The House Opposite: A Mystery

Ben the Tramp #2

by Elizabeth Kent

From the Collins Crime Club archive, the first original novel to feature Ben the Cockney tramp, the unorthodox detective character created by J. Jefferson Farjeon, author of Mystery in White.

Strange things are happening in the untenanted houses of Jowle Street. There are unaccountable creakings and weird knockings on the door of No. 29, where a homeless ex-sailor has taken up residence. But even stranger things are happening in the House Opposite, from where a beautiful woman in an evening gown brings Ben a mysterious message; and worse—the offer of a job!

Ben the ‘passing tramp’ was immortalised on film by Alfred Hitchcock in the film Number 17, based on a popular ’twenties stage play and novelisation by journalist-turned-author Joe Jefferson Farjeon. The House Opposite (1931) was the first full-length original novel to feature Ben, a reluctant down-at-heels Cockney sleuth, who went on to feature in six more successful detective thrillers from 1931 to 1952.

This Detective Story Club classic includes an introduction by H. R. F. Keating, author of the award-winning Inspector Ghote mysteries, which first appeared in the Crime Club’s 1985 ‘Disappearing Detectives’ series.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Classics, Fiction, Audiobook, British Literature, Ebooks

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1903

About the author

1875-1947

Reviews

[Fiona MacDonald]

I was so disappointed with this Crime Club selection. What annoyed me so much was that certain parts were extremely funny, to the extent that I was chuckling away (partly due to Ben, the tramp and his voracious range of cockney dialogue which I had to speak out loud to understand) but for the good part of the story I can't say I cared one way or another about what was happening, and then I also got mixed up with the various people (I.e. who was a criminal, who was double crossing who etc). I did like the idea of the book being split into two sections, but not enough that it will raise my star rating any higher than 3. Sorry J. Jefferson Farjeon.

[Laura]

Free download available at Project Gutenberg

[J]

This short mystery is a lot like the opening parts of Rear Window. Dude sees something mysterious in an apartment across the way, then gets inexplicably drawn into a murder mystery. Unfortunately, it's nowhere near as satisfying as Rear Window, and even though the killer is rather easy to guess, the reasons behind the killing brings the novel to an anti-climactic end. There's also the beginnings of a romance that are resolved too quickly.

It's a fairly easy read, but be prepared to endure the racism of the time period. It's not really bad, but does distract from the novel a bit. Both African-Americans and immigrants are held up to be definitely second class people.

As a free book, and a product of its time, it's not a bad read. Just not something you're going to remember a few months after.

[Hannah]

"'Lord luvvaduck!' gasped Ben. The cheese had turned into a revolver."

When I found myself desperately in need of a crime fix, the obvious choice was a Detective Story Club Classic. I chose this one because of the intriguing "tramp detective", and it did not disappoint. Well-written, engaging characterisation, and nicely constructed.

[Cheryl]

Really two and a half stars. An engaging mystery, but I didn't love the ending. As another reviewer here said, there is a bit of racist stereotyping with some of the characters which took me out of the story. An ok read, but nothing special.

[Bettie]

Opening: What I am about to relate occurred but a few years ago—in the summer of ’99, in fact. You may remember that the heat that year was something fearful. Even old New Yorkers, inured by the sufferings of many summers, were overcome by it, and everyone who could, fled from the city. On the particular August day when this story begins, the temperature had been even more unbearable than usual, and approaching night brought no perceptible relief. After dining with Burton (a young doctor like myself), we spent the evening wandering about town trying to discover a cool spot.

At last, thoroughly exhausted by our vain search, I decided to turn in, hoping to sleep from sheer fatigue;[2] but one glance at my stuffy little bedroom discouraged me. Dragging a divan before the window of the front room, I composed myself for the night with what resignation I could muster.

[Elizabeth Haire]

The House Opposite

The House, really, is an apartment building in New York City. This is a period story in which women and men all wear hats and gloves upon going out of their homes.
For those who have seen a Jimmy Stewart film called, "Rear Window", you might be reminded of the intricacies of that story as this one begins to unfold.
This tale, though, is not the same, as the reader will discover.
Best wishes as you delve into the mind of the detective to sort out the details of this mystery.

[Nanosynergy]

While the first in the series was fresh, this book seemed very similar to the first book with different characters and tweeked plot. A few bright spots, but not sufficient.

[Dawn Tyers]

This outing for the tramp Ben was not as well conveyed as No. 17 which seemed much more logical and credible. Much of the time we had poor Ben’s thoughts and efforts clouded with delirium induced either by his being drugged or extreme hunger. He is definitely a plucky fellow though and his natural tendency to cowardice is overcome when need arises by his strong sense of justice and honour. The final chapter was decidedly muddled and the ending a little abrupt which gave the whole an unsatisfying air.

[Starry]

NYC in the summer of 1899. Good mystery

[Nan Bauroth]

A crazy mystery

I liked Farjeon's other books but this is terrible. Can't understand the dialect and story either. I wo t waste mo ey on any of the others in this series.

[Amanda]

Ugh. I got halfway through this and just gave up. The cockney finally beat me down for good. This was another from my increasingly more misguided foray through the library book sale. An appealing cover and a good plot were undone by terrible writing. Fully halfway through the book, you know there’s something going on across the street from the empty house most of the first half of the book is set in. Which is the same as what you knew on page one of the book. In between, there’s cul de sac after cul de sac of plot meanderings that all lead back to the same spot. There’s a reason why this writer is mostly forgotten today! If you come into it thinking, oh Hitchcock made a film from one of these stories, don’t let that mislead you! This is not like watching The 39 Steps or Rebecca and then discovering an incredible writer behind the movies. Not at all! Total pass from me, but I’ll give it a second star since it got me to the middle of the book.

[Anne]

A sad disappointment after the wonderful Number 17. The earlier book had started out as a play, which was a big hit both on stage and on film. Farjeon was persuaded (or wanted) to cash in on their success, so he turned it into a novel. And it was first-rate.

Some years later this second book was published (there would be six more). Farjeon repeated the premise of the first book by having the plot center on a house in which Ben was taking refuge, but nothing else about the story compares. There is no real mystery. We know that the house, or rather houses, are the headquarters of some criminal organization, but there is no big reveal as to the nature of the crimes going on. Eventually we figure it out, but as crimes go, it is nothing new or exciting. Much of the action takes place in Ben’s fevered mind, which gets to be tedious, and at the end I did not have the feeling of satisfaction that one gets at the close of a good mystery.

[Graham]

Given how much I enjoyed No. 17, the first in the series, this was a big letdown. It's a book split into two halves and the first is adequate enough, a kind of re-run of the first novel with the addition of a second, even more mysterious house set across the street from the brunt of the action. Ben is as loveable as ever and the writing zings along. Then we cut to the second half, which is a kind of explanation/jump back in time in which Ben becomes very much a bit part in his own story, and it completely falls apart: repetitive, with lacklustre and interchangeable characters, and a real a dearth of interest. What a shame!

[Betsy]

The story would be great, except for the author's use of dialect. Having to decode what the main character was saying (mostly to himself) got in my way of experiencing all the ins and outs of his deductive reasoning (usually flawed) and finding any clues to what the mystery was. The fact that it happens in a very short period of time and there are a wide-ranging cast of supporting characters should add to the enjoyment, but I found it frustrating.

[Katherine]

This book was published in 1903, and it hasn't worn well. The story is adequate, but frequently a little overwrought; the characters seem like so much stock, trotted out to run their paces and retire, without ever becoming real people. Still, it isn't an unworthy read, even if just for the historical aspects.

[Kate]

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

[Delia]

Slow as molasses. Probably I'll re-read it to remember what happened, for now 2.5/2.75 stars

[Janet]

Very exciting and intriguing. Would recommend if you enjoy the golden age of crime books. This is the first book by J. Jefferson Farjeon I have read, and I'll definitely read more.

[Laura Hannaway]

I struggled with this a little compared with Mystery In White, however I thought it was still well written and entertaining.

[Jen Parenti]

2.75/5⭐️

[Richie Bannister-Lowe]

Really enjoyed reading, it was definitely a page turner, kept me guessing until the end

[Yibbie]

Rather boring and a strange conclusion.