Hole and Corner

by Patricia Wentworth

The death of an American multimillionaire has a profound—and dangerous—effect on a young Englishwoman in this novel of romantic suspense   William Ambrose Merewether altered his will just before his death, leaving his millions to descendants of his cousin Jane Lorimer, who may or may not still be alive. But the legacy hinges on one nonnegotiable condition.   Across the channel, Shirley Dale struggles to make ends meet working for Mrs. Huddleston, a wealthy, self-indulgent woman who rarely leaves her house. Everything is fine, relatively speaking—until Shirley finds herself in possession of someone else’s purse. Then she’s accused of stealing sixpence and a valuable diamond brooch from her employer. Who is framing her and why? Terrified of being arrested, she flees to the rural village of Emshot, where her only surviving relative lives.   But Shirley is confronted with an unwelcome surprise when she arrives at Acacia Cottage. With her freedom at stake, she turns to the only person she can Anthony Leigh, Mrs. Huddleston’s nephew. But Anthony has every reason not to trust her. As a sinister plan gathers momentum, Shirley must clear her name and unmask the culprit before she loses her liberty and possibly her life.   The author of the Miss Silver Mysteries spins a web of romance and mystery in this absorbing novel.  

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Classics, 20th Century

209 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1936

About the author

Patricia Wentworth--born Dora Amy Elles--was a British crime fiction writer.

She was educated privately and at Blackheath High School in London. After the death of her first husband, George F. Dillon, in 1906, she settled in Camberley, Surrey. She married George Oliver Turnbull in 1920 and they had one daughter.

She wrote a series of 32 classic-style whodunnits featuring Miss Silver, the first of which was published in 1928, and the last in 1961, the year of her death.

Miss Silver, a retired governess-turned private detective, is sometimes compared to Jane Marple, the elderly detective created by Agatha Christie. She works closely with Scotland Yard, especially Inspector Frank Abbott and is fond of quoting the poet Tennyson.

Wentworth also wrote 34 books outside of that series.

Reviews

[Suzanne Robertson Moutis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems a shame that not so many people read Patricia Wentworth (1877-1961) anymore. I adore her novels—I liken them to a Golden Age version of a "cozy mystery." It makes me very happy that she was prolific; her most well-known protagonist was the diminutive yet formidable Miss Silver (similar to Miss Marple, although Miss Silver made her debut two years before Agatha Christie's heroine), who starred in 32 books, but Patricia Wentworth wrote more than 70 novels altogether.

Hole and Corner is one of the better stand-alones, I think. Originally published in 1936, it features many of the Wentworth hallmarks: a spirited likeable heroine, a masterful heroic love interest, a decidedly happy ending, a bit of a convoluted (and often fanciful) plotline that relies a bit too heavily on coincidence, sparkling prose and the delicious flavour of a bygone era where crimes are neatly wrapped up without excessive violence by the providential arrival of the local bobbies and the quick thinking of said spirited heroine and masterful hero. [Caveat: A product of their age, sometimes politically incorrect references appear.]

In Hole and Corner, feisty Shirley Dale is the victim of a number of unexplained incidents that paint her as a thief, such as the discovery of someone else's handbag on her arm as she's stepping onto a bus in a throng of people and the sudden appearance of a couple of shillings that aren't hers in her flat. But when her employer's jewels go missing and Shirley is seen as the culprit, things go from simply embarrassing to sinister. Luckily, barrister Anthony Leigh is on hand to help solve the puzzle while he tries to persuade Shirley to marry him. It all hinges on the will of a recently deceased American millionaire, and a number of rather convenient circumstances. Despite the contrivances in storyline, I thought these characters were sweet and earnest and their dialogue bubbly and fun. I could easily visualize them, and the HEA ending made me turn the last page with a satisfied sigh.

For many years, Patricia Wentworth's books have soothed and amused me, and Hole and Corner is a worthy addition to that group. It was the perfect post-holiday read. I always find that there is a sentence or paragraph that I find particularly delightful—and has me wishing I could write as well. Quotes like "I hope remorse is gnawing at your vitals" brought a smile to my face, while this paragraph was a highlight:

"First of all there was Anthony. She would certainly have to have a quarrel with Anthony. She spent a pleasant ten minutes or so planning it in every detail, from the first blow up to the final embrace. It was all very stimulating and amusing, the only drawback being that by the time she had finished with it she wasn’t really feeling angry enough to quarrel with Anthony at all. However, that could probably be managed when the time came."

I think I've started 2020 off right.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a five star read! I've had this book in my kindle app for several years but was always nervous that I wouldn't like this stand alone as much as I liked her Miss Silver books. But I finally took the plunge, and what a gem. Even though I knew, like all Patricia Wentworth books, that it would all come right in the end it had me on the edge of my seat at one moment then laughing the next.

The social history aspects of life in a certain social class in the 1930s were fascinating as well. For example how it wasn't acceptable to go out without hat, coat and gloves, or travel, or book into a hotel, without a suitcase and it seems a man to vouch for you.

[Deborah Wallen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting post-war Britain read. No Miss Silver this time, but an excellent thriller. Our heroine, Shirley Dale, is falsely accused (of course) and must make her way out of a multitude of frightening situations. Of course, there is romance along the way.
The plot hinges around the peculiar will made by an eccentric American millionaire, William Ambrose, and the machinations of the possible heirs. An amusing ending and somewhat unexpected. Virtue is, as always, rewarded.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is just not for me.

[Dogsandbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old fashioned. Dpl e book via total boox

[Rachel Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better Wentworths — fun and ingenious, the heroine is spunky, the hero isn’t a total caveman. Too much foot-stamping but I’ll forgive it.

[Lisabeth Eames Capozzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Rollicking Good Read!

Patricia Wentworth once again tells a captivating yarn full of adventure, mystery, romance, and humor! I loved the Woggy Doodles!

[Claudia]

not her best

[Domino Domino · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like Shirley and can't see what Anthony would have seen in her. A bit disappointing really as I didn't really care what happened to her.

[Cate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as her other books--hard to get into, plot rather unbelievable, characters ok. Still, overall an ok read.

[Clarabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quel bonheur de retrouver ma bonne vieille copine Patricia Wentworth ! C'est, pour moi, l'assurance de passer un bon moment de lecture : simple, dépaysant, vintage, captivant. Une fois de plus, il est question d'une histoire d'une incroyable rouerie, au scénario ingénieux et aux rebondissements multiples. Une jeune femme sans le sou est accusée de vol et prend ses jambes à son cou pour éviter son arrestation (en cherchant éventuellement à se sortir de ce guêpier). S'engage alors une course-poursuite effrénée mais redoutable. L'héroïne passe pour une attachante écervelée, coincée dans une situation embarrassante, à propos de laquelle il ne faut pas être dupe, mais complice du crime en puissance. Cette lecture sait nous régaler de bonnes petites séquences d'une intensité dramatique palpitante et même, parfois, burlesques. Bref. Du très bon dans le genre cozy mystery.

[Evelyn Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent – – a great place to start if you are new to Wentworth

Lots of twists and turns in this delightful suspense romp set and written in 1935. Superb example of the cozy mystery genre that all ages can enjoy. No gore, no violence, no cursing. A fun read.

[Joann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting and had some good characters. I did find Shirley's behavior very childish at times, but other than that I found it very entertaining.