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Inspector Charlesworth #1
Death in High Heels
When Scotland Yard's young Mr. Charlesworth calls at Christophe et Cie about a murder, he finds five charming young women--all pretty, all suspects, all ready to obstruct his investigations. He would be hard pressed to say which causes more problems--when there is a second murder, or when he falls in love with the main suspect.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1941
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About the author
Christianna Brand
103 books137 followersChristianna Brand (December 17, 1907 - March 11, 1988) was a crime writer and children's author. Brand also wrote under the pseudonyms Mary Ann Ashe, Annabel Jones, Mary Roland, and China Thomson.
She was born Mary Christianna Milne in 1907 in Malaya and spent her early years in India. She had a number of different occupations, including model, dancer, shop assistant and governess.
Her first novel, Death in High Heels, was written while Brand was working as a salesgirl. In 1941, one of her best-loved characters, Inspector Cockrill of the Kent County Police, made his debut in the book Heads You Lose. The character would go on to appear in seven of her novels. Green for Danger is Brand’s most famous novel. The whodunit, set in a World War 2 hospital, was adapted for film by Eagle-Lion Films in 1946, starring Alastair Sim as the Inspector. She dropped the series in the late 1950s and concentrated on various genres as well as short stories. She was nominated three times for Edgar Awards: for the short stories "Poison in the Cup" (EQMM, Feb. 1969) and "Twist for Twist" (EQMM, May 1967) and for a nonfiction work about a Scottish murder case, Heaven Knows Who (1960). She is the author of the children's series Nurse Matilda, which Emma Thompson adapted to film as Nanny McPhee (2005).
Her Inspector Cockrill short stories and a previously unpublished Cockrill stage play were collected as The Spotted Cat and Other Mysteries from inspector Cockrill's Casebook, edited by Tony Medawar (2002).
Series:
* Nurse Matilda
* Inspector Charlesworth
* Inspector Chucky
* Inspector Cockrill
She was born Mary Christianna Milne in 1907 in Malaya and spent her early years in India. She had a number of different occupations, including model, dancer, shop assistant and governess.
Her first novel, Death in High Heels, was written while Brand was working as a salesgirl. In 1941, one of her best-loved characters, Inspector Cockrill of the Kent County Police, made his debut in the book Heads You Lose. The character would go on to appear in seven of her novels. Green for Danger is Brand’s most famous novel. The whodunit, set in a World War 2 hospital, was adapted for film by Eagle-Lion Films in 1946, starring Alastair Sim as the Inspector. She dropped the series in the late 1950s and concentrated on various genres as well as short stories. She was nominated three times for Edgar Awards: for the short stories "Poison in the Cup" (EQMM, Feb. 1969) and "Twist for Twist" (EQMM, May 1967) and for a nonfiction work about a Scottish murder case, Heaven Knows Who (1960). She is the author of the children's series Nurse Matilda, which Emma Thompson adapted to film as Nanny McPhee (2005).
Her Inspector Cockrill short stories and a previously unpublished Cockrill stage play were collected as The Spotted Cat and Other Mysteries from inspector Cockrill's Casebook, edited by Tony Medawar (2002).
Series:
* Nurse Matilda
* Inspector Charlesworth
* Inspector Chucky
* Inspector Cockrill
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
January 12, 2022
Christianna Brand (1907-1988) is now best remembered for her children's books, "Nurse Matilda". However, she was a very well known crime writer and it is a wonderful thing to see some of her books being re-released on kindle. Brand's best known series was Inspector Cockrill, who made his debut a year after "Death in High Heels", which was her first novel written in 1941. With Cockrill she wrote seven books, including the second in the series, regarded by many as her masterpiece, "Green for Danger". "Death in High Heels" features Inspector Charlesworth, who did not make another appearance after his debut until "The Rose in Darkness", published in 1979, and the second (and last) to include this highly likeable detective.
When we meet Charlesworth he is a young man who is as interested in his love life, and string of girlfriends, as he is in his career. For this reason he is assigned the death of a young woman in Christophe Et Cie, an exclusive dress shop in Regent Street. This is very much a vanished world - a shop with mannequins who model the outfits, an emotional dress designer and sales staff who are chosen for their ability to be decorative as much as their sales skills. It is essential to say here that this was not a PC world and there is much in this book that may jar modern sensibilities, not least the way Mr Cecil (the overly emotional dress designer) is openly found amusing by Charlesworth and others in the book. Obviously, you will either accept the book as a product of its time or prefer to read more modern authors, but it is worth mentioning I think that some of the attitudes would be unnacceptable now. It is also a fact that women seem to faint a lot in this book, but again, it is worth overlooking the negatives in this novel and concentrating on the positives.
Brand was an author who wrote with great humour and her characters, although sometimes stereotyped, are interesting and sympathetic. Christophe Et Cie is owned by Mr Bevan, and he has caused much jealousy by planning to open a new branch at Deauville, to which some members of staff hope to be chosen for. There is resentment, jealousy, dislike, worry about divorce, difficult relatives and love affairs for Charlesworth to unravel and contend with. For Charlesworth, there is also the beautiful girls, especially the lovely Victoria. This is also a portrait of a vanished era and way of life and a great mystery to unravel. This is very much a Golden Age Detective story, with clues you can work out - although I am always pretty hopeless at picking "who done it". It is fun, enjoyable and a joy to read. Having collected this authors books for many years, I am happy to have her books in a new format for a new audience to enjoy. If you like authors such as Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers, etc, you will probably enjoy this.
When we meet Charlesworth he is a young man who is as interested in his love life, and string of girlfriends, as he is in his career. For this reason he is assigned the death of a young woman in Christophe Et Cie, an exclusive dress shop in Regent Street. This is very much a vanished world - a shop with mannequins who model the outfits, an emotional dress designer and sales staff who are chosen for their ability to be decorative as much as their sales skills. It is essential to say here that this was not a PC world and there is much in this book that may jar modern sensibilities, not least the way Mr Cecil (the overly emotional dress designer) is openly found amusing by Charlesworth and others in the book. Obviously, you will either accept the book as a product of its time or prefer to read more modern authors, but it is worth mentioning I think that some of the attitudes would be unnacceptable now. It is also a fact that women seem to faint a lot in this book, but again, it is worth overlooking the negatives in this novel and concentrating on the positives.
Brand was an author who wrote with great humour and her characters, although sometimes stereotyped, are interesting and sympathetic. Christophe Et Cie is owned by Mr Bevan, and he has caused much jealousy by planning to open a new branch at Deauville, to which some members of staff hope to be chosen for. There is resentment, jealousy, dislike, worry about divorce, difficult relatives and love affairs for Charlesworth to unravel and contend with. For Charlesworth, there is also the beautiful girls, especially the lovely Victoria. This is also a portrait of a vanished era and way of life and a great mystery to unravel. This is very much a Golden Age Detective story, with clues you can work out - although I am always pretty hopeless at picking "who done it". It is fun, enjoyable and a joy to read. Having collected this authors books for many years, I am happy to have her books in a new format for a new audience to enjoy. If you like authors such as Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers, etc, you will probably enjoy this.
November 27, 2023
Somehow I am only now realizing that the author of this 1941 murder mystery also wrote...NANNY MCPHEE.
So, how's that for random.
This mystery was fine as far as it goes and threw me off with a pretty convincing red herring pretty early on, but it would have been better if I could have kept track of the characters. There is Miss Gregory (frequently just called 'Gregory') and Miss Doon and Macaroni (who has another, proper name she is sometimes referred to) and Mrs. Irene Best and Mrs. Rachel Gay and Mrs. Victoria David (sometimes called Toria) and Miss Judy Carol and Miss Aileen Wheeler (frequently just 'the redhead') and Mrs. 'Arris (who, to give her credit, is quite distinct.) One of the Mrs. is getting a divorce and another is married to an artist and the third I am only now just realizing was a Mrs. at all. There is another girl (Susan or Susie or something?) who gets a POV and isn't relevant at all.
Try figuring out whodunnit with that confusing mess of names, much less their alibis and motives!
The one character who stuck with me was Inspector Charlesworth, the romantically susceptible young detective who apparently only got one more book published in 1979 (color me intrigued.) I picked this one up and then returned it to the library with little intent of pursuing it any time soon but I found Inspector Charlesworth coming to mind more frequently than I expected. Despite a bunch of fairly hard to differentiate women, I will grant this book a place on my favorite characters shelf for him.
Otherwise, this is not one I would be in a hurry to track down.
So, how's that for random.
This mystery was fine as far as it goes and threw me off with a pretty convincing red herring pretty early on, but it would have been better if I could have kept track of the characters. There is Miss Gregory (frequently just called 'Gregory') and Miss Doon and Macaroni (who has another, proper name she is sometimes referred to) and Mrs. Irene Best and Mrs. Rachel Gay and Mrs. Victoria David (sometimes called Toria) and Miss Judy Carol and Miss Aileen Wheeler (frequently just 'the redhead') and Mrs. 'Arris (who, to give her credit, is quite distinct.) One of the Mrs. is getting a divorce and another is married to an artist and the third I am only now just realizing was a Mrs. at all. There is another girl (Susan or Susie or something?) who gets a POV and isn't relevant at all.
Try figuring out whodunnit with that confusing mess of names, much less their alibis and motives!
The one character who stuck with me was Inspector Charlesworth, the romantically susceptible young detective who apparently only got one more book published in 1979 (color me intrigued.) I picked this one up and then returned it to the library with little intent of pursuing it any time soon but I found Inspector Charlesworth coming to mind more frequently than I expected. Despite a bunch of fairly hard to differentiate women, I will grant this book a place on my favorite characters shelf for him.
Otherwise, this is not one I would be in a hurry to track down.
Read
May 3, 2025I listen to a great podcast called Shedunnit and they recently had an episode on Christianna Brand. This book was one the presenter had as one of her favourites, and it sounded really interesting, being set in a big dress shop in London and making that work a bit like one of those country house mysteries where you have a closed circle of suspects.
And that element was really good! I loved this lost world, with mannequins and designers and difficult customers. And really, it made me realise that we don't get enough mysteries set in workplaces. A lot could be made out of the rivalries and petty jealousies, the posturing and quirks. I wonder if it's that most authors don't have experience working in offices, because having worked in them all my adult life, I can really see the potential!
Unfortunately, that was all I liked. I really disliked Brand's characterisation, and how most of her characters felt cartoonish and completely ridiculous. I did not believe in a single one. With a good author, even a preposterous character can have a kernel of truth at the centre that makes them work, but I really did not see this here. And my absolutely least favourite was our detective, Inspector Charlesworth. He was an utter and complete idiot and a total ninny. He felt like a particularly idiotic and immature 12-year-old, not like a grown man and a trained detective.
Additionally, I'm usually pretty good at accepting the more dated elements in books written a long time ago and that this would have been the attitude at the time, however jarring today. But the way Mr Cecil was treated by our detectives for being gay was just something else. Part of it was Charlesworth's stupidity, and I just couldn't take his sniggering and mocking. But the way the narrator described him (girlish hips, etc.) was beyond the pale for me.
I have no idea if the mystery itself is well done or not. The way things are set up is interesting, and it had potential, but I refuse to wade through the antics of these horrific characters to find out.
And that element was really good! I loved this lost world, with mannequins and designers and difficult customers. And really, it made me realise that we don't get enough mysteries set in workplaces. A lot could be made out of the rivalries and petty jealousies, the posturing and quirks. I wonder if it's that most authors don't have experience working in offices, because having worked in them all my adult life, I can really see the potential!
Unfortunately, that was all I liked. I really disliked Brand's characterisation, and how most of her characters felt cartoonish and completely ridiculous. I did not believe in a single one. With a good author, even a preposterous character can have a kernel of truth at the centre that makes them work, but I really did not see this here. And my absolutely least favourite was our detective, Inspector Charlesworth. He was an utter and complete idiot and a total ninny. He felt like a particularly idiotic and immature 12-year-old, not like a grown man and a trained detective.
Additionally, I'm usually pretty good at accepting the more dated elements in books written a long time ago and that this would have been the attitude at the time, however jarring today. But the way Mr Cecil was treated by our detectives for being gay was just something else. Part of it was Charlesworth's stupidity, and I just couldn't take his sniggering and mocking. But the way the narrator described him (girlish hips, etc.) was beyond the pale for me.
I have no idea if the mystery itself is well done or not. The way things are set up is interesting, and it had potential, but I refuse to wade through the antics of these horrific characters to find out.
February 16, 2015
This is such a fun read in the style of the classic detective story.
Even though there is a terrible murder at the heart of this mystery, it's written in a very lighthearted tone. The characters are lively and interesting and the dialogues are quick -- think "My Girl Friday".
There is a death in a very high tone boutique in London and a young detective, Mr. Charlesworth, is called in to determine what actually took place. Along with his more seasoned Sergeant Bedd, he comes to the conclusion that the death was not an accident, but murder; and now he has to determine which of her friends and workmates wanted her dead.
At times, Det. Charlesworth seems to be in over his head and actually gives up at one point and wants to turn the case over to his rival at the station -- he has fallen in love with one of the suspects and every time he gets a new clue, his suspicion falls on a new person.
The story moves pretty quickly and keeps you guessing throughout.
Even though there is a terrible murder at the heart of this mystery, it's written in a very lighthearted tone. The characters are lively and interesting and the dialogues are quick -- think "My Girl Friday".
There is a death in a very high tone boutique in London and a young detective, Mr. Charlesworth, is called in to determine what actually took place. Along with his more seasoned Sergeant Bedd, he comes to the conclusion that the death was not an accident, but murder; and now he has to determine which of her friends and workmates wanted her dead.
At times, Det. Charlesworth seems to be in over his head and actually gives up at one point and wants to turn the case over to his rival at the station -- he has fallen in love with one of the suspects and every time he gets a new clue, his suspicion falls on a new person.
The story moves pretty quickly and keeps you guessing throughout.
November 24, 2021
Brand's debut mystery takes place in a posh dress shop where Mr. Frank Bevan, proprietor and manager, is getting ready to shake things up. Everyone is sure that he is going to send Miss Doon (his especial favorite) off to manage the sales floor of a new branch in Deauville. But at the last minute, those honors go to Miss Gregory, Bevan's secretary and right-hand girl. Miss Doon was set to go to lunch with Bevan to celebrate her promotion--but winds up having lunch in the staff room instead. Hours later, Miss Doon is dead from oxalic poisoning--some crystals were apparently sprinkled on her portion of curried rabbit.
Where did the oxalic acid come from, you might ask. Well, Mrs. Rachel Gay and Mrs. Victoria David had gone to the chemist's to get a small quantity to use to clean straw hats. The stuff gets spilled twice and a number of the staff have an opportunity to get their hands on some of it. When Inspector Charlesworth comes to investigate the suspicious death, he finds that some had opportunity to get the poison, but no opportunity to use it on the food. And some had plenty of opportunity to use it, but no opportunity to get hold of it. And among those who had both there are few motives for doing away with Miss Doon. Then another near-poisoning happens and Charlesworth is baffled. Another inspector is brought in to help clear the muddle and then....Charlesworth has a flash of insight while interviewing one of the suspects. Has he finally solved it?
Honestly, I found this quite exasperating. Throughout 90-some percent of the book Inspector Charlesworth is a most unpromising detective. There are points of interest that absolutely escape him and I can't believe it took 162 pages (and another inspector pointing it out) for him to confront the idea that maybe the intended victim wasn't really the person that died. I'm not saying that's the solution--maybe it is and maybe it isn't--but it was an obvious thing to consider as soon as everyone had told the story of that last fatal luncheon. It also never occurred to him to go talk to the chemist who supplied the oxalic acid. And, then, of course, there's his weakness for lovely young women and the fact that he "just knows" that Victoria David couldn't have murdered and attempted to murder anybody. Fingerprints on a glass? Pooh-pooh. There must be an explanation. Or maybe we can just pretend they aren't there. Again, I'm not saying she really is guilty (or that she really isn't), but I don't care for watching the detective tie himself into pretzels to avoid considering her a legitimate suspect.
And then there's the pacing. This thing dragged...and dragged.We went through the evidence several times and went through convoluted discussions of who might have and who didn't and who could have and who possibly couldn't have and it twisted my thoughts into pretzel shapes. The best of the book was when Charlesworth was interacting with Sergeant Bedd (and Bedd is able to one-up him on a few points) and the scenes in the dress shop environment. I could tell that Brand had worked in a dress shop--the attention to detail really gives the reader a sense of the atmosphere of a high-class shop. I was also surprised by the ending--I had considered the culprit, but then got so sidetracked by the various solutions Charlesworth proposed and his mental gymnastics in avoiding fitting Victoria up as the villain of the piece that I lost sight of that particular solution. ★★ and 3/4--not quite a three-star read.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
Where did the oxalic acid come from, you might ask. Well, Mrs. Rachel Gay and Mrs. Victoria David had gone to the chemist's to get a small quantity to use to clean straw hats. The stuff gets spilled twice and a number of the staff have an opportunity to get their hands on some of it. When Inspector Charlesworth comes to investigate the suspicious death, he finds that some had opportunity to get the poison, but no opportunity to use it on the food. And some had plenty of opportunity to use it, but no opportunity to get hold of it. And among those who had both there are few motives for doing away with Miss Doon. Then another near-poisoning happens and Charlesworth is baffled. Another inspector is brought in to help clear the muddle and then....Charlesworth has a flash of insight while interviewing one of the suspects. Has he finally solved it?
Honestly, I found this quite exasperating. Throughout 90-some percent of the book Inspector Charlesworth is a most unpromising detective. There are points of interest that absolutely escape him and I can't believe it took 162 pages (and another inspector pointing it out) for him to confront the idea that maybe the intended victim wasn't really the person that died. I'm not saying that's the solution--maybe it is and maybe it isn't--but it was an obvious thing to consider as soon as everyone had told the story of that last fatal luncheon. It also never occurred to him to go talk to the chemist who supplied the oxalic acid. And, then, of course, there's his weakness for lovely young women and the fact that he "just knows" that Victoria David couldn't have murdered and attempted to murder anybody. Fingerprints on a glass? Pooh-pooh. There must be an explanation. Or maybe we can just pretend they aren't there. Again, I'm not saying she really is guilty (or that she really isn't), but I don't care for watching the detective tie himself into pretzels to avoid considering her a legitimate suspect.
And then there's the pacing. This thing dragged...and dragged.We went through the evidence several times and went through convoluted discussions of who might have and who didn't and who could have and who possibly couldn't have and it twisted my thoughts into pretzel shapes. The best of the book was when Charlesworth was interacting with Sergeant Bedd (and Bedd is able to one-up him on a few points) and the scenes in the dress shop environment. I could tell that Brand had worked in a dress shop--the attention to detail really gives the reader a sense of the atmosphere of a high-class shop. I was also surprised by the ending--I had considered the culprit, but then got so sidetracked by the various solutions Charlesworth proposed and his mental gymnastics in avoiding fitting Victoria up as the villain of the piece that I lost sight of that particular solution. ★★ and 3/4--not quite a three-star read.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
February 12, 2008
One of two books by this author to feature young Inspector Charlesworth of Scotland Yard, Death in High Heels focuses on a murder that happens in a dress shop. Originally written in 1941, this one is a joy to read, because it is a good, old-fashioned piece of crime fiction where you are given lots of clues, a solid list of suspects and a fun mystery to try to solve. I didn't guess (I was wrong twice) so I was quite happy, and will most likely read other books by this author.
basic plot (no spoilers): A nasty murder is committed at Christophe et Cie, a fashionable dress shop. Inspector Charlesworth of Scotland Yard gets the case, and has to weave through several suspects, several motives, and secrets to try to find the murderer before he/she strikes again. But trying to remain objective is tough when he falls for one of the suspects! This is a fun whodunit, written totally in the classic mystery style and is good for a couple of hours of entertainment.
I think if you are into the old stuff, you'll like this; not a cozy by any means, but rather a good, old-fashioned novel of detection. If you're more of a modern book reader, you may be a bit bored (no excitement, no super-duper plot twists). I liked it, and I'm very picky about my mystery reads.
basic plot (no spoilers): A nasty murder is committed at Christophe et Cie, a fashionable dress shop. Inspector Charlesworth of Scotland Yard gets the case, and has to weave through several suspects, several motives, and secrets to try to find the murderer before he/she strikes again. But trying to remain objective is tough when he falls for one of the suspects! This is a fun whodunit, written totally in the classic mystery style and is good for a couple of hours of entertainment.
I think if you are into the old stuff, you'll like this; not a cozy by any means, but rather a good, old-fashioned novel of detection. If you're more of a modern book reader, you may be a bit bored (no excitement, no super-duper plot twists). I liked it, and I'm very picky about my mystery reads.
January 9, 2022
This is so much fun! Sadly, it feels quite dated (pub. 1941) because of the mean way that so many characters respond to the effeminate Mr Cecil (his nickname is Cissie! and of course he's a dress designer) but if you can get past that, it's a great slice of social history with the setting being an upmarket dress shop in London and a gossipy set of female characters. Some are married, one is in the throes of a divorce, others are single - and while they're all set on catching their man and getting married, there's still a sense of opportunities opening up for women and work: Victoria is even the bread-winner for herself and her artist husband.
Unfortunately, the detective, an Inspector Charlesworth, is a complete fool: he can't see things right in front of his eyes, he misses the obvious channels of investigation. and he even discounts one of the women as he falls in lust with her on first sight.
So the murder mystery is put on hold for most of the book which makes this feel uneven but I really enjoyed the focus on working women, and the friendship between the shop girls who put loyalty to each other above coming clean to the police.
Unfortunately, the detective, an Inspector Charlesworth, is a complete fool: he can't see things right in front of his eyes, he misses the obvious channels of investigation. and he even discounts one of the women as he falls in lust with her on first sight.
So the murder mystery is put on hold for most of the book which makes this feel uneven but I really enjoyed the focus on working women, and the friendship between the shop girls who put loyalty to each other above coming clean to the police.
August 25, 2024
Death in High Heels was Christianna Brand's first novel and the first of only two Inspector Charlesworth mysteries, which were published 38 years apart. Charlesworth (of Scotland Yard) also appeared in a couple of the more prolific Inspector Cockrill novels by Brand. As a first novel perhaps it's understandably a little bit all over the place as she attempts to pull the strings on at least 14 significant characters involved in the investigation of a dress shop. Both Brand and the reader have trouble keeping them all straight and I used the shop staff-directory at the front of the book repeatedly. I had a similar problem with her Death of Jezebel (1948) that featured Inspector Cockrill, in which Charlesworth also appeared. Too much juggling. The setting in a dress shop is novel and loaded with possibilities, being populated by nine women, a lothario, and a gay dress designer (who is unfortunately portrayed and treated as one might expect for 1941, at one point being called "half a man"). The mystery kept me paying attention despite some clumsy and blatant red herrings. Inspector Charlesworth is an amusing young man, unrequited and easily beguiled by a pretty face or luscious legs, making him a bit silly at times but in an understandable way which I found endearing. "His heart melted within him; the determined young detective gave way to the love-lorn young man." Despite any awkward notes or clumsy moments, I very much enjoyed Death in High Heels, especially for the entertaining portrayal of young women of the time. Some may also know Christianna Brand from her Nurse Matilda books, who became Nanny McPhee in films. [3½★]
May 17, 2014
A dreadful farrago of a story. The biggest mystery to this reader is that the book launched Brand's successful career as a writer. The first few chapters are so chock full of cardboard stereotypes of characters found in other (and better written) English mysteries of the same period that the only thing that kept me reading was the fact that I had read, and enjoyed, other books by the same author. Perhaps as she gained technical skill as a writer the things which irked me in this book were either less noticeable or were offset by qualities she brought to her later books.
If Brand's writing gave any suggestion that she was deploying Mr. Charlesworth (the Scotland Yard detective who 'solves' the mystery) as an example of the rank, amateurish incompetence that results when social standing and networking count for more than does competence then the book would have been an interesting, if still frustrating, piece of work. As it is, it is depressingly clear that the author expects the reader to find Charlesworth charming or endearing. However to do so one must find self-indulgence, self-congratulation and rank incompetence to be winning character traits.
The other disturbing aspect of this book is something I doubt the writer was consciously aware of but also something which may have made it rather enjoyable to some of the readers of the time--its frank, open and quite vicious policing of acceptable performance of gender and class. Women who act in the correct manner are charming while those who do not are not. Men who 'swish' or like pastels or enjoy the wrong kind of books and plays are not acceptable even if they may quarrel over the right things (women.) And every person who speaks (or whose thoughts we are allowed to enter into) must linguistically signal their class constantly and unmistakably.
If Brand's writing gave any suggestion that she was deploying Mr. Charlesworth (the Scotland Yard detective who 'solves' the mystery) as an example of the rank, amateurish incompetence that results when social standing and networking count for more than does competence then the book would have been an interesting, if still frustrating, piece of work. As it is, it is depressingly clear that the author expects the reader to find Charlesworth charming or endearing. However to do so one must find self-indulgence, self-congratulation and rank incompetence to be winning character traits.
The other disturbing aspect of this book is something I doubt the writer was consciously aware of but also something which may have made it rather enjoyable to some of the readers of the time--its frank, open and quite vicious policing of acceptable performance of gender and class. Women who act in the correct manner are charming while those who do not are not. Men who 'swish' or like pastels or enjoy the wrong kind of books and plays are not acceptable even if they may quarrel over the right things (women.) And every person who speaks (or whose thoughts we are allowed to enter into) must linguistically signal their class constantly and unmistakably.
February 25, 2016
This was Christianna Brand's first novel. She wrote it while she was working as a sales clerk and fantasizing about doing away with one of her annoying co-workers. The story is one of those golden age mysteries with a lots of suspects, lots of subtle twists and turns and one grand puzzle to figure out. It's a lot of fun and while I have only read three of her books, I have a growing amount of respect for her as a mystery writer. A great plotter, she wrote sophisticated mysteries that were a tad racy for the times. Keep in mind it was the forties and racy was mostly a matter of giving out hints. But then, when all is said and done, she was a pretty good hinter.
May 19, 2017
Death by poisoning at a posh dress shop brings an impressionable young Inspector in among a bevy of lovely young women. Nicely done timetable plot but rather slow, and far too much detail and sub-plots that don’t go anywhere but just seem added in to obfuscate. And the multiple points-of-view aren’t done smoothly, making things rather confusing at times.
But over all this is a tidily wrapped up, strongly plotted and very well-characterized first novel by an author who went on to become one of the very best at writing the subtly dark, psycho-thrillerish British Mystery, and a lot of very creepy short stories. Nicely wry humor (some of it rather scatological), and some lovely pokes at artistic pretensions and gentility (or the lack of it), make this a fun read.
But over all this is a tidily wrapped up, strongly plotted and very well-characterized first novel by an author who went on to become one of the very best at writing the subtly dark, psycho-thrillerish British Mystery, and a lot of very creepy short stories. Nicely wry humor (some of it rather scatological), and some lovely pokes at artistic pretensions and gentility (or the lack of it), make this a fun read.
May 30, 2020
Very good, though Miss Brand is too fast and loose with possible motives. When the actual culprit is revealed (after too many feints), one thinks, "Oh, okay; she chose that motive," but others would have served as well. The denouement engenders no satisfying sense of inevitability. That being said, Charlesworth is a delightful detective and his tortured ratiocination generates quite a bit of enjoyable puzzlement and suspense. The love interest is well integrated into the plot, adding to the qualities mentioned above.
May 5, 2024
I really liked this and now I have to go track down the other Inspector Charlesworth books.
July 23, 2024
I think this is Christianna Brand’s first novel. All her characteristics are there. Really good!
November 27, 2025
Some great characters amongst the shop staff
May 12, 2019
Yep. This is the bar to aim for.
October 21, 2012
Nella casa di moda Christophe & Co. tutto scorre normalmente fino a quando Magda Doon - braccio sinistro del Capo - viene trovata avvelenata con l'acido ossalico. Chi è stato a volere la sua morte e perché? Successivamente una delle commesse tenta il suicidio? E' lei l'assassina?
La trama è molto intrigante, l'ambientazione è carina (seppur non descritta con sapienza ma solo "accennata") però....non riesce a prenderti. La lettura - trattandosi di un giallo - è stata molto lenta e poco avvincente; i personaggi sono troppi e molto spesso è difficile distinguerli; il commissario Charlesworth non è una figura che rimane particolarmente impressa. Tutto sembra molto piatto e scontato.
Mi ha fatto pensare ad un "giallo sbiadito": sono presenti tutti gli elementi per un potenziale giallo d'autore ma mi è parso che il colore sia diventato sempre più tenue man mano che la lettura procedeva..è un vero peccato!
E' il primo libro che leggo di questa autrice: non posso permettermi di giudicarla ma mi aspettavo qualcosa di meglio, se devo essere sincera.
Sarebbero 2 stelle e mezzo, per la verità....ma non essendo una lettura impegnativa faccio la brava e gli assegno 3 stelline.
La trama è molto intrigante, l'ambientazione è carina (seppur non descritta con sapienza ma solo "accennata") però....non riesce a prenderti. La lettura - trattandosi di un giallo - è stata molto lenta e poco avvincente; i personaggi sono troppi e molto spesso è difficile distinguerli; il commissario Charlesworth non è una figura che rimane particolarmente impressa. Tutto sembra molto piatto e scontato.
Mi ha fatto pensare ad un "giallo sbiadito": sono presenti tutti gli elementi per un potenziale giallo d'autore ma mi è parso che il colore sia diventato sempre più tenue man mano che la lettura procedeva..è un vero peccato!
E' il primo libro che leggo di questa autrice: non posso permettermi di giudicarla ma mi aspettavo qualcosa di meglio, se devo essere sincera.
Sarebbero 2 stelle e mezzo, per la verità....ma non essendo una lettura impegnativa faccio la brava e gli assegno 3 stelline.
February 3, 2022
My rule with regard to racism, sexism and gender-discrimination and other discriminatory attitudes and practices in books is that I always look at the era in which the author is writing. Still jars though, when one comes across it.
I was not too impressed with this debut novel featuring Inspector Charlesworth, and I do not know the cause, but seems he had a short-lived career. I will read other works of Christianna Brand, who judging from the comments, upped her game after this one, even got herself another inspector.
I was not too impressed with this debut novel featuring Inspector Charlesworth, and I do not know the cause, but seems he had a short-lived career. I will read other works of Christianna Brand, who judging from the comments, upped her game after this one, even got herself another inspector.
August 25, 2022
I read this as I had never read a Christianna Brand mystery, and this was the first one she wrote. I liked it - though the detective in charge of the case was a little annoying: he has the quirk of falling easily in and out of love with attractive women, and it is a bit taxing. Also, the story does fall down in the rankings in the "stuck in its time" area, especially around gay men. She wrote it after working in a shop, so the setting and shop characters all seem very real. Will probably try another of hers.
February 3, 2015
What a farce! The characters are ridiculous, especially one known as Bobby D-a-z-z-l-e-r. Inspector Charlesworth is an immature idiot who should be bounced from the force for unprofessional conduct. A waste of time for the most part.
October 7, 2012
Vintage 1940s British mystery. Good for the era, not my cuppa
December 23, 2025
Brand is often spoken of as an important figure in the post Golden Age period as someone who writes impossible crimes in a Golden Age style. This novel probably doesn’t represent the best of her work but it has some interesting elements.
This was her debut, written in 1941, which takes place in a high class dress shop, before the outbreak of the war and features a murder in a workplace with the suspects being one of the staff. It’s an unusual premise and the plot twists from one suspect to another before revealing the perpetrator.
This really is a period piece, which means the characterisation of the working class and gay characters is firmly rooted in its time.
To our modern ears it feels uncomfortable but there’s no doubt that people, especially the police would have spoken that way about a gay man and that he would have had to put up with disrespect and discriminatory language. What is perhaps remarkable is that the character exists in this book at all and that his lifestyle is spoken about as perfectly “normal” in a world where homosexuality was illegal. Brand may not have the language we want to read when giving gay characters a role in the story, but she writes him as a key member of staff (and apparently brings him back in other novels) at a time when most novelists would have backed away from or merely hinted at what is made explicit.
The working class woman, Mrs ‘Arris is also something of a figure of fun but again, whether we like it or not, these kinds of characters were frequently depicted as comic relief in that period. Nevertheless, she works with the younger women and clearly likes them and at one point even finds herself joining the “above stairs” staff dealing with the public.
It has a very English feel. Brought up on J Arthur Rank films and Ealing comedies, I can feel the atmosphere of the 1940s London that pervades this book.
It has weaknesses. The characters are underdeveloped and the murder comes way too soon leaving a lot of red herring chases that stretch the patience. Because of this, I sometimes lost track of where we were in the detection.
The central detective Charlesworth is a bit wet (I’m intrigued by the Lestade type Smithers who is working class and not “connected” like Charlesworth who is very at home in the “club”). He admits he solves the crime without following the “rules” and spends far longer than healthy mooning over one of the suspects, like a proto-Morse who also had a habit of courting the women involved in murder cases! Brand, nevertheless, writes him into another book later on in her career with hopefully a bit more character.
Nonetheless, its atmosphere and premise make it an interesting part of detective fiction history.
This was her debut, written in 1941, which takes place in a high class dress shop, before the outbreak of the war and features a murder in a workplace with the suspects being one of the staff. It’s an unusual premise and the plot twists from one suspect to another before revealing the perpetrator.
This really is a period piece, which means the characterisation of the working class and gay characters is firmly rooted in its time.
To our modern ears it feels uncomfortable but there’s no doubt that people, especially the police would have spoken that way about a gay man and that he would have had to put up with disrespect and discriminatory language. What is perhaps remarkable is that the character exists in this book at all and that his lifestyle is spoken about as perfectly “normal” in a world where homosexuality was illegal. Brand may not have the language we want to read when giving gay characters a role in the story, but she writes him as a key member of staff (and apparently brings him back in other novels) at a time when most novelists would have backed away from or merely hinted at what is made explicit.
The working class woman, Mrs ‘Arris is also something of a figure of fun but again, whether we like it or not, these kinds of characters were frequently depicted as comic relief in that period. Nevertheless, she works with the younger women and clearly likes them and at one point even finds herself joining the “above stairs” staff dealing with the public.
It has a very English feel. Brought up on J Arthur Rank films and Ealing comedies, I can feel the atmosphere of the 1940s London that pervades this book.
It has weaknesses. The characters are underdeveloped and the murder comes way too soon leaving a lot of red herring chases that stretch the patience. Because of this, I sometimes lost track of where we were in the detection.
The central detective Charlesworth is a bit wet (I’m intrigued by the Lestade type Smithers who is working class and not “connected” like Charlesworth who is very at home in the “club”). He admits he solves the crime without following the “rules” and spends far longer than healthy mooning over one of the suspects, like a proto-Morse who also had a habit of courting the women involved in murder cases! Brand, nevertheless, writes him into another book later on in her career with hopefully a bit more character.
Nonetheless, its atmosphere and premise make it an interesting part of detective fiction history.
January 18, 2024
This author was a total unknown to me until a few days ago; I only became aware of her after reading a bit of James Scott Byrnside, who turns out to be a fan to the point of imitating her as a homage. I can see that this book hasn't got a great rating at this site, but I found it quite delightful and brimming with dry wit. There is a frank and, well, unromantic approach to sexuality that I don't remember seeing in classic detective fiction, or any genre fiction, from that period. I was reading it as much as a social satire as a detective novel, even though the mystery was also very skillfully constructed.
And who doesn't love phrases like "Stinking cat!" and "Not a sausage!"
Maybe five stars are too much, but I'll stand by them.
Brand seems to be very aware of genre tropes and uses them to play with the reader's expectations. For instance, two characters basically invoke the trope of the second victim being someone who knows too much in a conversation they assume to be private but is actually overheard by a party who pretends to have poor hearing. Eventually the trope is subverted, and our interpretation of the conversation turns out to be wrong. Inspector Charlesworth seems to be fairly clueless, easily swayed by a pretty face, and prone to rushing to the wrong conclusions, even when we are shown his internal thought processes. But then, in the denouement he proceeds to present a slew of false solutions implicating every suspect the reader might have considered. These are shot down by the other party in the conversation, who points out his mistakes - until he reveals that he had already figured out the real killer from a slip of the tongue. This dialogue is actually directed to the reader: the author saying "Did you think so-and-so did it? This is how it could have worked, but you missed this and that."
I was a little frustrated by one aspect of the plot: everyone was concentrating on the poison crystals that spilled on the floor and who might have picked some of them up, but there was a question no one seemed to be asking:
And who doesn't love phrases like "Stinking cat!" and "Not a sausage!"
Maybe five stars are too much, but I'll stand by them.
Brand seems to be very aware of genre tropes and uses them to play with the reader's expectations. For instance, two characters basically invoke the trope of the second victim being someone who knows too much in a conversation they assume to be private but is actually overheard by a party who pretends to have poor hearing. Eventually the trope is subverted, and our interpretation of the conversation turns out to be wrong. Inspector Charlesworth seems to be fairly clueless, easily swayed by a pretty face, and prone to rushing to the wrong conclusions, even when we are shown his internal thought processes. But then, in the denouement he proceeds to present a slew of false solutions implicating every suspect the reader might have considered. These are shot down by the other party in the conversation, who points out his mistakes - until he reveals that he had already figured out the real killer from a slip of the tongue. This dialogue is actually directed to the reader: the author saying "Did you think so-and-so did it? This is how it could have worked, but you missed this and that."
I was a little frustrated by one aspect of the plot: everyone was concentrating on the poison crystals that spilled on the floor and who might have picked some of them up, but there was a question no one seemed to be asking:
November 28, 2017
The main charm of this mystery is its setting in a fashionable dress store in London, ca 1940. One of the many beautiful young women who work in this boutique dies of oxalic acid poisoning after lunch in the communal canteen. That product had been brought onto the premises by some of her colleagues for the innocent purpose of cleaning a hat, had been spilled, had been cleaned up, had been disposed of in the toilet, and had been the topic of much discussion. With sales clerks, mannequins and secretaries drifting in and out of the various offices, showrooms, workrooms and the canteen, there is no dearth of subjects. The store turns out to be a hotbed of amorous intrigue, with several girls vying for the privilege of being the owner's mistress. There is much competition for the coveted job of helping to open a new store in France as well. The girls cover a wide swath of society as well, from a guttersnipe trying to climb her way up in the world, to a society girl amusing herself to fill the time before marriage, with the wife of an aristocratic painter, a soon-to-be divorcee and a young widow thrown in to round off the selection. The Scotland Yard detective assigned to the case is a susceptible young man who finds himself befuddled by so much pulchritude.
The book is a puzzler in the sense that there is a meticulous accounting of who was where at which time point, and who entered what room from which door, and who had access to the plate of poisoned food. It shows its age in the unsympathetic portrayal of the flamboyantly gay designer of the dress shop. All in all, it's a rather plodding read, even though there are some funny moments.
The book is a puzzler in the sense that there is a meticulous accounting of who was where at which time point, and who entered what room from which door, and who had access to the plate of poisoned food. It shows its age in the unsympathetic portrayal of the flamboyantly gay designer of the dress shop. All in all, it's a rather plodding read, even though there are some funny moments.
January 12, 2022
I understand this book was the first she had written in the mystery genre, as up until now, it had been children's books. I'm pleased that this wasn't the first of her books I had read, as to me it was a dud. Her Inspector Cockrill books also contained a couple of duds, but taken overall she had also written some rather good mysteries. This book was set in a high-class ladies dress shop in London, however it could have been in any office or factory anywhere, as it was about a group of workers there, some vying for a position in a new shop opening in France. The owner of the shop is a man who has affairs with just about all his employees, excepting the elderly cleaner and the actual dress-designer, a Mr Cecil, who has been written as an emotional who does not share a taste for women. Having been given this information, as is usual a murder via poisoning is committed, or could it have been an accident. An Inspector Charlesworth is to find out why and how a person has been killed, but he is really a complete, lustful fool. His main point of interest is focusing on one of the suspects, convincing himself he is in love. Because of this he misses a lot of the information that turns up. All rather pathetic, and if he hadn't had a good sargeant working with him, I think the book would still have been meandering on. This book went on way too long as it is.
November 25, 2025
Instead I have a pretty newly released British Library Crime Classic, and another Christianna Brand murder mystery - this time it’s her debut, Death in High Heels. This features a murder at Christopher et Cie, a dress shop of the most superior kind, where the murderer must be one of five young women who work there. Our detective is a young and somewhat susceptible Inspector Charlesworth, who is trying to untangle the murder.
I do like a workplace mystery, especially where you learn something about how things used to be done. Murder Must Advertise where Wimsey is employed at an advertising agency is brilliant for this - with print blocks, art studios and runners, and Death in High Heels also has vanished details about how clothing shops used to be done - with things like women employed as mannequins to demonstrate how the outfits look to clients, and a staff lunch service. The introduction to this BLCC edition says that (like Dorothy L Sayers and her time in advertising) Brand took inspiration from her own spell working in a shop selling cookers to write this. As I said, this is Brand's debut, and it's not as good as Green for Danger or Tour de Force but it still makes for an interesting read, even if Charlesworth goes off down a lot of wrong paths and seems to stumble upon the solution.
I do like a workplace mystery, especially where you learn something about how things used to be done. Murder Must Advertise where Wimsey is employed at an advertising agency is brilliant for this - with print blocks, art studios and runners, and Death in High Heels also has vanished details about how clothing shops used to be done - with things like women employed as mannequins to demonstrate how the outfits look to clients, and a staff lunch service. The introduction to this BLCC edition says that (like Dorothy L Sayers and her time in advertising) Brand took inspiration from her own spell working in a shop selling cookers to write this. As I said, this is Brand's debut, and it's not as good as Green for Danger or Tour de Force but it still makes for an interesting read, even if Charlesworth goes off down a lot of wrong paths and seems to stumble upon the solution.
January 23, 2025
This was a disappointment after Fog of Doubt. The detective, Charlesworth, was a bit of a fool and did very little detective work. Most of it was done by Sgt Bedd and a colleague, called in very late in the story. However, after endless discussions regarding motive and opportunity, Charlesworth claims to have had a moment of inspiration and solves the case. Then proceeds to drive one of the suspects around in the last few chapters, explaining it all to her. Really, very odd.
Perhaps Brand realised he was a bit of a dud as her next book introduces Inspector Cockrill, who I much prefer.
This book suffers from common first novel problems. There are too many characters (too similar to each other as well and, confusingly, referred to by their first names sometimes and their last names at other times), it is too long and the pacing is uneven. However, the relationships between the women working in the dress shop were convincingly portrayed and the dialogue was very natural.
The first and last 100 pages were engaging but the middle part was a slog and could have easily been halved. I’m glad I didn’t start with this book as I doubt I would have read any others by her.
Perhaps Brand realised he was a bit of a dud as her next book introduces Inspector Cockrill, who I much prefer.
This book suffers from common first novel problems. There are too many characters (too similar to each other as well and, confusingly, referred to by their first names sometimes and their last names at other times), it is too long and the pacing is uneven. However, the relationships between the women working in the dress shop were convincingly portrayed and the dialogue was very natural.
The first and last 100 pages were engaging but the middle part was a slog and could have easily been halved. I’m glad I didn’t start with this book as I doubt I would have read any others by her.
August 16, 2024
This was Brand's first mystery and it feels like it. It has things going for it, but a plethora of characters, some really late deductions (I was practically screaming at Charlesworth to ), dollops of classism and outward disdain towards a gay character (to her credit, I guess the fact that he is allowed to work there at all without fear in the 1930s/40s is pretty progressive? maybe?), and just me completely losing track of who had access to what when, just made this a slog for me. Brand appears to continue her pattern of ineffectual police detectives, with a bunch of even more effective-seeming amateur detectives (though ). Anyway, 3* for a fairly forgettable mystery.
November 23, 2025
I finished the book. but have read better the detective Charlesworth is unbelievable.
He openly tells one of the suspects he loves her even though she is married and plainly a liar and he has proof of it. He calls her Toria her names Victoria in the middle ofthe case and swears to protect her.
Irene,Victoria leave to die because she thinks she has over dosed from guilt because they think she is the murderer and it would be better for her. she dies rather than face a trial.
later the three women confront Irene who survived her attempt and Victoria offers her morphine to kill herself with so save her going to trial.
Luckly Charlesworth stops her.
But even after witnessing it he still is infatuated with her.
This was the authors first book and it shows badly. I am not surprised she had trouble selling it. it is wrong on so many levels
.
He openly tells one of the suspects he loves her even though she is married and plainly a liar and he has proof of it. He calls her Toria her names Victoria in the middle ofthe case and swears to protect her.
Irene,Victoria leave to die because she thinks she has over dosed from guilt because they think she is the murderer and it would be better for her. she dies rather than face a trial.
later the three women confront Irene who survived her attempt and Victoria offers her morphine to kill herself with so save her going to trial.
Luckly Charlesworth stops her.
But even after witnessing it he still is infatuated with her.
This was the authors first book and it shows badly. I am not surprised she had trouble selling it. it is wrong on so many levels
.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2017
Brand's debut novel already shows her love of twists, turns and obfuscation. She handles the red herring much more convincingly than many contemporary cosy-mystery authors. I have to admit I guessed who the killer was very early in the book, but she did keep me guessing, in part because of her ability to use language effectively. Her personal experience as a shopgirl in the fashion industry of the day helped her make an atmospheric novel that didn't scream "research."
The only bump in the well-written road was Charlesworth's avowed tendency to fall in love with a suspect...and tell her so. I can't imagine he would have kept his position very long with that sort of weakness.
The only bump in the well-written road was Charlesworth's avowed tendency to fall in love with a suspect...and tell her so. I can't imagine he would have kept his position very long with that sort of weakness.
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