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Una bala para el señor Thorold
A mystery story that is different.
This is not only a mystery story with an intricate plot, but also a sketch done with affection and humour of a typical manifestation of the Public School system. We make the acquaintance of a gallery of masters and their wives and watch with interest behaviour whilst that world is under a cloud of suspicion. The strange adventures of a missing Officer Training Corps rifle are gradually traced and the school becomes convinced that the murderer is in their midst. With Scotland Yard and special correspondents prowling around, you will yourself trace the probably murderer several times until the very unexpected end.
This is not only a mystery story with an intricate plot, but also a sketch done with affection and humour of a typical manifestation of the Public School system. We make the acquaintance of a gallery of masters and their wives and watch with interest behaviour whilst that world is under a cloud of suspicion. The strange adventures of a missing Officer Training Corps rifle are gradually traced and the school becomes convinced that the murderer is in their midst. With Scotland Yard and special correspondents prowling around, you will yourself trace the probably murderer several times until the very unexpected end.
360 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1932
About the author
R.C. Woodthorpe
7 books2 followersRalph Carter Woodthorpe was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on 2 April 1886.
After his education he held a number of teaching posts in a variety of schools. He later entered journalism, becoming an assistant to Hamilton Fyfe during the latter's lively editorship of the 'Daily Herald'.
On the 'Daily Herald' he spent nearly three years contributing all kinds of things from leaders to wireless notes, and writing a daily humorous column as a by-line.
He had his first mystery novel 'The Public School Murder' published in 1932 and it was greeted by the critics as a fresh note in detective fiction and it set an example which was extensively followed thereafter. It was noted that he was 'a writer of comic detective novels'.
He went on to write a further seven detective novels and one non-detective novel, the latter being 'London is a Fine Town', a book that he regarded as his favourite among his books.
He received the detective writer's award of merit in that he was elected to the Detection Club.
He was unmarried and latterly lived in Sussex.
He died in Portsmouth in the December quarter of 1971, ie October, November or December - exact date not known therefore 1 December entered as this is a required field.
After his education he held a number of teaching posts in a variety of schools. He later entered journalism, becoming an assistant to Hamilton Fyfe during the latter's lively editorship of the 'Daily Herald'.
On the 'Daily Herald' he spent nearly three years contributing all kinds of things from leaders to wireless notes, and writing a daily humorous column as a by-line.
He had his first mystery novel 'The Public School Murder' published in 1932 and it was greeted by the critics as a fresh note in detective fiction and it set an example which was extensively followed thereafter. It was noted that he was 'a writer of comic detective novels'.
He went on to write a further seven detective novels and one non-detective novel, the latter being 'London is a Fine Town', a book that he regarded as his favourite among his books.
He received the detective writer's award of merit in that he was elected to the Detection Club.
He was unmarried and latterly lived in Sussex.
He died in Portsmouth in the December quarter of 1971, ie October, November or December - exact date not known therefore 1 December entered as this is a required field.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 2, 2020
A delightful classic.
August 10, 2025
This is very definitely a mystery story that is different, so much so that it is a difficult book to review in detail because too much could be given away very easily.
Obviously from the title there is a murder, or is it a murder? And obviously it takes place at a Public School, this one Polchester. The death does not take place at the outset for prior to that there are introductions to the various masters and their little peccadilloes and petty jealousies. The public school setting is brilliantly portrayed, even down to a map of the premises, and the lives and relationships of the students are revealed as the story progresses. Also, the masters are superbly described so that by the time the action takes place, the reader is well versed into their characters, thus enabling thoughts to be given to who did what and why.
Scotland Yard are called in but the police take a low key role in the whole saga with the masters reasoning out what has gone on, a missing Officer Training Corps rifle playing a significant part n the plot. However, whatever thoughts are formulated, it is nothing compared to the unexpected end to the whole affair, which is recounted in two completely separate parts.
The tension holds throughout as does the reader's wonderment as to what exactly has happened. 'The Public School Murder' proves to be a most enjoyable read.
10 August 2025
Yes, it is an enjoyable read, even on the second read. And everything else in the above review still prevails. I don't want to give anything else away, suffice it to say that it keeps the reader on the edge of the seat until the very last page - or alternatively keeps the reader wondering! Very good.
Obviously from the title there is a murder, or is it a murder? And obviously it takes place at a Public School, this one Polchester. The death does not take place at the outset for prior to that there are introductions to the various masters and their little peccadilloes and petty jealousies. The public school setting is brilliantly portrayed, even down to a map of the premises, and the lives and relationships of the students are revealed as the story progresses. Also, the masters are superbly described so that by the time the action takes place, the reader is well versed into their characters, thus enabling thoughts to be given to who did what and why.
Scotland Yard are called in but the police take a low key role in the whole saga with the masters reasoning out what has gone on, a missing Officer Training Corps rifle playing a significant part n the plot. However, whatever thoughts are formulated, it is nothing compared to the unexpected end to the whole affair, which is recounted in two completely separate parts.
The tension holds throughout as does the reader's wonderment as to what exactly has happened. 'The Public School Murder' proves to be a most enjoyable read.
10 August 2025
Yes, it is an enjoyable read, even on the second read. And everything else in the above review still prevails. I don't want to give anything else away, suffice it to say that it keeps the reader on the edge of the seat until the very last page - or alternatively keeps the reader wondering! Very good.
February 15, 2024
Un crimen cometido en un colegio público inglés para varones. La policía ingresa para investigar este asesinato, mientras un grupo de profesores, de manera simultánea, tratarán de resolver el misterio que rodea la muerte del señor Thorold, rector del recinto.
Una novela policial de la vieja escuela que nos mantiene intrigados dentro de una investigación en la que confluyen diversos sospechosos y teorías.
Entretenida.
Una novela policial de la vieja escuela que nos mantiene intrigados dentro de una investigación en la que confluyen diversos sospechosos y teorías.
Entretenida.
July 22, 2020
Una historia de asesinato y misterios normal. Interesante para leer en una tarde.
December 10, 2022
es joda?? tanto libro para eso?
January 3, 2019
Tres estrellas. De 0 a 10: 6.
Want to Read
December 23, 2019Synopsis: the headmaster at Polchester School has been murdered and the chair of the governing body works on the case.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews