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Chief Inspector Littlejohn #30
Murder Makes Mistakes
The many admirers of Sergeant Cromwell, faithful assistant and friend to Superintendent Littlejohn, will learn with dismay that, whilst attending the funeral of his uncle Richard, in the pretty Cheshire village of Rushton Inferior, he is shot through the head.
The fact that Cromwell is quite unknown in Rushton raises the questions of whether or not the crime was an accident or deliberately done.
Littlejohn, casting all other tasks aside, hurries north to the hospital where his sergeant is lying and there the surgeon tells him that the crime was committed by the smallest bullet he has ever seen. A shot from a pop-gun, in fact.
The famous Superintendent settles down in Rushton Inferior, gets to work, and there unravels a series of stories and incidents, some comic, others tragic in the extreme, all of which finally lead him to solve the case.
Murder Makes Mistakes was first published in 1958.
Inspector Thomas Littlejohn of Scotland Yard is a shrewd yet courteous sleuth who splits his time between quaint English villages, the scenic Isle of Man and French Provinces. With a sharp tongue and a dry sense of humour, Littlejohn approaches his work with poise and confidence, shifting through red-herrings and solving even the most perplexing of cases.
‘One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story’ – The New York Times
‘Mr Bellairs always gives good value’ – The Sunday Times
‘Pure British detective story’ – The New York Times
The fact that Cromwell is quite unknown in Rushton raises the questions of whether or not the crime was an accident or deliberately done.
Littlejohn, casting all other tasks aside, hurries north to the hospital where his sergeant is lying and there the surgeon tells him that the crime was committed by the smallest bullet he has ever seen. A shot from a pop-gun, in fact.
The famous Superintendent settles down in Rushton Inferior, gets to work, and there unravels a series of stories and incidents, some comic, others tragic in the extreme, all of which finally lead him to solve the case.
Murder Makes Mistakes was first published in 1958.
Inspector Thomas Littlejohn of Scotland Yard is a shrewd yet courteous sleuth who splits his time between quaint English villages, the scenic Isle of Man and French Provinces. With a sharp tongue and a dry sense of humour, Littlejohn approaches his work with poise and confidence, shifting through red-herrings and solving even the most perplexing of cases.
‘One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story’ – The New York Times
‘Mr Bellairs always gives good value’ – The Sunday Times
‘Pure British detective story’ – The New York Times
- GenresMystery
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1958
146 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
George Bellairs
73 books101 followersAKA Hilary Landon
George Bellairs is the nom de plume of Harold Blundell, a crime writer and bank manager born in Heywood, near Rochdale, Lancashire, who settled in the Isle of Man on retirement. He wrote more than 50 books, most featuring the series' detective Inspector Littlejohn. He also wrote four novels under the alternative pseudonym Hilary Landon.
George Bellairs is the nom de plume of Harold Blundell, a crime writer and bank manager born in Heywood, near Rochdale, Lancashire, who settled in the Isle of Man on retirement. He wrote more than 50 books, most featuring the series' detective Inspector Littlejohn. He also wrote four novels under the alternative pseudonym Hilary Landon.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 27, 2019
The intrepid Sergeant Robert Cromwell unselfishly assists Superintendent Thomas Littlejohn; however, the two men, after 15 years together, have become good friends as well as coworkers. So when Cromwell is shot in his head, Littlejohn and his wife Letty drop everything to accompany Cromwell’s wife and race north to the scene of the crime.
Cromwell was in the market town of Rushton in Cheshire for the funeral of his Uncle Richard Twigg. Why would anyone shoot at a man who wasn’t even know in the town? Was Cromwell the target? Or someone else? Littlejohn takes control of the case, determined to find the assailant and bring justice to his friend and colleague — although not before he uncovers two suspicious deaths.
Author George Bellairs throws one surprise after another in this suspense-filled novel. Readers will find the resolution quite unexpected. Highly recommended.
Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read this book for free.
Cromwell was in the market town of Rushton in Cheshire for the funeral of his Uncle Richard Twigg. Why would anyone shoot at a man who wasn’t even know in the town? Was Cromwell the target? Or someone else? Littlejohn takes control of the case, determined to find the assailant and bring justice to his friend and colleague — although not before he uncovers two suspicious deaths.
Author George Bellairs throws one surprise after another in this suspense-filled novel. Readers will find the resolution quite unexpected. Highly recommended.
Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read this book for free.
May 4, 2021
Another brilliant George Bellairs book!
I love the social history element of his writing, his observations of life whether in a city or a small village are incredible! These mixed with the brilliant Inspector Littlejohn always make for an excellent read.
This one has us scratching the surface of small town Cheshire following the shooting of a Policeman! We all know what small towns are like! A hotbed of lies, deception and almost always murder......
I love the social history element of his writing, his observations of life whether in a city or a small village are incredible! These mixed with the brilliant Inspector Littlejohn always make for an excellent read.
This one has us scratching the surface of small town Cheshire following the shooting of a Policeman! We all know what small towns are like! A hotbed of lies, deception and almost always murder......
March 2, 2025
The 26th book I have read by this author this set in mid 50s and is everything you need for the weekend
December 28, 2017
Superintendent Littlejohn visits the quiet village where Cromwell has been shot.While investigating this, he uncovers further crimes including murder, bigamy and blackmail.He is rather slow in getting round to interviewing one obvious person which might have speeded up one part of the plot.
In fact, the whole story unfolds at a pace which is far too leisurely and there are lots of conversations which are either repetitive or only marginally relevant.There are descriptions of several houses which are not all that interesting and only shed a little light on their owners.
Fairly average Bellairs from 1958, the same year as the vastly superior Corpse at the Carnival.
A point of interest-one of the characters in this is a retired bank manager!
In fact, the whole story unfolds at a pace which is far too leisurely and there are lots of conversations which are either repetitive or only marginally relevant.There are descriptions of several houses which are not all that interesting and only shed a little light on their owners.
Fairly average Bellairs from 1958, the same year as the vastly superior Corpse at the Carnival.
A point of interest-one of the characters in this is a retired bank manager!
August 19, 2022
B-:
An enjoyable, atmospheric read, but Bellairs opts for perhaps the least interesting solution to the mystery.
An enjoyable, atmospheric read, but Bellairs opts for perhaps the least interesting solution to the mystery.
June 9, 2024
Great stuff!
October 10, 2017
A classic, but Bellairs is not my favorite. Sometimes 1940s and 1950s detective fiction relies too heavily on the magic tricks of the detective's deductive powers a la Sherlock Holmes, but -- unlike Holmes -- without creating a detective we really believe capable of these feats. Littlejohn is one of these detectives. Not a bad book. I wouldn't run screaming from the bookstore who carried it -- but not satisfying either.
November 29, 2016
in which Littlejohn is left to investigate shooting of Cromwell who remains in hospital for most of the action ... and what a tangle amongst the provincials he finds - this one does not translate well into present time as I have had my fill of "buxom"
this one not recommended
this one not recommended
December 20, 2019
Littlejohn does it again!! I love Bellairs - his writing is top notch and his detectives well drawn. Period 50s life on show here in all its charm and with classic sordid underbelly...
July 19, 2025
This time it's personal.
Superintendent Littlejohn of Scotland Yard is handling routine matters when he gets a horrifying call. His colleague Sergeant Cromwell has taken a few days off to travel to the small town of Rushton. His Uncle Richard, who made his fortune in Australia, has died of hemorrhaging ulcers. Cromwell is one of the executors of his will and he goes to attend the funeral and help settle the estate.
It's his first meeting with the attractive, much-younger woman Uncle Richard met on a cruise and married soon afterwards. Uncle Richard's widow is suitable upset by his death. If everyone suspects she married him for his money, worse things have happened and the couple seems happy.
Then Cromwell takes a late night constitutional and someone fires two small caliber bullets into his head. When Littlejohn and Mrs Cromwell arrive, the surgeons have just finished operating on him. They think he'll survive, but Littlejohn is shocked at the near tragedy. He and Cromwell have worked together for fifteen years and are as close as brothers.
Letty Littlejohn comes to stay with Mrs Cromwell and Littlejohn checks into Wetherby Temperance Hotel. Nothing and no one is going to budge him until he finds out who shot Cromwell. It turns out to be a very complicated case.
Investigation reveals that Uncle Richard's widow has a past as a lively playgirl. There's also evidence that she was deceiving her elderly husband with at least one younger man. In the pocket of Cromwell's jacket is an envelope with two dicoumadin tablets. Littlejohn learns that it's a blood thinner prescribed for patients at risk for blood clots. But Uncle Richard wasn't, so where did the pills come from? Did Cromwell suspect that his uncle's death wasn't natural? Was that why he was shot?
While Littlejohn is looking into Uncle Richard's death and his widow's motivations, he becomes aware that the invalid across the street from his hotel is very interested in his movements. She was a wealthy spinster when she married and her husband travels frequently. Is this another case of marrying for money? And why is Mrs Beeton so worried having a Scotland Yard detective in town?
Local Inspector Tandy is happy to have Littlejohn's help, but he's astonished to learn that Littlejohn is convinced that Uncle Richard was murdered, but that Cromwell's shooting had nothing to do with it! The two biggest bombshells to ever hit Rushton and there's no connection?
As always, Littlejohn solves both mysteries with patient police work. Talking to people and then checking their stories against others isn't dramatic, but it gets the information needed. In the end, the experienced detective has called it. There WERE two crimes committed. One an ugly crime for money, followed by even uglier blackmail. The other a sad attempt by a man who has no intention of hurting anyone, but who longs to experience a more upper class life than he's ever known.
It's a good mystery in a good series.
Superintendent Littlejohn of Scotland Yard is handling routine matters when he gets a horrifying call. His colleague Sergeant Cromwell has taken a few days off to travel to the small town of Rushton. His Uncle Richard, who made his fortune in Australia, has died of hemorrhaging ulcers. Cromwell is one of the executors of his will and he goes to attend the funeral and help settle the estate.
It's his first meeting with the attractive, much-younger woman Uncle Richard met on a cruise and married soon afterwards. Uncle Richard's widow is suitable upset by his death. If everyone suspects she married him for his money, worse things have happened and the couple seems happy.
Then Cromwell takes a late night constitutional and someone fires two small caliber bullets into his head. When Littlejohn and Mrs Cromwell arrive, the surgeons have just finished operating on him. They think he'll survive, but Littlejohn is shocked at the near tragedy. He and Cromwell have worked together for fifteen years and are as close as brothers.
Letty Littlejohn comes to stay with Mrs Cromwell and Littlejohn checks into Wetherby Temperance Hotel. Nothing and no one is going to budge him until he finds out who shot Cromwell. It turns out to be a very complicated case.
Investigation reveals that Uncle Richard's widow has a past as a lively playgirl. There's also evidence that she was deceiving her elderly husband with at least one younger man. In the pocket of Cromwell's jacket is an envelope with two dicoumadin tablets. Littlejohn learns that it's a blood thinner prescribed for patients at risk for blood clots. But Uncle Richard wasn't, so where did the pills come from? Did Cromwell suspect that his uncle's death wasn't natural? Was that why he was shot?
While Littlejohn is looking into Uncle Richard's death and his widow's motivations, he becomes aware that the invalid across the street from his hotel is very interested in his movements. She was a wealthy spinster when she married and her husband travels frequently. Is this another case of marrying for money? And why is Mrs Beeton so worried having a Scotland Yard detective in town?
Local Inspector Tandy is happy to have Littlejohn's help, but he's astonished to learn that Littlejohn is convinced that Uncle Richard was murdered, but that Cromwell's shooting had nothing to do with it! The two biggest bombshells to ever hit Rushton and there's no connection?
As always, Littlejohn solves both mysteries with patient police work. Talking to people and then checking their stories against others isn't dramatic, but it gets the information needed. In the end, the experienced detective has called it. There WERE two crimes committed. One an ugly crime for money, followed by even uglier blackmail. The other a sad attempt by a man who has no intention of hurting anyone, but who longs to experience a more upper class life than he's ever known.
It's a good mystery in a good series.
October 9, 2024
I was heartbroken in the very first chapter to read that Sergeant Cromwell had been shot in the head. And from there, ‘Murder Makes Mistakes’ just gets better and better (fortunately, Cromwell does, too). It has multiple murders, attempted murders, suicides, really accidental deaths, bigamy, blackmail, embezzling of funds and tax evasion. There was, however, no parking offence among the many felonies and misdemeanours featured here.
And Inspector Littlejohn is handicapped without the reliable, cheerful Sergeant, but still, he uses the local cop shop to do the file- and footwork to get an idea of what really happened when Cromwell was shot. In the process, not one, but several crimes and several different perpetrators come out in the open. The clues are carefully laid out, right under your nose, and yet invisible, like the painting of snow on a blank canvas. Bellairs had a lot of fun writing this one!
An entertaining and very enjoyable whodunit, with that touch of humanity that marks a good writer. Both Mrs Cromwell and Mrs Littlejohn, despite their cameo appearances, are marked by anxiety and at times, misery. But the main criminals - for more than one crime is outlined here - call for compassion, or at least for sympathy, despite the merciless and horrendous nature of their crimes. That is why Littlejohn stands out among other fictional inspectors. He understands.
And Inspector Littlejohn is handicapped without the reliable, cheerful Sergeant, but still, he uses the local cop shop to do the file- and footwork to get an idea of what really happened when Cromwell was shot. In the process, not one, but several crimes and several different perpetrators come out in the open. The clues are carefully laid out, right under your nose, and yet invisible, like the painting of snow on a blank canvas. Bellairs had a lot of fun writing this one!
An entertaining and very enjoyable whodunit, with that touch of humanity that marks a good writer. Both Mrs Cromwell and Mrs Littlejohn, despite their cameo appearances, are marked by anxiety and at times, misery. But the main criminals - for more than one crime is outlined here - call for compassion, or at least for sympathy, despite the merciless and horrendous nature of their crimes. That is why Littlejohn stands out among other fictional inspectors. He understands.
May 16, 2019
I’d rate this a bit under four stars if I could. The plot, as others have pointed out, is convoluted with plenty of options for who is murdering who. There is a level of humour bordering on farce, and much of the interest comes from the creation of a community with its scandals, secrets, assumptions and dependencies. Within this context there is the constant reminder that Cromwell was attacked - and other deaths may not have been accidental. Bellairs’ strength lies in the underlying seriousness of two propositions: it is feasible, even within a relatively small community, to plan and commit murder to preserve a lifestyle; and this should not be tolerated or go undetected. Littlejohn’s quiet persistence and dogged pursuit of all details and possible lines of enquiry result in a fairly lengthy narrative. They also create a convincing community and crime.
Part of Bellairs skill is his establishment that while any number of people, pleasant, unpleasant, greedy, shy, outgoing, have secrets and mistakes that might hurt them if exposed, they do not choose to eliminate those who might expose them.
It was a good, fun read, with the satisfaction of reinforcing the notion that murder should out.
Part of Bellairs skill is his establishment that while any number of people, pleasant, unpleasant, greedy, shy, outgoing, have secrets and mistakes that might hurt them if exposed, they do not choose to eliminate those who might expose them.
It was a good, fun read, with the satisfaction of reinforcing the notion that murder should out.
February 6, 2021
Out of all the great Golden Age crime fiction that have been rediscovered George Bellairs is by far the standout. In "Murder Makes Mistakes", Bellairs continues to shine with a terrific book that engages the reader throughout complete with a twist. The plot sees Inspector Littlejohn's faithful sergeant Robert Cromwell, in Cheshire, looking in to his Uncle Frank's details following his death. When Cromwell is shot, Littlejohn arrives to pick up where he left off. Frank's wife Mrs Briggs appears to be in terror and Littlejohn thinks she is being blackmailed by her husband's shady butler Cank. Bellairs gives the reader a large pool of well drawn characters to keep any crime fiction fan happy.
December 29, 2023
I enjoyed this book. It's a treat for me to follow Superintendent Tom Littlejohn as he investigates crime in rural England in the post WW2 years. In this case, he is without his longtime assistant Sgt. Cromwell who is in hospital recovering from a gunshot to the head. He's in for a long recuperation, but will live to carry on his police career.
Littlejohn is called to a town in Cheshire where Cromwell has been shot. His assignment there is to find the shooter. Along the way to that discovery however, he is presented with two suspicious deaths. Both of them later are found to be murders by poisoning.
Bellairs does a good job of portraying the English countryside. He creates interesting characters who fit in well with the rural locales he so aptly describes. He captures their way of life with plenty of local colour. In this case, there's the villainous Cank and the manhunting Mrs. Groves to name two of his townspeople.
Recommended reading for Littlejohn fans and for those new to the series. This is one of a long-running series, but can be read as a standalone.
Littlejohn is called to a town in Cheshire where Cromwell has been shot. His assignment there is to find the shooter. Along the way to that discovery however, he is presented with two suspicious deaths. Both of them later are found to be murders by poisoning.
Bellairs does a good job of portraying the English countryside. He creates interesting characters who fit in well with the rural locales he so aptly describes. He captures their way of life with plenty of local colour. In this case, there's the villainous Cank and the manhunting Mrs. Groves to name two of his townspeople.
Recommended reading for Littlejohn fans and for those new to the series. This is one of a long-running series, but can be read as a standalone.
June 28, 2017
Such a good book, Cromwell who is Littlejohns able assistant and friend has gone to his uncle's funeral and finds he is one of the executives of his will. O and gets himself shot whilst still sorting out his duties there, this brings Littlejohn to come up and find out what's going on. So the investigation begins and manages to bring the twist and turns Mr Bellairs is so good at with his brand of humour but still deliver a story unique from his others. I do recommend this book and the Littlejohn series I haven't found a bad one yet.
March 27, 2024
Duplicitous lives in the usual small town favored by Bellairs. Bellairs has a good line in English “types” (the busy body town councilor) and grotesques (the odious Cank). The shooting of Cromwell is inexplicable really - it’s such an over reaction to a situation that could be finessed - but gets things rolling as Littlejohn investigates the shady dealings that turn up in its aftermath.
Does poison really feature that much in English murders (the influence of Crippen?). And I’m not sure in the late 50s businessmen would be flying from Manchester to Birmingham.
Does poison really feature that much in English murders (the influence of Crippen?). And I’m not sure in the late 50s businessmen would be flying from Manchester to Birmingham.
April 8, 2018
Poor Cromwell
Cromwell gets shot in the head & while he lays unconscious Littlejohn goes out to find whoever did it. Since Cromwell was at his Uncle's funeral & being the executor of his will there was suspicion about the why Cromwell was really shot! Was his Uncle's death not natural. If not who would kill such a wonderful man as Uncle Twiggs? Also will Cromwell make it, or leave his wife & lovely daughters alone on thier own? Another great read
Cromwell gets shot in the head & while he lays unconscious Littlejohn goes out to find whoever did it. Since Cromwell was at his Uncle's funeral & being the executor of his will there was suspicion about the why Cromwell was really shot! Was his Uncle's death not natural. If not who would kill such a wonderful man as Uncle Twiggs? Also will Cromwell make it, or leave his wife & lovely daughters alone on thier own? Another great read
February 5, 2023
Four stars is possibly a bit generous but I really enjoyed this one. Slightly different from the usual Littlejohn outing in that poor old Cromwell was shot in the head whilst attending his uncles' funeral in a place where nobody even knew him. This sparked off a chain of events involving murder, blackmail and all sorts of other skullduggery. All written beautifully in Bellairs's witty style.
I had read it before but long before I joined Goodreads so had never reviewed it.
I had read it before but long before I joined Goodreads so had never reviewed it.
September 18, 2017
I love British police investigation stories, especially those set back in the 30s and 40s. DI Littlejohn is a very good detective. This story leads through many twists and turns as Littlejohn works at solving three different crimes. Who could have committed them? They don't seem to be connected. It all takes place in a small village...surely someone must have seen something.
December 24, 2018
Kindle Unlimited | Crammed full | Poor Cromwell has been shot! There's a lot happening in this one, and Littlejohn has to work out what's connected and what's separate. One plotline comes completely out of left field, but still interesting.
June 12, 2019
Excellent
Another enthralling case for Littlejohn, this time he is investigating who shot his faithful friend and comrade Sergeant Cromwell who had gone to his Uncle's funeral and to help sort out his affairs as the executor of his will.
Another enthralling case for Littlejohn, this time he is investigating who shot his faithful friend and comrade Sergeant Cromwell who had gone to his Uncle's funeral and to help sort out his affairs as the executor of his will.
January 4, 2019
The most complicated of the Littlejohn mysteries I have read so far. There are twists and surprises until the very end. Bellairs adds a little bit of humor that makes a step above some mysteries.
September 26, 2019
3.5 stars
May 17, 2021
Not all Littlejohn are the same. Some of them are boring - long winded and dull. But this one is interesting. The characters are well defined and events take place fast.
December 2, 2021
This one is really intriguing!
August 17, 2022
Sergeant Cromwell is shot while visiting family for his uncle's funeral. Littlejohn goes to investigate in the small village. He uncovers some very interesting things.
A great classic mystery.
A great classic mystery.
May 26, 2025
Except for the bigamy nonsense, which doesn't age well at all, a solid book.
Though I liked it better when Hardcastle was the one who shot Cromwell.
Though I liked it better when Hardcastle was the one who shot Cromwell.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2018
Another one that I didn't like as much as his others. Towards the end, I found that I got rather confused by the various character's actions. It seemed as though the conclusion wasn't the one he intended but just rather happened somehow along the way. Still an interesting read, though. Just not his best.
August 28, 2020
Littlejohn is called to the north after his loyal assistant is shot in the head. Once there he discovers a tangled web of intrigue as he tries to discover who shot Cromwell and why. This is actually really twisty and clever. I enjoyed it a lot.
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