Inspector West: Battle for Inspector West

Inspector West #6

by John Creasey, Patrick Allen (Narrator), Sarah Lawson (Narrator)

Based on the long-running series of novels by John Creasey, the Inspector West dramas became popular with radio audiences between 1967 and 1971. Nicknamed ‘Handsome’ West, the Chief Inspector is one of Scotland Yard’s youngest and smartest detectives, and a devoted family man.

In this action-packed serial, West is in Dorset on the trail of a dangerous criminal mastermind. Young Michael Grant is honeymooning at Uplands hotel when several strange events lead him to suspect that he is being threatened. His mortal enemy – Carosian – has returned to England, and is looking to take revenge on Grant for thwarting his blackmail plans.

Carosian is an old adversary of West’s, and the Chief Inspector sees an opportunity to set a trap and capture his nemesis. But when a man is murdered and Grant’s wife, Christine, disappears, West finds himself facing a deadly battle that he must win...

This thrilling full-cast drama from 1967 features real-life husband and wife Patrick Allen and Sarah Lawson as Roger and Janet West, with Francis de Wolff as Carosian.

Also included is a half hour episode from The Radio Detectives series, Stand by for West, in which Professor Jeffrey Richards profiles John Creasey's Scotland Yard inspector.

Duration: 3 hours 40 mins

Genres: Mystery

4 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 1948

About the author

AKA Gordon Ashe, M E Cooke, Norman Deane, Robert Caine Frazer, Patrick Gill, Michael Halliday, Charles Hogarth, Brian Hope, Colin Hughes, Kyle Hunt, Margaret Lisle, Abel Mann, Peter Manton, J.J. Marric, Richard Martin, Rodney Mattheson, Anthony Morton, Jeremy York, Henry St. John Cooper and Margaret Cooke.

John Creasey (September 17, 1908 - June 9, 1973) was born in Southfields, Surrey, England and died in New Hall, Bodenham, Salisbury Wiltshire, England. He was the seventh of nine children in a working class home. He became an English author of crime thrillers, published in excess of 600 books under 20+ different pseudonyms. He invented many famous characters who would appear in a whole series of novels. Probably the most famous of these is Gideon of Scotland Yard, the basis for the television program Gideon's Way but others include Department Z, Dr. Palfrey, The Toff, Inspector Roger West, and The Baron (which was also made into a television series). In 1962, Creasey won an Edgar Award for Best Novel, from the Mystery Writers of America, for Gideon's Fire, written under the pen name J. J. Marric. And in 1969 he was given the MWA's highest honor, the Grand Master Award.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced crime thriller starring Inspector West of Scotland Yard. Smart, good looking, and modern, West is faced with a nightmare scenario of blackmail, kidnapping and death, in a battle against his old adversary Carosian. Can West find him and put a stop to Carosian's actions before it's too late? Who is behind it all? Read the book and find out!

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, quick read that is packed with action and incident. It starts with a wedding and finishes up on the London docks as Inspector West tracks a master criminal.
Creasey knew how to tell a story with economy and a crisp style, and while his thumbnail portraits of characters don't have a lot of depth they remain remarkably effective.

[ShanDizzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's the kind of diabolical sociopathic criminal that Roger is up against:
'Oh no,’ protested Carosi calmly. ‘That is not true. I get no pleasure out of hurting your friend Fingleton. It just does not matter. If I could get all I want without it, I would not trouble to cause any man or woman pain, but sometimes it is the only way. But to get pleasure—no. I simply do not care.'

[Deane · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book I have read by John Creasey...although he has so many pseudonyms, I might have read other mysteries by him.

I enjoyed the story although I wish Carosi had been killed ....now that he is alive, perhaps he will outwit the police again.

I liked Inspector West (Handsome) and Christine, Michael Grant's new bride. Story was easy to read and follow.

[Adriane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Solid mystery

[Laura Hannaway · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me. Didn’t like any of the characters and the plot was over the top.

[El · Rating 3 out of 5]

I happened upon this by accident and really liked it. Published in 1949 so it is totally of its time with equality, sexism and modern-day issues unknown to the modern reader, it could be an alarming read but if you accept that it is a 1940s work it is an easy read/listen. Crimes happen, the baddie is a criminal who addresses people politely and all of the characters are stereotypes. It is of another world and time and, though the story stretches one's credulity, it is interesting to read about this other world. I would definitely read another one in this series.

2.9.24. Listened to this again and heartily endorse my first review. Just wish I could get hold of some more of these fascinating peeps into a bygone time.

[Michael P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have not liked previous Inspector West books, but continue to hear how fine they are so I gave this one a try. It is anything but fine.

The villain seems continued from an earlier book or books, so reading that (those?) first may have helped, but that would not overcome the limpness of the characters, the improbabilities in the story, or the fact that Creasey blows up yet another house. This is a mannerism he really must overcome, though it is a bit late for that now.