Death Makes a Prophet

Superintendent William Meredith #11

by John Bude, Martin Edwards (Introduction)

'Small hostilities were growing; vague jealousies were gaining strength; and far off, wasn't there a nebulous hint of approaching tragedy in the air?'

Welworth Garden City in the 1940s is a forward-thinking town where free spirits find a home-vegetarians, socialists, and an array of exotic religious groups. Chief among these are the Children of Osiris, led by the eccentric High Prophet, Eustace K. Mildmann. The cult is a seething hotbed of petty resentment, jealousy and dark secrets - which eventually lead to murder. The stage is set for one of Inspector Meredith's most bizarre and exacting cases.

This witty crime novel by a writer on top form is a neglected classic of British crime fiction.

Introduction by Martin Edwards.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, British Literature, Classics, Audiobook, Golden Age Mystery

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1947

About the author

John Bude was a pseudonym used by Ernest Carpenter Elmore who was a British born writer.

He was born in 1901 and, as a boarder, he attended Mill Hill School, leaving in 1919 and moving on to Cheltenham where he attended a secretarial college and where he learned to type. After that he spent several years as games master at St Christopher School in Letchworth where he also led the school's dramatic activities.

This keen interest in the theatre led him to join the Lena Ashwell Players as stage manager and he took their productions around the country. He also acted in plays produced at the Everyman Theatre in Hampstead, where he lived for a time. He honed his writing skills, whenever he had a moment to spare, in the various dressing rooms that he found himself in.

He eventually returned to Maidstone, the town of his birth, and during the Second World War he ran his local Home Guard unit as he had been deemed unfit to serve in the forces.

He later lived in Loose, Kent, and after that near Rye, East Sussex, and enjoyed golf and painting but never learned to drive although that did not stop him apparently offering advice to his wife when she was driving! He had met his wife, Betty, when producing plays back in Maidstone and they married in 1933.

After becoming a full-time writer, he wrote some 30 crime fiction novels, many featuring his two main series characters Superintendent Meredith and Inspector Sherwood. He began with 'The Cornish Coast Murder' in 1935 and his final two crime novels, 'A Twist of the Rope' and 'The Night the Fog Came Down' were published posthumously in 1958.

He was a founder member of the Norfolk-based Crime Writers Association (CWA) in 1953 and was a co-organiser of the Crime Book Exhibition that was one of the CWA's early publicity initiatives. He was a popular and hard-working member of the CWA's committee from its inception through to May 1957.

Under his own name he also wrote a number of fantasy novels, the most well-known of which is 'The Lumpton Gobbelings' (1954). In addition he wrote a children's book, 'The Snuffly Snorty Dog' (1946).

He was admitted to hospital in Hastings on 6 November 1957, having just delivered his what turned out to be his final manuscript to his publisher, for a routine operation but he died two days later.

Fellow British crime writer Martin Edwards comments, "Bude writes both readably and entertainingly. His work may not have been stunning enough to belong with the greats, but there is a smoothness and accomplishment about even his first mystery, 'The Cornish Coast Murder', which you don't find in many début mysteries."

Interestingly he was the dedicatee of 'The Case of the Running Mouse' (1944) by his friend Christopher Bush. The dedication stated, 'May his stature, and his circulation, increase.'

NB: He was not born on 1 January but the system does not allow a date of birth without a month and date so it defaults to 1 January.

Reviews

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while) · Rating 4 out of 5]

EXCERPT: . . . a ferment was at work; small hostilities were growing; vague jealousies were gaining strength; little intrigues swelling into obsessions. And far off, no more than a dark speck beyond a distant horizon, wasn't there a nebulous hint of approaching tragedy in the air? Big oaks from little acorns grow, and viewing events in retrospect there seems little doubt that the jumping off point of this tragedy was Alicia Hagge-Smith's "vision". Without her "vision" circumstances favorable to a murder would never have materialised. And without a murder, Inspector Meredith would never have heard of the Children of Osiris. As it was, he always considered it to be one of the most interesting, bizarre, and exacting of all his cases.

THE BLURB: Welworth Garden City in the 1940s is a forward-thinking town where free spirits find a home - vegetarians, socialists, and an array of exotic religious groups. Chief among these are the Children of Osiris, led by the eccentric High Prophet, Eustace K. Mildmann. The cult is a seething hotbed of petty resentment, jealousy and dark secrets - which eventually lead to murder. The stage is set for one of Inspector Meredith's most bizarre and exacting cases.

MY THOUGHTS: I have read and enjoyed two of John Bude's previous novels, the very first novel he wrote in 1935, The Cornish Coast Murders, and the first of his Inspector Meredith novels, The Lake District Murder.

Although Death Makes a Prophet is the 11th in the series, don't feel you need to read the back books. Unlike the detectives in our modern novels, we learn little, if anything, about Meredith's private life. The focus is entirely upon the events leading up to the crime, the crime itself, and the steps taken to solve it.

Bude is an author from the 'Golden Age' of detectives who is guaranteed to provide you with a reliable and atmospheric read. In Death Makes a Prophet, Bude gives rein to his sense of humour, providing the reader with a few chuckles along the way, but never does he overstep the mark, as some authors do, into stupidity.

Bude's descriptions of both his characters and the scenery are delightful, e.g. Irish, tough, blue-eyed, broad humorous mouth, and a lilt in his voice that would have made poetry of the telephone directory.

John Bude wrote more than 30 detective novels, and I look forward to reading more of them.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of Death Makes a Prophet by John Bude. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

[Anissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a hot mess little hamlet Welworth Garden City turned out to be. So much blackmail and attempted blackmail would have to lead to a murder or several, I suppose. 

The secrets of some members of the Cult of Coo (or Children of Osiris) take some unsavoury turns and the reader is presented with lies, theft, family discord, lust, malice, greed, blackmail (several times over) and ultimately, murder. It's quite a knot to unfurl for Inspector Meredith. As the initial murder doesn't happen until just past the 50% mark, Meredith enters late as well. Then it's mostly procedural with a lot of assumptions restated (not to the best effect) with some very interesting twists and turns.

The reader is aware of some things Meredith wasn't so it was a bit annoying. For example, Meredith is sure one of the victims was put up to blackmail and coerced by another, ostensibly for no other reason than she was a very pretty woman. He repeats this often throughout his investigation. In actuality, she happened to be the originator of one of the blackmail plots through no other impetus than her own comfort and advancement. I experienced this in The Sussex Downs Murder with Meredith and a female character there. It's seemingly a recurring blind spot for him which I think holds him back in both investigations as he misses possibilities that could aid his insight. Then again, no one is perfect. 

I found the characters pretty well done and memorable. Mrs. Hagge-Smith, Peta Penpeti, Penelope Parker and Miss Minnbell. In this pit of vipers, there were even some I liked. Sid Arkwright, Terence Mildmann and Denise most especially. Sid for his loyalty to his employer Eustace Mildmann. He just wanted to help and protect and even owned up to his own dishonesty. Terence Mildmann simply for being sympathetic as the completely cowed and frustrated son of Eustace who just wanted to have a meal with meat and date the lovely secretary, Denise. And Denise for being kind to Terence and going to Meredith to clear his name. Honourable mention to Hansford Boot, who had a true conversion at the Children of Osiris (I had to pull for a reformed underdog) and Mrs. Summers (who was also kind to Terence). 

The ending was tidy but abrupt with Meredith laying out all the details of the murderer with intel from a source the reader wasn't prior privy to. What I found almost unforgivable is that readers don't get to see the murderer arrested and how the truth of what happens ripples throughout the Children of Osiris. I imagine Mrs. Hagge-Smith as the Prophetess of Coo ultimately but I'd have wanted to read about it.

I should also mention this book does feature some racial slurs & anti-semitism. As ever, they shocked me right out of the story. A blemish in an otherwise well-told tale. I have read quite a few of these novels from the time (and surely will continue with the British Library Crime Classics reissues) but these instances don't appear so often that I expect them as a matter of course (they didn't pop up at all in the other three Inspector Meredith novels I've read). I hope that I never do and I will continue believing that these things were reprehensible and noticeable even to some who read them at the time they were written (because they were never okay or invisible to everyone).

Recommended.

A few favourite quotes:

"A very high percentage of the Welworth élite are not only vegetarians, but non-smokers, non-drinkers and non-pretty-well-everything-that-makes-life-worth-living for less high-minded citizens."

"It may be Theosophy or Babaism; it may be Seventh Day Adventism, Christian Science, Pantheism or what you will—but in a naughty world full of atheists and agnostics, Welworth is a refreshing centre of spiritual élan and a complete refutation of the theory that sectarianism in this country is on the wane. It is claimed (with all due deference to Mr. Heinz) that there are fifty-seven varieties of religion in Welworth."

"He sensed his peril at once. He was up against a woman possessed of that awful virtue, “a strong personality”. But his long professional experience had bred in him an almost superhuman tolerance in dealing with voluble female witnesses. He refused to be overwhelmed by this momentous avalanche of words. After all, amid all this verbal chaff, might there not be concealed a few grains of wheat?" 

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

You wouldn’t expect a novel issued in 1947 to be such a page-turner! Granted, I am a diehard fan of author John Bude and his detective, Superintendent William Meredith; however, here’s the greatest testimonial I can give. Meredith doesn’t even show up until halfway through the book, and I didn’t care! I still couldn’t put it down! Such a delay is usually the kiss of death (e.g., Georges Simenon’s The Dancer at the Gai-Moulin and Agatha Christie’s novels that delay the appearance of Hercules Poirot).

The first half is a satiric look at addlepated cults, which show up in England as well as the United States. A dithering fellow named Eustace K. Mildmann (who lives up to his name) founds a religion that embraces the Egyptian gods as well as vegetarianism and temperance. Somehow Mildmann’s cockamamie religion, called the Children of Osiris (COO), attracts Alicia Hagge-Smith whose forcefulness is only matched by her funds; she spends freely enough to attract 10,000 followers to Coo-ism, as it’s known. While not laugh-out-loud funny, the depiction was pretty amusing!

But just as the Garden of Eden had its serpent, so does the Children of Osiris: one Peta Penpeti, a swarthy bearded fellow with a fez who claims to be the reincarnation of an Egyptian priest from Thebes. Early on, it’s revealed he’s something to hide. But what? And are there other nefarious goings-on in Coo-ism? Like me, readers will devour this novel to find out!

In the spirit of full disclosure, I received this book free from NetGalley, Poison Pen Press, and British Library Publishing in return for an honest review. And I especially thank them for reissuing John Bude’s wonderful and woefully overlooked novels.

[Judy Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the digital galley of this novel.

Within the past two years I have discovered a number of books reissued through the British Library Crime Classics program. These are classic crime fiction novels which have fallen out of print for a variety of reasons but which are being enjoyed again by a new readership. This is the third novel I've read in this group featuring John Bude's work. This one was originally published in 1947 and differs quite a bit from the other Bude works I've read because of the light feel for this one. Bude included a lot of humor, especially in the first half of the book, which was okay for me but I did want the story to move on in a more serious direction. The series detective Bude used often is Inspector Meredith of Scotland Yard and his presence in the last half of the book puts a damper on some of the lightness of tone. I suppose it had to when the body count began to rise.

The plot of this story centers around the believers in the religious teachings of Cooism, the Children of Osiris, founded by Eustace Mildmann in the Garden City of Welworth which didn't even exist 30 years previously. The cult's most wealthy sponsor, The Honorable Mrs. Hagge-Smith, proposes a summer convocation of Cooists on the grounds of her estate. Mildmann seems to be losing control of his own religion with someone else wanting the position of Head Prophet. Could there be trouble among the Children of Osiris? Well, naturally.

I have to admit to thinking about abandoning ship during the first half of the book because it was being much too "punny" and cute. Luckily I stayed with it until the story became more serious, but even then the Scotland Yard detective did lots of smiling, laughing and chuckling. I've found a lot to like along the lines of classic crime fiction by John Bude, but I think I will probably approach any other books by him after doing as much research as I can. One humorous murder story was okay, in fact I eventually became fully involved with this book, but I don't think I want to read one like this again. I tend to take mystery novels rather seriously.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed reading this. ‘Death Makes A Prophet’ has to be my number one British Library Crime Classic, it’s entertaining, witty, full of human observation and of course, there’s a good mystery too!

Our setting in Welworth Garden City, home to the cult of Coo. It’s a trendy new town, full of trendy people living fashionable lives in their mock-Tudor, mock- Italian, mock-Georgian homes

“A very high percentage of the Welworth elite are not only vegetarians, but non-smokers, non-drinkers and non-pretty-much-anything-that-makes-life-worth-living…”

I really enjoyed the look at Welworth life and John Bude’s observations of its inhabitants. Garden Cities were fairly new at the time this was written, so it’s interesting to see an author’s view of these new towns and the people who live there. My imagination took me to Letchworth Garden City, due to the similarity in name and because it’s near where I live, I’ve often admired the buildings and general look of the town.

The focus of the tale is on the highest-ranking members of Coo, it’s founder and High Prophet, Eustace, it’s rich benefactor Mrs Hagge-Smith and Prophet-in-Waiting, Peta Penpeti who “wears his fez at a jaunty angel.” There is to be a Children of Osiris summer convention in the grounds of Mrs Hagge-Smith’s country manor and of course, there could be no greater setting for murder!

The murder doesn’t actually occur until half way through the book but with the first half, John Bude has painted such a detailed and descriptive picture of our characters that by the time the double murder happens, we know the ins and outs of Welworth life and of the Coo members. I like crime novels written this way, you feel like you know everybody and it makes you feel a part of the mystery.

Nefarious schemes, red herrings, suspicious characters, witty writing and a cult gathering are all elements that create a fantastic read. ‘Death Makes A Prophet’ made me chuckle a lot and every page was a pleasure to read.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s no getting away from this series lately. It seems quite a lot of people are talking about it and I’m not immune to a bit of FOMO. On top of that, these covers are so pretty that they’ll look magnificent on any bookshelf so yes, the cover love won big time in this case and I bought five of these in one go. I’m not sorry. The lovely Emma at Emma’s Bookish Corner suggested I start with Death Makes a Prophet and so my journey through the British Library Crime Classics began.

Set in the town of Welworth Garden City, the shenanigans of the residents were reminiscent of an episode of Midsomer Murders, which I absolutely adore. Chief among these are the members of the Children of Osiris, a cult also known as Coo. But life in the cult isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. There’s an abundance of jealousy and rivalry, secrets and people pretending to be someone they’re not. And then there’s a murder.

Considering this story was first published in 1947, it has stood the test of time remarkably well. While I was worried I might find it a tad too old-fashioned, I actually found the change of pace incredibly refreshing and the setting absolutely delightful. It took me a while to get used to the writing style but I soon found myself completely engrossed.

It takes a while for the murder to happen and for Inspector Meredith to arrive on the scene but that didn’t bother me one bit. I thoroughly enjoyed the time the author spent on getting the reader acquainted with the cast of quirky and eccentric, yet quite realistic characters. The investigation into the murder is complex and highly interesting, with some twists I didn’t see coming. Every time I thought I had the whole thing figured out, the author very deftly guided me towards a dead end and I ended up suspecting everyone.

I thoroughly enjoyed this foray into the British Crime Classics and I very much look forward to my next read in this collection.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provided a distraction I didn't know I would need when I started it. I thought Cooism sounded like it would provide me with some comedy, and indeed it did.
Book from 1947 apparently, and again featuring the thinking cap of Inspector Meredith. First we get to know the main characters, leaders of this religion of ancient origins and soon learn that many have their own selfish gains in mind over the welfare of their potential converts. Power struggles, blackmail and other shenanigans provide quite a few chuckles until there is a murder.
I was concentrating on a tedious power struggle when I found a seat on the train and prepared myself for a journey when the yelling began. A passenger got into a tussle over wearing a mask, still required on our mass transit here. The loud, strident complaints continued for 45 minutes when I gave it up and left the train to come back home. Two police departments were called in and still he would not stop his refusals to leave the train. Of course the train could not leave even though it was loaded with passengers. I think I may have enjoyed the silliness of the book more in a peaceful setting. I think this makes two books for me from this author and I may not revisit.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Death Makes a Prophet" is a mystery novel that was originally published in 1947 and is set in England. The first half of the book followed the events leading up to the murder, showing who had a motive. We don't see the murder. In the second half of the book, Inspector Meredith was called in and methodically, carefully pursued answers to this puzzling case. There were plenty of clues, but Meredith had difficulties forming a logical scenario from them.

Meredith uncovered clues that we already knew and, at the end, some critical clues that he didn't share until the big reveal. I did correctly guess whodunit, but how it was done was the surprise. I liked Meredith and his helper. There were no sex scenes. There was a fair amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Mary Ronan Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

1949 mystery about a cult and who will get to run it now that a major figure is dead.

[Tonstant Weader · Rating 3 out of 5]

By the second paragraph of Death Makes a Prophet I had turned back to check the copyright date just to make sure it was really published in 1947 England and not 2017 Portlandia. It made me laugh out loud recognizing our local prototype in this description, “A very high percentage of the Welworth élite are not only vegetarians, but non-smokers, non-drinkers and non-pretty-well-everything-that-makes-life-worth-living for less high-minded citizens. They weave their own cloth, knit their own jumpers and go their own ways with that recherché look common to all who have espoused the Higher Life. Many favour shorts and open-work sandals.” If only they had Birkenstocks. Of course, Portlanders are drinkers, but if microbrews had been the thing in 1947, perhaps the Welworthies would have been drinkers, too.

This sets the tone for much of the book, a bit of gentle mocking humor from the narrator’s point of view, healthily skeptical of the Children of Osiris religious sect, the religion of Cooism…and that word alone should clue you into how this book will have great fun poking at the credulous cultists of COO.

Of course, it’s a murder mystery, but the first half of the book sets the stage, introduces the characters, their conflicts and conspiracies. It’s pretty clear someone is going to be murdered, but exactly who is still up for grabs until, surprisingly, two are killed in an apparent murder-suicide. And so, it’s not until we’re halfway through that the unflappable Inspector Meredith shows up to solve the case by interviewing people and taking long walks to think.



I have mixed feelings about Death Makes a Prophet though overall it is an enjoyable enough procedural. It is fair, even though at the end, Meredith gets some test results on evidence and has an interview and a report from France that all we get to see are Meredith’s “aha’s”, nods, and smiles. Usually, that kind of thing irritates me, but enough other clues are provided that while we while the specific information is absent, we know the kind of information he was seeking. It really is a clever plot that murderer came up with and very nearly successful.

I enjoyed the humor, even though, or maybe because, it was a bit contemptuous of those seeking a different road to meaning. However, it really showed its age when the narrator, not a character, used an expression that is long out of favor because it uses a racist epithet to express an unexpected turn of events in a woodpile. This presents a dilemma, I think, for publishers who reprint long out-of-print books like this. After all, John Bude was a nice, agreeable, kind man. If he were writing today, he would never use that expression and would say something like “fly in the ointment” or “had he but known” or some other way of expressing an unexpected turn.

The use of the epithet in the narrative, so not essential to denote any character’s racism so it’s not like Mark Twain’s use. I think it should be edited to a less offensive term because I think Bude himself would edit it if he were alive to do it. After all, why should some African American reader who picks up this book get slammed in the face with the insult? It’s different if there is an expectation created by the subject matter, the characters, the setting, but this book has nothing to signal that they will spring this word on readers. I have seen a friend break down in tears when assaulted by this word, so why keep it in a book when it has no story purpose? In 1947, people spoke and wrote differently than they do now, but some of those old expressions do not need to be retained. It is not more authentically 1947 and editing is part of a publisher’s job.

I don’t want to make too much of this. It didn’t “ruin” the book for me, though it dampened my pleasure in it. It is a dilemma and I can understand the idea of reprinting exactly as it was written will have its defenders, but I think we should ask ourselves what this man who has been lauded as a kindly and lovely man would do if he were editing it today.

I received an e-galley of Death Makes a Prophet from the publisher through Poisoned Pen Press.

Death Makes a Prophet at Poisoned Pen Press
John Bude/Ernest Elmore at Wikipedia


https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death Makes A Prophet (British Library Crime Classics) by author John Bude. The book is set circa 1940’s in the Garden City of Welworth. This book is a light and cozy mystery about contention within a religious cult, the Children of Osiris, which follows the doctrines of the Cult of Coo, or Cooism. When you have a community of people who favor the beliefs of the ancient Egyptian gods, you have a mixing pot recipe for power, and deceit…all the ingredients for a murder!
Although I enjoy mysteries set in quaint places and in a former era of time, this story plot seemed a bit slow. There are scenes which were interesting, but a very different pace. I adore the cover art for this book!

[Cyn McDonald · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually like vintage mysteries but this one left me flat. Most of the story involves machinations in the leadership of the Children of Osiris, otherwise known as the Cult of Coo. I found it difficult to believe that such a bizarre organization could have enough followers to justify a summer retreat with a multitude of tents and a whole slate of classes. The murder doesn't happen until late in the book, and while the method was really clever, at that point I didn't care very much.

[Diane Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in 1947, Death Makes a Prophet is one golden age mystery that deserves to find another audience.

The Children of Osiris, or Cooism for short, is a church/cult based on a mishmash of Egyptian gods, astral bodies, meditation and vegetarianism. Its founder, Eustace Mildmann, is the High Prophet. One of Cooism's highest members, Mrs. Hagge-Smith, donates substantial funds to the church including a 5,000 pound annual stipend to the High Prophet. However, she is entranced by the dynamic personality of the Prophet-in-Waiting, Peta Penpeti. So rapt that she creates an additional annual stipend of 500 pounds for him. Penpeti and Hagge-Smith plot a coup on Cooism: hoping to overthrow Mildmann if favor of Penpeti. Several church members remain loyal to Mildmann and tell him of the rebellion. Meanwhile, Terrence, Mildmann's son, is attracted to Mrs. Hagge-Smith's secretary, Denise, but the romance is thwarted by both his father and Mrs. Hagge-Smith.

Death Makes a Prophet is bursting with plots. It is one part Preston & Child and two parts Agatha Christie. The plot synopsis above is only from the first 10% of the book. There is a cauldron of attempted murder, mistaken identity, murder, suicide, theft, sex without benefit of marriage, blackmail and more within the storyline. It is genuinely awesome how all of these disparate puzzle pieces magically transform into a clear picture by the end of the book. Mr. Bude was a master at misdirection and it is a treat to read this book. It kept me guessing until the end. However, the book is best read on a Kindle as some of the words may be unfamiliar to modern audiences (e.g. toper, rissoles, abeyance, paucity, surfeit). Some of the phrases also take a little detective work to figure out. "I'll cut the cackle and come to the goose, eh?” seems to mean I'll get to the point. Some phrases are rather racist and one contains the n-word so sensitive readers may not enjoy this book. However, for all other mystery lovers this book is highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

[Pop Bop · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Odd, But Engaging, Combination of Satire and Murder

Published in 1947, this book has aged gracefully and certainly fits well into that "overlooked classic" category dear to the hearts of murder mystery readers searching for a new author. Bude wrote a fair number of highly regarded mysteries, many centering on the skills of Inspector Meredith of the Yard. That said, though, it is fair to remark that this particular book, with its humorous build up, is a little bit of a one-off lark and not necessarily what one would think of as typical Bude, (at least at the outset).

Bude devotes the first half of the book to setting the scene, frame, and characters, before setting the crime and detection into motion. This first half is amusing, but it has an edgy and sometimes brittle bite to it. The setting is a 1940's Garden City populated by progressive and forward thinking Boho sorts. The main characters are all involved, in one way or another, with a ludicrous Osiris cult playing about at being a religion. Bude's first few pages are a rather withering dismissal of such foolishness, and might strike some readers as a bit of arch overkill. Just as I began to think that this might all be a bit too heavy-handed, though, Bude took his foot off the gas and allowed his characters a little more room to breathe and to be silly or foolish without being contemptible. This lighter touch carried me quite nicely to the halfway point and I didn't mind at all that up to that point no one had been murdered.

But then the book gets down to be a finely plotted mystery. It's not so much a whodunit as a howdunit, and it is in the tracking down and piecing together of all sorts of clues and possibilities that Inspector Meredith shines. Meredith doesn't really have a gimmick or a hook; he's just a competent and observant and clever pro who buckles down and sorts things out. That's a fine way to run an investigation and a fine way to write a good mystery. This was a happy and entertaining find.

(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favourite of Bude's books so far. Inordinately long in getting going with the murder not taking place until around page 150. It moved along nicely after that when Meredith arrived but for me the detection process was far too short.

The saving grace of this story however is the brilliant writing with a very slight touch of wit. The descriptions in the opening chapter of the residents of the new "Garden City" and their lifestyles, diet, pretensions etc. are masterful.

[Sheila Beaumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never read a mystery by John Bude before, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much fun this book, first published in 1947 and recently reissued as a British Library Crime Classic, was. The story is about a bizarre English village cult, the Children of Osiris (or the Cult of Coo, or Cooism), and the author is obviously having great satirical fun in the first half of the story, describing the cult, its eccentric members, and the infighting among them.

The second half of the book introduces Detective Inspector Meredith, who is brought in to solve the murders of two cult members. Here the book turns into a police procedural, leavened by just the right amount of humor. Highly recommended to those who enjoy a solid mystery story that's also a delight to read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eustace K. Mildmann is indeed a mild-mannered man, although he developed the religion The Children of Osiris (or COO) all by himself. Now he has adherents, disciples, wealthy contributors, and even rivals within the ranks of his own religion. When there is a double murder (or could it be murder and suicide? A suicide pact?) Inspector Meredith comes down from Scotland Yard to investigate. This is a really quite delightful addition to the British Library Crime Classics.

[EuroHackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. This story was incredibly complicated, and was not helped by the fact that we followed the actions of about 10 different people with varying degrees of closeness. Sort of like Law & Order: Criminal Intent on steroids. The conclusion was ridiculously convoluted, and there wasn't even the satisfaction of seeing the worst character of them all get his just desserts on page. Not my favorite of these reprinted British Crime Library classics.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr Bude has fun with a more comic plot than the previous books I'd read, with hardly anyone coming out of this with any dignity. There are two different groups of murderous characters, but the main villains lack grit. Once again, it is all very convoluted and solved all too easily without much of the legwork covered. Still a highly enjoyable book. I could imagine it making a good TV show.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one of the better British crime classics that I've read. I'd like to try more by this author.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1940s. The religious group The children of Osiris reside in Walworth Garden City, where there is an attempted murder, theft and blackmail. Then actual deaths.
An entertaining historical mystery
Originally published in 1947

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky crime...

Eustace K Mildmann is the unlikely founder of a new religion based on Egyptian gods, new age mysticism, vegetarianism, short trousers and general silliness. Even more unlikely is that this religion – The Children of Osiris, or Cooism – has attracted thousands of followers, including some of the wealthier residents of Welworth Garden City. Now, however, Eustace’s position as Head Prophet is in danger, with the rise of the charismatic fez-wearing Peta Penpeti, who may (or may not) be the reincarnation of an Egyptian priest. Penpeti has the advantage of appearing exotically foreign, which appeals greatly to the female members of the cult. Poor Eustace risks losing not only control of the cult but also the woman he worships to this usurper. Factions abound, secrets are hidden, rivalries fester. And when the whole cult is invited to take part in a festival in the grounds of the cult’s wealthiest benefactress, Mrs Alicia Hagge-Smith, all this simmering passion leads to murder...

The first half concentrates on describing the cult and its various adherents, and is mildly amusing. But although it goes on for a long time – too long – I never got any real feel either for what the religion was offering its followers, nor why so many people were attracted to it. It seemed to need a heftier suspension of disbelief than I could summon up. The second half becomes more serious after the murder is committed and Bude’s recurring detective, Inspector Meredith, is called in to investigate. The reader is privy to hints about the backgrounds of various characters so to some extent is ahead of the police. The actual murder method is nicely contrived and provides more of a mystery perhaps than the simple question of whodunit.

John Bude is apparently one of the most popular of the “forgotten” authors the British Library has resurrected, but for some reason I never find myself loving his books. They are well written, and this one in particular has a lot of humour around the quack religion and the various eccentric characters who are drawn towards it. But I think it’s that very eccentricity that stopped me from feeling involved – these are characters to laugh at, not to care about. And while I can enjoy a supporting cast of quirky characters, I prefer the central characters to have a greater feeling of realism. Unfortunately, I also find Inspector Meredith a rather bland detective – this is the third book I’ve read in this series and I would find it difficult to give any kind of character sketch of him.

Not one that stood out for me then – in fact, I’ll admit to skim-reading most of the second half because I had pretty much lost interest in the outcome by then. But, since other people clearly enjoy his style more than I, I accept my reaction is clearly subjective. If you like your crime fiction to be laced with humour and especially if you’ve appreciated Bude’s other books, then I expect you would enjoy this one too. Personally, I’ve preferred him when he’s been in more serious mode, but I don’t think I’m ever going to become a die-hard fan.

NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press.

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[Gwen - Chew & Digest Books - · Rating 4 out of 5]

That's it, I was born not only in the wrong era but the wrong country as well. Ok, so there was the Battle of Britain and the whole nightly bombing thing in London, still, the books and authors get me or I get them. Plus-have you seen the styles and heard the music? Awesome.

Moving right along to Death Makes a Prophet, there have always been weird religious cults everywhere and at every time. This time Superintendent Meredith is called to the scene of what looks like a murder-suicide at a cult's mighty posh retreat until one looks deeper. Then there are suspects galore and the proverbial red herring or three.

Inspector Meredith and this book have a lot of dry wit that was so sadly needed postwar, although I don't think that Meredith means to be funny. (Which makes it all the funnier.) Sometimes he seems to be turning in circles and as new clues come in, he has to reshuffle all of his thoughts.

As to characters in this individual mystery, they are some cooky people, even for a post-war British cult. I nearly died laughing with the truth of one statement by the largest donor.
“Had Mr. Mildmann any enemies?” asked Meredith practically. “What a ridiculous question!” exclaimed Mrs. Hagge-Smith. “It’s quite exhausting enough to find out who are one’s own enemies. How can I conceivably give you a list of poor Eustace’s? Hostility is also a matter of degree. Dislike and hatred are poles apart.”

God help you, if you have that many enemies!

Anyway, this was my first introduction to John Bude and Inspector Meredith and I'll be trying to find the rest of the series. It's also the fourth in the series that I've read from the British Museum/ Poisoned Pen re-release of British detective fiction from the Golden Era and the thrid that knock it out of the park so far. If you like the more traditional and less gory mysteries, you need to check these out.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advance copy of Death Makes a Prophet, a police procedural featuring Inspector Meredith of "The Yard", originally published in 1947.

All is not well in the Children of Osiris, or Coo as they prefer to be known, sect. It is a hotbed of passion, unscrupulous ambition, scheming and hidden secrets. So much so that when a murder occurs Inspector Meredith finds himself with a knotty problem and a plethora of suspects.

I thoroughly enjoyed Death Makes a Prophet. It is a novel of two halves with the first setting the scene and the second covering the investigation. The scene setting is great and highly amusing. Mr Bude has great fun with the members and their foibles, if it weren't for the fact that he was writing in the 40s you would think he was describing members of a hippy movement with their religious beliefs, vegetarianism and trances but without the free love and drugs. The investigation is more serious with Inspector Meredith stumped as none of his scenarios fit (and he muses over several) until another incident sets him on the right path.

The novel is much as you would expect from the era. A convoluted plot with a smart but almost invisible detective to unravel it, a good explanation of the crime at the end and some unusual characters to people it. The forensics are basic and it never ceases to amaze me how quickly they get their results but it's interesting to see them in development.

I have no hesitation in recommending Death Makes a Prophet as a good read, not least for the apt, punning title.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC.

This is the sixth John Bude I have read in the BLCC series and it is the most entertaining so far. I admit that I had hesitated before deciding to read it as I am not overly fond of detective novels and stories involving religious cults. However, my fears were dispelled after a page or two.

The first half of the novel is taken up with scene-setting: the Garden City at the centre of the cult, the Children of Osiris (“Cooism”), and the main officials and adherents are all amusingly depicted and vividly brought to life.

The principal members of the Cult of Coo, Eustace Mildmann, the founder, his son Terence, his benefactor, Mrs. Hagge-Smith, his housekeeper, Mrs Summers, the Prophet-in- Waiting, Peta Penpeti, and members of the Inmost Temple, Penelope Parker and Hansford Boot, are nicely portrayed, with all their failings and foibles displayed.

In the second half we have the various murders, and a suicide, which give rise to Detective Inspector Meredith’s investigation. At the end Meredith sums up the case very succinctly.

I did correctly identify the main murderer but the “how-dunnit” eluded me. I thought the solution was ingenious, if not completely original.

This is an excellent read and very fresh for a book first published seventy years ago. It comes with a brief Introduction by Martin Edwards, setting the book in context and giving some biographical information.

[Luke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't love this novel, but I also didn't hate anything in particular about it - which i think is part of the problem; I didn't really feel anything about it. The characters weren't particularly interesting or likeable, the story at times messy and flat, and the detective present in the events for not nearly enough time. I was also left a little frustrated by the novels conclusion. The success of a crime story, in particular a murder mystery, often hinges on its revelatory ending. The frustration that persists in this particular instance is that the truth of the murder is obvious to the reader for much of the novel. Most of the so-called 'revelations' that the detective makes have already been presented to the reader in some prior form, and from the information that we've already gleamed, we can make a pretty well-informed guess as to where the story is headed. Perhaps it was just me, but it ruined the surprise element for me. There are things to enjoy here, however. At times, Bude is able to lighten the mood with comic relief, though most of the time it falls a little flat or is a little cringe. It's not difficult to get through, and Bude is a competent enough writer to really inject life in his setting. It's really not the worst book in the world, but it's not one I'll keep in my memory long.

[Homerun2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent vintage mystery republished by Poison Pen as part of the British Library Crime Classics. Originally published in the mid-1940's and featuring series character Superintendent Meredith.

This entry was a delight to read. Light-hearted but intricately plotted. The author had some fun with the world of cult religion by spotlighting the doctrine of the Cult of Coo, complete with High Priests, ancient Egyptian references and states of "non-being."

Meredith does not come on the scene until halfway through the book, but the stage setting and ensemble of well-drawn and amusingly odd characters is thoroughly entertaining.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Squeak2017 · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only mystery in this book is how it came to be considered a classic of Golden Age detective fiction. Half of the novel is exposition as the author smugly mocks the earnest sandal-wearing vegetarian cranks for which (thinly disguised) Letchworth Garden City is famed. It’s neither witty nor well written and entirely plot-free till a rush of activity half way through.

The murders, when they finally took place, were competently plotted and the mystery was diligently unravelled but I don’t think this author is as clever as he thinks he is. Plenty of characters wearing disguises and the confusing of identities meant the final denouement was well flagged in advance.

[Jay Maxfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 1947 John Bude novel really made me laugh at the humour and ingenuity that the author showed at creating an archetypal cult/religion - Cooism (the invented religious sect) which is everything that you imagine it should be - with all the weird beliefs and intricacies that go with religion in general. The personalities and relationships between the characters are lovingly padded out - no wooden characters here! Bude, obviously spent a great deal of time on this part of the book (the first 60%) or knew of a cult that fit the bill. The next 40% of the novel is all about Inspector Meredith's investigation and denouement - this is where Bude fell flat in my opinion. Inspector Meredith like other reviewers have said is very much a cardboard character with no obvious personality and rather boring in this novel. He forgets to undertake even the most basic detective checks e.g. fingerprints from the ashtray on his first look at the crime scene or background checks on the victims or any of the principle players in the story e.g. Penelope Parker & Peta Penpeti. The actual investigation was very repetitive going over the same facts (many of them assumed) which was made even worse by the fact that much of the solution and elimination of suspects where just handed to him on a plate e.g. where a man shot another man by mistake and then committed suicide - one of the men left a full confession. Another matter of coincidence was where a local man saw a car parked where he didn't expect one and not only remember the make of the car but also the registration as well - Bude made it as easy as possible for Meredith. The denouement is highly convoluted and the solution given would involve so much chance that the possibility of it happening is unlikely - which annoyed me greatly as I had enjoyed the first part of the book immensely. All in all the later part of the book destroyed my enjoyment of this novel and therefore I would only give the book 6 out of 10. If you are new to John Bude then I would recommend The Sussex Downs Murder followed by The Cornish Murder as much better reads than this novel.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like John Bude's crime novels as he usually has good characters, realistic settings and a nice sense of humour - Death Makes a Prophet was no exception.

The aptly-named Eustace Mildmann forms his own religion and becomes the High Priest of Coo. All might have gone well had not the wealthy and domineering Mrs Hagge-Smith decided to adopt coo-ism. Any devotee of crime fiction will know that her 'vision' of gathering all the adherents of Coo together at her country estate will end in disaster!

Although the first murder doesn't take place until half-way through the novel, there is so much going on that I didn't find myself becoming impatient, especially as Bude keeps us guessing as to who will actually be bumped off. And when it finally takes place, there is still some doubt as to whether the person who died was actually the intended victim, which causes still more confusion. Superintendent Meredith becomes increasingly frustrated as every theory he propounds is destroyed by a different piece of the evidence, leaving him with a seemingly impossible-to-solve crime.

I did guess the 'how' of the crime fairly early on, but I wasn't sure of the 'who' until the end. Bude conceals a couple of key facts from us, chiefly because revealing them would have made the murderer obvious. However, while his final solution is satisfactory, I do feel that he skates perilously close to breaking the Golden Age 'rules' for detective stories.

The only entirely negative aspect of this book is the occasional use of derogatory slang words for other nationalities. I understand why the editors have chosen to leave such words in the Crime Classic novels (out of a desire not to rewrite history and to make us aware that this was how people behaved in that era), but it does make me wince every time I encounter one. I can't help wondering how it must feel to read for someone who is of the same background as the character being described.