The Cluny Problem: A Chief Inspector Pointer Mystery

Chief Inspector Pointer #5

by A.E. Fielding

The Cluny Problem , first published in 1929, is a classic British 'golden-age' murder mystery. The book, authored by A. E. Fielding (whose real identity remains itself somewhat of a mystery), features Scotland Yard's Chief Inspector Pointer, called in by French authorities to assist them in solving a pair of murders. From the Just as the Villa Porte Bonheur at Cluny, France, is recovering from a daring jewel theft, Mr. Brownlow and Sir Anthony Cross are found dead in one of its rooms. The obvious conclusion is that their sudden deaths are the result of a duel over the former’s beautiful and dangerous wife, but for good and sufficient reasons the French police have to reject this solution. A. confession from Brownlow is found which seems to unravel the mystery, but Sir Anthony Cross's fiancée has a different theory. Her views are shared by the indomitable Inspector Pointer of Scotland Yard and, in the end, prove to be correct.

Genres: Mystery

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1928

About the author

A. Fielding (also known as Archibald Fielding or A.E. Fielding) was a pseudonym of Dorothy Feilding.

Reviews

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow, disjointed and over complicated. I nearly gave up on this one. Disappointing.

[Tony Harker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tedious, overly long and overly complicated. I was thinking less of “whodunnit” and more of “who cares whodunnit?” I finally gave up and skimmed the last chapter, relieved I had finally finished it. Not one to recommend.

[Jeff Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over long and over complicated murder mystery. Set in France, the author throws in the kitchen sink with everything from the Klu Klux Clan and the US Rangers. I'm not really sure how a small village in France could cope with plot given. Not my cup of tea really.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really intriguing Golden Age find! Plucky American reporter Vivian Young is engaged to wealthy, older Englishman Sir Anthony, but visiting historic Cluny, France, where she thinks he has a past love interest, convinces her that she can't marry him. She certainly can't when Sir Anthony is found dead after a duel with the supposed love interest's husband, who's also dead. A visiting Scotland Yard inspector helps the French police, and there's also a stodgy Scottish detective investigating a robbery. Lots of suspects, presumed alliances, and a satisfying enough conclusion--but then the truth comes out when the inspector reports back to his chief at Scotland Yard, providing a totally unexpected, delightful conclusion.

[Gillian Kevern · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up.

I liked this mystery a lot. Characters with strong personalities with more going on than meets the eye, a strong plot and an interesting puzzle. I found this a very satisfying read.

It's rounded up because there were some spelling errors and weird formatting things that make me think this book was not thoroughly proofed. Other than that, a great example of golden-era detective fiction.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just cannot get through the awful "Scottish" character