets the word that his father has just been murdered in an unusual way while he was on a strappado - a type of torture instrument once used by the Spanish Inquisition - and dressed in tights - he was into sadomasochism (S&M). Perry is called in to help with the investigation - he is assigned to return to his family after all the years of separation because it is believed the murder was an inside job. He is reluctant to do so but doesn't have a choice in the assignment. The CID team is led by Tim Hamnet - Perry is sort of undercover to scope out his relatives. Along the way, Perry discovers that part of the family's art collection is missing. Perry has to deal with assorted aunts, Uncle Lawrence, assorted cousins, and his sister Cristobel. Eventually his wife Jan and son Daniel also arrive in spite of his wishing they hadn't. And there are a bunch of family secrets to be discovered. Lots of twists and turns - a great read.
August 25, 2020
DEATH BY SHEER TORTURE is one of my ultimate favorites by ROBERT BARNARD. The characters,though very ridicules are so funny and entertaining, they make me laugh out loud.
Perry Trethowan, police inspector for Scotland Yard and unfortunately the son of his latest problem case: his father. His father was found in "sparkled tights and murdered while entertaining himself of an ancient torture device called the strappado" Perry is ordered by his boss to help with the investigation, which means trudging back to the home where his father,sister and various wacky relatives live. Perry uncovers all the weird secrets his relatives have been hiding , not to mention a couple of new ones. What makes the situation worse is his wife and child have decided to join him to "meet the family"
I love this book. Love it so much that I have read and reread over the years. The relatives in the book are crazy, Perry cant wait to get out of the mess and find out who killed his father. The ending will surprise you.
Perry Trethowan, police inspector for Scotland Yard and unfortunately the son of his latest problem case: his father. His father was found in "sparkled tights and murdered while entertaining himself of an ancient torture device called the strappado" Perry is ordered by his boss to help with the investigation, which means trudging back to the home where his father,sister and various wacky relatives live. Perry uncovers all the weird secrets his relatives have been hiding , not to mention a couple of new ones. What makes the situation worse is his wife and child have decided to join him to "meet the family"
I love this book. Love it so much that I have read and reread over the years. The relatives in the book are crazy, Perry cant wait to get out of the mess and find out who killed his father. The ending will surprise you.
April 10, 2019
DEATH BY SHEER TORTURE, Robert Barnard, 1981
The first book in the Trethowan series. Detective Inspector Peregrine (Perry) Trethowan has returned home to the family estate against his will. He has been ordered to help with the investigation into the death of his long-estranged father, who has been murdered while using his own masochistic strappado machine, and all while wearing glittzy spangled tights. But his father isn't the only family member with strange ideas and tastes; in fact, the entire family is a bit "off," no doubt why Perry left home and never looked back. Barnard obviously had great fun here creating these characters; the entire tale is given us with an engaging wit and a satirical bite. The mystery isn't all that strong, as it is quite clear that one of the family members is the killer--but any one (if not all) of these crazy people could have done the deed. But the reader is allowed a few laughs along the way as the killer is sorted out.
The first book in the Trethowan series. Detective Inspector Peregrine (Perry) Trethowan has returned home to the family estate against his will. He has been ordered to help with the investigation into the death of his long-estranged father, who has been murdered while using his own masochistic strappado machine, and all while wearing glittzy spangled tights. But his father isn't the only family member with strange ideas and tastes; in fact, the entire family is a bit "off," no doubt why Perry left home and never looked back. Barnard obviously had great fun here creating these characters; the entire tale is given us with an engaging wit and a satirical bite. The mystery isn't all that strong, as it is quite clear that one of the family members is the killer--but any one (if not all) of these crazy people could have done the deed. But the reader is allowed a few laughs along the way as the killer is sorted out.
September 28, 2020
Perry is a police detective in London who is estranged from his eccentric wealthy family. When his father is murdered under sordid circumstances, Perry is asked to cooperate with the department as they investigate the crime, in gathering clues someone outside the family may not have access to. The family is odd indeed, but the more you are around them the more you like some of them. Interesting plot line with unexpected twists and a bit of humor mixed in to keep it from being sordid.
February 27, 2025
This is my first 5 star!!!!!!!
I loved the language used in the book, the atmosphere created, but most the main character. I feel like I know him. He uses phrases my parents used, and the rhythm of speech is wonderful.
I adore that he breaks the fourth wall, like we are sat down in a pub and he is telling a story.
186 lbs
I loved the language used in the book, the atmosphere created, but most the main character. I feel like I know him. He uses phrases my parents used, and the rhythm of speech is wonderful.
I adore that he breaks the fourth wall, like we are sat down in a pub and he is telling a story.
186 lbs
January 6, 2021
Really enjoyed this. Son of the house, disowned ten years earlier, returns as a policeman when his dad is murdered during a kinky experiment. Fun characters and plenty to speculate about and envisage. Light reading. Set in the 70s/ish but not of that period exactly.
June 20, 2024
A wonderfully entertaining read -- not particularly for the whodunnit side, but more for the clever wry wit of the narrator (Perry, the policeman) who expounds on how unbearable he finds returning to his ancestral home, that he abandoned years before.
May 7, 2017
Love, love, love this author. Yup, figured it out at the last chapter...
September 16, 2017
Well written (overall) but not that interesting. For all his attempts at character depth, I felt most of the players were rather one-dimensional. Was just missing something.
January 4, 2018
Oldie but goody. i'm re-reading my old mysteries before tossing them.
January 7, 2018
Too old fashioned. Slow and boring.
October 8, 2020
At 192 page this took me longer then it should have to finish . Not my favorite for sure but will carry on reading Barnard because of the two I've read that were just great.
December 14, 2020
An excellent read. Witty, erudite and great characters. I can’t see why this author is not more well known in the UK. Looking forward to the next in the series.?’
January 14, 2022
Probably a 4 but it was an "I" story and I don't really enjoy reading them.
Read
September 18, 2022Excessive.
February 8, 2024
A fun, quick read.
August 27, 2018
Good sense of humor, unusual, well written
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews