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Inspector Harry Charlton #5
Measure for Murder
It is 1940 and Mrs Mudge, the cleaning lady is busy tidying the Little Theatre in Lulverton, which is run by the local amateur dramatics' society. But she is in for a surprise when she finds a corpse in the ticket office, stabbed with a dagger – a prop from the society's latest play, Measure for Measure.
The novel is in two sections. In the first, the narrator, Vaughn Tudor, describes the formation of the small amateur theatre group, in a sleepy village on the South Coast in the period leading up to the Second World War. But then in the second half, after the revelation of the identity of the victim and the calling in of Witting's series detective Inspector Charlton to investigate, the reader finds out that there were rather a lot of people who had cause to visit that little theatre on the night of the murder....
But can the police disentangle the complicated relationships to discover the real killer?
It seems that this story had its roots in a real live production of Shakespeare's Measure for Measure (1604), which Witting saw in May 1939. at the Bromley Little Theatre in Kent. First published in 1941, it was the fifth of Witting's novels which were written over a period of 30 years and excels both in the plot but also, and notably in his extraordinary characterisation skills. The author died in 1968 having completed 12 books.
This is the third of Galileo's reissues of Witting's oeuvre. The first, published October 2021, Catt out of the Bag, was received with great enthusiasm by Golden Age crime fiction fans and is already in its third printing (as of March 2021). The second, Murder in Blue will also be published during Autumn 2021.
The novel is in two sections. In the first, the narrator, Vaughn Tudor, describes the formation of the small amateur theatre group, in a sleepy village on the South Coast in the period leading up to the Second World War. But then in the second half, after the revelation of the identity of the victim and the calling in of Witting's series detective Inspector Charlton to investigate, the reader finds out that there were rather a lot of people who had cause to visit that little theatre on the night of the murder....
But can the police disentangle the complicated relationships to discover the real killer?
It seems that this story had its roots in a real live production of Shakespeare's Measure for Measure (1604), which Witting saw in May 1939. at the Bromley Little Theatre in Kent. First published in 1941, it was the fifth of Witting's novels which were written over a period of 30 years and excels both in the plot but also, and notably in his extraordinary characterisation skills. The author died in 1968 having completed 12 books.
This is the third of Galileo's reissues of Witting's oeuvre. The first, published October 2021, Catt out of the Bag, was received with great enthusiasm by Golden Age crime fiction fans and is already in its third printing (as of March 2021). The second, Murder in Blue will also be published during Autumn 2021.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1941
25 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Clifford Witting
37 books15 followersClifford Witting (1907-68) was an English writer who was educated at Eltham College, London, between 1916 and 1924.
During World War II he served as a bombardier in the Royal Artillery, 1942-44, and as a Warrant Officer in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, 1944-46.
He married Ellen Marjorie Steward in 1934 and they had one daughter. Before becoming a full-time writer, he worked as a clerk in Lloyds bank from 1924 to 1942. He was Honorary Editor of The Old Elthamian magazine, London. from 1947 up to his death.
His first novel 'Murder in Blue' was published in 1937 and his series characters were Sergeant (later Inspector) Peter Bradford and Inspector Harry Charlton. Unusually, he didn’t join The Detection Club until 1958 by which time he had written 12 detective novels.
In their 'A Catalogue of Crime', Jacques Barzun and Wendell Hertig Taylor stated, 'Witting started feebly, improved to a point of high competence, and has since shown a marked capacity for character and situation, with uneven success in keeping up the detective interest.'
On the gadetection website it reports, 'Why is Witting so obscure? His detection is genuinely engrossing, and his style is witty, if occasionally facetious. He could do setting very well—Army life in Subject: Murder. His books have the genuine whodunit pull. He can brilliantly misdirect the reader (Midsummer Murder) or invent a genuinely clever and simple murder method (Dead on Time).
'He experimented with form: the surprise victim (whowillbedunin?) of Measure for Murder, or, weak as it is otherwise is, the riff on the inverted detective story in Michaelmas Goose. In short, he always has something to offer the reader, and found original ideas within the conventions of the formal detective story.
'And yet he’s barely known—no entry in 20th Crime and Mystery Writers, and only a passing reference in the Oxford guide. Only treated in detail in Cooper and Pike, and in Barzun.'
During World War II he served as a bombardier in the Royal Artillery, 1942-44, and as a Warrant Officer in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, 1944-46.
He married Ellen Marjorie Steward in 1934 and they had one daughter. Before becoming a full-time writer, he worked as a clerk in Lloyds bank from 1924 to 1942. He was Honorary Editor of The Old Elthamian magazine, London. from 1947 up to his death.
His first novel 'Murder in Blue' was published in 1937 and his series characters were Sergeant (later Inspector) Peter Bradford and Inspector Harry Charlton. Unusually, he didn’t join The Detection Club until 1958 by which time he had written 12 detective novels.
In their 'A Catalogue of Crime', Jacques Barzun and Wendell Hertig Taylor stated, 'Witting started feebly, improved to a point of high competence, and has since shown a marked capacity for character and situation, with uneven success in keeping up the detective interest.'
On the gadetection website it reports, 'Why is Witting so obscure? His detection is genuinely engrossing, and his style is witty, if occasionally facetious. He could do setting very well—Army life in Subject: Murder. His books have the genuine whodunit pull. He can brilliantly misdirect the reader (Midsummer Murder) or invent a genuinely clever and simple murder method (Dead on Time).
'He experimented with form: the surprise victim (whowillbedunin?) of Measure for Murder, or, weak as it is otherwise is, the riff on the inverted detective story in Michaelmas Goose. In short, he always has something to offer the reader, and found original ideas within the conventions of the formal detective story.
'And yet he’s barely known—no entry in 20th Crime and Mystery Writers, and only a passing reference in the Oxford guide. Only treated in detail in Cooper and Pike, and in Barzun.'
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 9, 2022
This proved much less engrossing than "Murder in Blue" and "Catt Out of the Bag".
The setting is well-done with the infighting and petty jealousies of an AmDram group, and the small mindedness of a mid-sized provincial English town, faithfully depicted.
The characterisation is also strong, even minor players coming across vividly.
However, Witting falls into the trap of parading his Shakespearean knowledge and vastly overdoing it. The reader does not really need to be told so much about the play. Conversely., having hit on the brilliant wheeze of having Melpomene and Thalia, the Muses of Tragedy and Comedy as commentators on the action, he underused the idea.
Although the opening scene is excellent, the rest of the first act is slow-moving, even if providing necessary background. The revelation of the murder victim is dramatic and unexpected but the ensuing investigation verges on the dull.
I get the feeling that the author bolted on a solution suited to the early years of WW2, rather than allowing one to develop naturally from the extensive background material, but my instinct is probably wrong. At any rate, the solution depends on the detection of a miniscule clue in conversation and so certainly provides a surprise.
3.5 stars.
The setting is well-done with the infighting and petty jealousies of an AmDram group, and the small mindedness of a mid-sized provincial English town, faithfully depicted.
The characterisation is also strong, even minor players coming across vividly.
However, Witting falls into the trap of parading his Shakespearean knowledge and vastly overdoing it. The reader does not really need to be told so much about the play. Conversely., having hit on the brilliant wheeze of having Melpomene and Thalia, the Muses of Tragedy and Comedy as commentators on the action, he underused the idea.
Although the opening scene is excellent, the rest of the first act is slow-moving, even if providing necessary background. The revelation of the murder victim is dramatic and unexpected but the ensuing investigation verges on the dull.
I get the feeling that the author bolted on a solution suited to the early years of WW2, rather than allowing one to develop naturally from the extensive background material, but my instinct is probably wrong. At any rate, the solution depends on the detection of a miniscule clue in conversation and so certainly provides a surprise.
3.5 stars.
March 10, 2021
B+:
If you haven't read or seen Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, there's not much need to after this, as Clifford Witting delivers a virtual disquisition of the play within what is otherwise an excellent mystery set around an amateur dramatics society in rural England. Although it takes a while to get used to Witting's superfluous writing style, this clever two-act whodunit wallops you with the identity of the victim mid-way through and then crafts an ingenious puzzle littered with many red herrings and a cracking solution that I was wholly unprepared for.
This is a must-read. Will definitely seek out more in this series.
If you haven't read or seen Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, there's not much need to after this, as Clifford Witting delivers a virtual disquisition of the play within what is otherwise an excellent mystery set around an amateur dramatics society in rural England. Although it takes a while to get used to Witting's superfluous writing style, this clever two-act whodunit wallops you with the identity of the victim mid-way through and then crafts an ingenious puzzle littered with many red herrings and a cracking solution that I was wholly unprepared for.
This is a must-read. Will definitely seek out more in this series.
June 14, 2022
An excellent British mystery! Published in 1941, this is a real wartime book. Witting depicts muddling through wartime perfectly. I love the two-part style. Vaughn is so lovable and ugh I just love it. So gripping.
June 13, 2017
For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
August 5, 2022
All the right Stuff
Intrigue, plenty of characters, mystery & action. Murder & romance well done. Very golden just as WWII began for England
Intrigue, plenty of characters, mystery & action. Murder & romance well done. Very golden just as WWII began for England
May 27, 2023
Another Great Mystery By Witting
This is the second of Witting’s books I have read and and I can’t wait to get my hands on another one. I am so happy that many of the Golden Age writers who haven’t been reprinted in nearly a century are being reprinted. The story moves quickly and holds your interest throughout. I was so sure who the murderer was having already read two of his books but was totally wrong. If you love a good mystery don’t pass this one by.
This is the second of Witting’s books I have read and and I can’t wait to get my hands on another one. I am so happy that many of the Golden Age writers who haven’t been reprinted in nearly a century are being reprinted. The story moves quickly and holds your interest throughout. I was so sure who the murderer was having already read two of his books but was totally wrong. If you love a good mystery don’t pass this one by.
August 9, 2018
Really 3.5, I guess. Could have been 4 except one of the clues to the killer's identity seems pretty obscure (definitely for me), really needed specialized knowledge to recognize the anomaly (I think). Otherwise, a classic of the Golden Age of detection. The first half represents the diary/running commentary of Vaughan Tudor, while the second sifts through the evidence to find his killer. The story just flowed along. Recommended.
April 4, 2022
Love ECR Lora
For those of us who mourn that there just aren’t any more stories by Christie, Allingham, Sayers, Marsh or Wentworth, this author is a wonderful discovery!
For those of us who mourn that there just aren’t any more stories by Christie, Allingham, Sayers, Marsh or Wentworth, this author is a wonderful discovery!
September 4, 2022
I love this guys writing. It is so light handed.
The plot in this is especially well constructed.
The plot in this is especially well constructed.
March 22, 2023
This is a clever and compelling novel that is set in 1939 as War begins, was originally published in 1941 and was republished in 2021 by Galileo Publishers in Cambridge. I am so pleased it was! Several of Clifford Witting’s books have been reappearing recently, and I have been enjoying and reviewing them. This one has so much on offer: a wartime setting, a mysterious murder victim, a drama group in crisis, and lots of references to one of my favourite Shakespeare plays, “Measure for Measure”. Not that you need to know the play – it is not often produced – but it added to my enjoyment of this surprising and well written murder mystery with many elements. There is comedy of a gentle sort, a well- constructed plot and an impressive setting of a small theatre and a boarding house full of interesting characters. The characters also represent a good range of interwar classics, from the very observant narrator to the somewhat feckless assistant, the dramatic women and the helpful landlady. I found it a very engaging read and enjoyed its surprises and Witting’s skilful writing.
The Prologue to the novel is actually set in January 1940 when a careful cleaning lady, Mrs Mudge, discovers a body in the Little Theatre in Lulverton, a country town with the usual mixed community of business people, travellers, and others. For those who like to visualise the setting of a story, a diagram of the theatre is provided. More unusually, the body is not identified to the reader until some way into the novel. The narrative reverts to the story of Vaughan Tudor, who recounts how he comes to live in Lulverton as a guest or permanent resident in Mrs. Doubleday’s establishment while starting his own small business. He gives details of the other residents, and how the Lulverton Amateur Dramatic Society began among a group of friends. They are fortunate to obtain premises to meet and indeed put on performances to a small audience. Then follows an account of how they put on plays, and the personalities that must be pushed, placated and persuaded to assemble a suitable cast. The group enjoys some success, though has challenges to face which may be familiar to anyone who has experience of amateur drama. Meanwhile Tudor’s business prospers and he encounters an old school friend who needs a job and accommodation. Politically the world becomes darker, and as War is actually declared many of the characters begin to reassess their priorities.
It is worth noting that when this novel was first written and published the Second World War was continuing and nobody really knew what would happen in the longer term. I particularly enjoy books set at this time when the author is writing for an audience desperate for entertainment. I enjoyed the Shakespeare references and the element of commentary from the classical drama figures, which I thought added real depth to the story. I thought the characters were extremely well drawn, with the theme of romance very much of its time. The murder mystery is well set up, with many possible theories being suggested and a suitable list of potential suspects being lined up. Inspector Charlton, Witting’s usual investigator, is once more drawn into the case, with his trusty assistant Detective Sergeant Martin, and having read other Witting novels I was pleased to reacquaint myself with his thoughtful techniques. This is a novel which plays with the form and content of the classic murder mystery to great effect, and I recommend it as a strong read of detection and action in a well-drawn setting with excellent characters.
The Prologue to the novel is actually set in January 1940 when a careful cleaning lady, Mrs Mudge, discovers a body in the Little Theatre in Lulverton, a country town with the usual mixed community of business people, travellers, and others. For those who like to visualise the setting of a story, a diagram of the theatre is provided. More unusually, the body is not identified to the reader until some way into the novel. The narrative reverts to the story of Vaughan Tudor, who recounts how he comes to live in Lulverton as a guest or permanent resident in Mrs. Doubleday’s establishment while starting his own small business. He gives details of the other residents, and how the Lulverton Amateur Dramatic Society began among a group of friends. They are fortunate to obtain premises to meet and indeed put on performances to a small audience. Then follows an account of how they put on plays, and the personalities that must be pushed, placated and persuaded to assemble a suitable cast. The group enjoys some success, though has challenges to face which may be familiar to anyone who has experience of amateur drama. Meanwhile Tudor’s business prospers and he encounters an old school friend who needs a job and accommodation. Politically the world becomes darker, and as War is actually declared many of the characters begin to reassess their priorities.
It is worth noting that when this novel was first written and published the Second World War was continuing and nobody really knew what would happen in the longer term. I particularly enjoy books set at this time when the author is writing for an audience desperate for entertainment. I enjoyed the Shakespeare references and the element of commentary from the classical drama figures, which I thought added real depth to the story. I thought the characters were extremely well drawn, with the theme of romance very much of its time. The murder mystery is well set up, with many possible theories being suggested and a suitable list of potential suspects being lined up. Inspector Charlton, Witting’s usual investigator, is once more drawn into the case, with his trusty assistant Detective Sergeant Martin, and having read other Witting novels I was pleased to reacquaint myself with his thoughtful techniques. This is a novel which plays with the form and content of the classic murder mystery to great effect, and I recommend it as a strong read of detection and action in a well-drawn setting with excellent characters.
June 19, 2024
A very unusual style for this one.
I have often been disappointed to find out who the guilty party was but this time I was disappointed in the victim. As usual the plot was a bit complicated and a large cast of characters who I kept losing track of but still a very enjoyable story.
I have often been disappointed to find out who the guilty party was but this time I was disappointed in the victim. As usual the plot was a bit complicated and a large cast of characters who I kept losing track of but still a very enjoyable story.
November 5, 2022
My first Witting. More here: https://ahotcupofpleasureagain.wordpr...
March 24, 2024
An enjoyable mystery set in 1940 in a provincial amateur theatrical group, with an original structure. The first few pages are related to the discovery of a stabbed body in a provincial amateur theatre. Then comes the diary of Vaughan Tudor, one of the young people involved in starting that amateur troupe and refurbishing an old bakehouse into a small theatre. He describes his life, his friendships, the fellow guests in the boarding house where he lives, but also the developing romantic attachments and growing rivalries within the drama group. This personal narrative is presented on a background of growing worries about the international situation and the anxieties when war is finally declared and everyone starts to see German spies everywhere.
In the second part Inspector Charlton works through the case, interrogating all the witnesses, tracking alibis... all good police procedural work. The book contains a map of the theatre, which is helpful to keep track of the various comings-and-goings on the day of the murder.
I enjoyed the book, the atmosphere of a provincial town and its preoccupations when war breaks out (but before the bombs start falling). I had not guessed the identity of the murderer and must admit that I had totally bought into one of the red herrings sprinkled through the story.
In the second part Inspector Charlton works through the case, interrogating all the witnesses, tracking alibis... all good police procedural work. The book contains a map of the theatre, which is helpful to keep track of the various comings-and-goings on the day of the murder.
I enjoyed the book, the atmosphere of a provincial town and its preoccupations when war breaks out (but before the bombs start falling). I had not guessed the identity of the murderer and must admit that I had totally bought into one of the red herrings sprinkled through the story.
November 21, 2024
Obscure is the word.
Many popular mystery writers from the past dropped out of sight after the writer’s death and some are now being rediscovered by the internet community. Biographical information on those "lost" writers tends to be sketchy, but Clifford Witting may be the biggest mystery man of all.
It’s known that he worked for a bank and started writing mysteries in the late 1930’s, eventually publishing sixteen books. He continued to write until his death in 1968. His books are literate and notable for sly humor and well-developed characters. He’s also admired because he experimented with a number of different mystery techniques, some more successful than others.
He wasn’t much of a self-promoter and joined the famous Detection Club late in his writing career. Perhaps that accounts for the difficulty in finding accurate information about him and his books.
“Measure for Murder” was apparently published in 1941 (which fits with the political events that drive the plot) but it appears on Barzun and Taylor’s list as one of the two best mysteries published in 1945. Huh?
I can see why critics liked it, because it’s a good read and the author takes some chances. The first half of the book is narrated by Vaughan Tudor. The second half is NOT narrated by Tudor, for reasons which will be clear if you read the book.
Tudor is a likable man and a lively narrator. The only child of a prosperous London family, he has founded a moderately successful real estate firm in the town of Lulverton. As was the custom at the time, he lives in a large, comfortable boarding house, which provides him with a room and several meals a day.
It provides the author with a cast of characters, since Tudor’s fellow boarders help him form an amateur theatrical group. They find and furnish a small theatre and have no trouble filling the seats when they put on plays. In pre-television days, little theatre was a popular form of entertainment.
Eventually they succumb to the temptation to tackle Shakespeare. “Measure for Measure” has a small cast and its few scene changes make it doable for even a small, poorly-equipped theatre. The lead female role is filled by the local doctor’s daughter, an intense, dark-haired beauty. Tudor promptly falls in love with her, but she’s more interested in becoming a professional actress than in becoming Mrs Tudor.
While the Lulverton Little Theatre group is creating drama on and off stage, an international drama is taking place. Hitler has started his campaign to conquer Europe. After several attempts to negotiate peace, the London government is reluctantly forced to declare war on Germany. The declaration of war is followed by the uneasy period known as “The Phony War”. Hitler had his Grand Plan and he followed it. God knows, Mr Churchill and his colleagues must have appreciated a few months to throw together an army and air force. Still, with Hitler invading one country after anothe and only the English Channel separating them from German-occupied France, everyone knew what was coming.
The Nazis prepared for their invasions by establishing a network of pro-Germans in targeted countries and using those traitors to uncover possible weak spots in the country’s defenses. It was a time when people started looking at each other uneasily. Could someone you like or even love be a Nazi collaborator?
Then one of the Little Theatre group is found dead in the theatre. Local Inspector Charlton investigates, with the help of Detective-Sergeant Martin. Both are shrewd, experienced coppers who do their jobs with a minimum of fuss and ego. Their personalities and their quirky relationship make this an usually worthwhile mystery.
Since the murder was committed at the theatre (and with a dagger from one of the costumes!) the amateur actors and their affairs and feuds are put under the magnifying glass early on, but the police can’t ignore the current political situation, either. The murdered man was working on a manuscript, which he carefully hid from everyone. Now it’s missing. Had he discovered a secret that someone was willing to kill to for?
As always, I skimmed over the details - the laborious gathering of evidence that narrows down when the murder was committed and the search for who has an alibi and who doesn’t. Fortunately, the characters provide plenty of interest. Is the ending realistic? Probably so, given the times.
Is it a book worth reading? In my opinion, definitely. It’s a shame Witting didn’t live long enough to produce more books, because he was more than competent as a writer and he had a knack for the unusual. I’m glad that his books are now appearing in Kindle editions and I’m looking forward to reading more of them.
Many popular mystery writers from the past dropped out of sight after the writer’s death and some are now being rediscovered by the internet community. Biographical information on those "lost" writers tends to be sketchy, but Clifford Witting may be the biggest mystery man of all.
It’s known that he worked for a bank and started writing mysteries in the late 1930’s, eventually publishing sixteen books. He continued to write until his death in 1968. His books are literate and notable for sly humor and well-developed characters. He’s also admired because he experimented with a number of different mystery techniques, some more successful than others.
He wasn’t much of a self-promoter and joined the famous Detection Club late in his writing career. Perhaps that accounts for the difficulty in finding accurate information about him and his books.
“Measure for Murder” was apparently published in 1941 (which fits with the political events that drive the plot) but it appears on Barzun and Taylor’s list as one of the two best mysteries published in 1945. Huh?
I can see why critics liked it, because it’s a good read and the author takes some chances. The first half of the book is narrated by Vaughan Tudor. The second half is NOT narrated by Tudor, for reasons which will be clear if you read the book.
Tudor is a likable man and a lively narrator. The only child of a prosperous London family, he has founded a moderately successful real estate firm in the town of Lulverton. As was the custom at the time, he lives in a large, comfortable boarding house, which provides him with a room and several meals a day.
It provides the author with a cast of characters, since Tudor’s fellow boarders help him form an amateur theatrical group. They find and furnish a small theatre and have no trouble filling the seats when they put on plays. In pre-television days, little theatre was a popular form of entertainment.
Eventually they succumb to the temptation to tackle Shakespeare. “Measure for Measure” has a small cast and its few scene changes make it doable for even a small, poorly-equipped theatre. The lead female role is filled by the local doctor’s daughter, an intense, dark-haired beauty. Tudor promptly falls in love with her, but she’s more interested in becoming a professional actress than in becoming Mrs Tudor.
While the Lulverton Little Theatre group is creating drama on and off stage, an international drama is taking place. Hitler has started his campaign to conquer Europe. After several attempts to negotiate peace, the London government is reluctantly forced to declare war on Germany. The declaration of war is followed by the uneasy period known as “The Phony War”. Hitler had his Grand Plan and he followed it. God knows, Mr Churchill and his colleagues must have appreciated a few months to throw together an army and air force. Still, with Hitler invading one country after anothe and only the English Channel separating them from German-occupied France, everyone knew what was coming.
The Nazis prepared for their invasions by establishing a network of pro-Germans in targeted countries and using those traitors to uncover possible weak spots in the country’s defenses. It was a time when people started looking at each other uneasily. Could someone you like or even love be a Nazi collaborator?
Then one of the Little Theatre group is found dead in the theatre. Local Inspector Charlton investigates, with the help of Detective-Sergeant Martin. Both are shrewd, experienced coppers who do their jobs with a minimum of fuss and ego. Their personalities and their quirky relationship make this an usually worthwhile mystery.
Since the murder was committed at the theatre (and with a dagger from one of the costumes!) the amateur actors and their affairs and feuds are put under the magnifying glass early on, but the police can’t ignore the current political situation, either. The murdered man was working on a manuscript, which he carefully hid from everyone. Now it’s missing. Had he discovered a secret that someone was willing to kill to for?
As always, I skimmed over the details - the laborious gathering of evidence that narrows down when the murder was committed and the search for who has an alibi and who doesn’t. Fortunately, the characters provide plenty of interest. Is the ending realistic? Probably so, given the times.
Is it a book worth reading? In my opinion, definitely. It’s a shame Witting didn’t live long enough to produce more books, because he was more than competent as a writer and he had a knack for the unusual. I’m glad that his books are now appearing in Kindle editions and I’m looking forward to reading more of them.
Want to read
January 29, 2019Synopsis: Shakespeare's Measure for Measure is the backdrop. The cleaning lady finds a corpse in the theatre murdered with a dagger from the play.
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