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Chief Inspector Littlejohn #43
Intruder in the Dark
In the strange, nearly-deserted village of Plumpton Bois, Mr Cyril Savage inherits the home of his wealthy and estranged Aunt. But before Savage has the chance to discover her fortune, he is struck dead in the cellar of this once grand country house.
The police are baffled and, unable to unearth a motive – let alone a killer, call for the assistance of Scotland Yard. Inspector Littlejohn and Inspector Cromwell arrive in Plumpton Bois and find the village, the family, and the house itself full of secrets.
The door to a locked room has been bashed open, Savage’s aunt is not nearly as rich as she seemed to be, and now another body has turned up on Littlejohn’s watch…
Intruder in the Dark was first published in 1966.
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 police are baffled and, unable to unearth a motive – let alone a killer, call for the assistance of Scotland Yard. Inspector Littlejohn and Inspector Cromwell arrive in Plumpton Bois and find the village, the family, and the house itself full of secrets.
The door to a locked room has been bashed open, Savage’s aunt is not nearly as rich as she seemed to be, and now another body has turned up on Littlejohn’s watch…
Intruder in the Dark was first published in 1966.
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
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1966
134 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
George Bellairs
73 books100 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 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 24, 2023
Another excellent Littlejohn mystery, this time set in an old mining village where there are the usual string of oddball locals and mysterious yokels.
A murder occurs in an empty house, on a quiet lane and everyone assumes it's a vagrant but once Littlejohn and Cromwell arrive the veneer begins to come away from the village of Plumpton Bois and more than one person falls under suspicion.
George Bellairs really does write good detective novels.
A murder occurs in an empty house, on a quiet lane and everyone assumes it's a vagrant but once Littlejohn and Cromwell arrive the veneer begins to come away from the village of Plumpton Bois and more than one person falls under suspicion.
George Bellairs really does write good detective novels.
February 5, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Ipso Books for a review copy of Intruder In The Dark, a police procedural featuring Chief Superintendent Littlejohn originally published in 1966.
Cyril Savage is murdered when visiting the house he inherited from his estranged great aunt Melody Johnson. The local police suspect a vagrant but the Chief Constable thinks there is more to it and calls in Scotland Yard in the form of Chief Superintendent Littlejohn and Inspector Cromwell. It turns out the Chief Constable is right.
Intruder In The Dark is a gem of a novel and just what I like. It is a well written, clever and, at points, amusing police procedural told entirely from the investigative point of view in a linear and logical manner. The plot starts from the premise that everyone is a suspect but as they delve into Melody's past and more information becomes available they begin to narrow the field. Who knew there could be so many secrets and bad behaviour in one small village? It's gripping stuff as more and more secrets are uncovered.
Strangely there is little character development of the detectives but the portrayal of the odd and downright strange inhabitants of Plumpton Bois more than makes up for it. Mr Bellairs also has a keen, observational eye for the foibles and tics of human nature and I caught myself a few times thinking "how apt".
The novel was written over 50 years ago so some of the language and attitudes are now deemed inappropriate but are interesting as a reflection of the times and as a measure of how society, if not human nature, has changed.
Intruder In The Dark is a fairly short but focused novel which I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to anyone looking for a good, old fashioned whodunit.
Cyril Savage is murdered when visiting the house he inherited from his estranged great aunt Melody Johnson. The local police suspect a vagrant but the Chief Constable thinks there is more to it and calls in Scotland Yard in the form of Chief Superintendent Littlejohn and Inspector Cromwell. It turns out the Chief Constable is right.
Intruder In The Dark is a gem of a novel and just what I like. It is a well written, clever and, at points, amusing police procedural told entirely from the investigative point of view in a linear and logical manner. The plot starts from the premise that everyone is a suspect but as they delve into Melody's past and more information becomes available they begin to narrow the field. Who knew there could be so many secrets and bad behaviour in one small village? It's gripping stuff as more and more secrets are uncovered.
Strangely there is little character development of the detectives but the portrayal of the odd and downright strange inhabitants of Plumpton Bois more than makes up for it. Mr Bellairs also has a keen, observational eye for the foibles and tics of human nature and I caught myself a few times thinking "how apt".
The novel was written over 50 years ago so some of the language and attitudes are now deemed inappropriate but are interesting as a reflection of the times and as a measure of how society, if not human nature, has changed.
Intruder In The Dark is a fairly short but focused novel which I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to anyone looking for a good, old fashioned whodunit.
March 17, 2023
Another classic outing for Littlejohn and Cromwell set in the English countryside. One of the best of Bellairs's later offerings. Lots of good detection with quirky characters and situations all described in his brilliant and witty style.
Excellent and highly recommended to lovers of Classic British Police Procedurals.
Excellent and highly recommended to lovers of Classic British Police Procedurals.
April 12, 2020
I’m getting to like George Bellairs’ books. They are classic crime novels with enough character development and delineation to keep this reader engaged. Bellairs avoids stereotypes, while historical assumptions occasionally bring a smile. The plot is plausible and the puzzle well created . I’m pleased to have read this one.
January 19, 2017
Another very well done vintage detective story.
Yet again we have a typical Bellaire story. A good plot, well organised, and not immediately obvious. Some delightful turns of phrase although I could have done with a little less descriptive frenzy about some of the characters. Nonetheless worthwhile.
Yet again we have a typical Bellaire story. A good plot, well organised, and not immediately obvious. Some delightful turns of phrase although I could have done with a little less descriptive frenzy about some of the characters. Nonetheless worthwhile.
September 23, 2022
A well-plotted Littlejohn mystery. Littlejohn and Cromwell are called to the small town of Plumpton Bois after a man is found dead in house owned by a distant relative of his. They spend much of the novel tracing the history of numerous people in the town, assuming that the murder lies in things that happened in the past. Nicely atmospheric.
February 13, 2017
4 stars
Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Savage drive to the village of Plumpton Bois to see the house that Mr. Savage has inherited for the first time from his aunt, Miss Melody Johnson. At one time, the village was busy with people, but now it seems almost deserted.
Mr. Savage is an intemperate man, impatient and easy to anger. He becomes frustrated at not being able to open a door in the house and breaks the lock. As he opens the door, he is hit in the head and killed.
Locals about the village disagree about who killed him. Some feel it was an intruder, but the police think it is something in Miss Johnson’s past. They call in Superintendent Littlejohn and Inspector Cromwell to investigate. As they start digging into the elderly lady’s past, they find some very interesting things. And in the basement of the house, near where Savage was killed, they find a locked but empty safe.
They interview several witnesses and acquaintances of Miss Johnson with some good results. As they piece together the clues and follow the trail, Littlejohn and Cromwell set a trap for the killer. When captured, they explain carefully to the killer just how it came to be that he was determined to be guilty.
This is a very well written novel. Although, we as readers do not learn a great deal about Littlejohn and Cromwell, we get to know the “suspects” in the case quite well. It could well be that more information was given about the two detectives in previous books in the series.
These classics of the British mystery genre will live forever. I will certainly read more of the Littlejohn and Cromwell series.
I want to send to Netgalley and Ipso Books a thank you for forwarding to me a copy of this most well written book to read.
Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Savage drive to the village of Plumpton Bois to see the house that Mr. Savage has inherited for the first time from his aunt, Miss Melody Johnson. At one time, the village was busy with people, but now it seems almost deserted.
Mr. Savage is an intemperate man, impatient and easy to anger. He becomes frustrated at not being able to open a door in the house and breaks the lock. As he opens the door, he is hit in the head and killed.
Locals about the village disagree about who killed him. Some feel it was an intruder, but the police think it is something in Miss Johnson’s past. They call in Superintendent Littlejohn and Inspector Cromwell to investigate. As they start digging into the elderly lady’s past, they find some very interesting things. And in the basement of the house, near where Savage was killed, they find a locked but empty safe.
They interview several witnesses and acquaintances of Miss Johnson with some good results. As they piece together the clues and follow the trail, Littlejohn and Cromwell set a trap for the killer. When captured, they explain carefully to the killer just how it came to be that he was determined to be guilty.
This is a very well written novel. Although, we as readers do not learn a great deal about Littlejohn and Cromwell, we get to know the “suspects” in the case quite well. It could well be that more information was given about the two detectives in previous books in the series.
These classics of the British mystery genre will live forever. I will certainly read more of the Littlejohn and Cromwell series.
I want to send to Netgalley and Ipso Books a thank you for forwarding to me a copy of this most well written book to read.
January 24, 2018
What a pleasure to be offered a digital copy of “Intruder in the Dark” by George Bellairs by Crime Classics in return for an honest review. This is the third of this rather neglected author’s great detective novels I’ve read and I’ve become a fan. To me he rates on a par with Agarha Christie or Marjory Allingham any day but hasn’t had their continued exposure. His books don’t pretend to be anything more than pure entertainment but are so well written. They feature Inspector Littlejohn,( Chief Inspector and then Superintendent ) and his side kick Sear gent (Inspector) Cromwell who are attached to Scotland Yard and are called to different parts of the country when a crime, usually murder, becomes too serious for the local force to handle.. This author specialises in sharp, concise descriptions, bringing a character instantly to life. And he doesn’t fall into the class trap of so many writers of this period.. Rich or poor all get the same amount of attention and respect from his pen. Those of us who have reached a certain age will remember characters, situations and even a village shop like these from their youth .It’s delightful to read of a way of life that’s now passed but was real in my post war childhood. Life seemed more leisurely but it probably wasn’t. Instant communication has so many benefits but brings a lot of stress.
The action of the story centres on Superintendent Littlejohn and Inspector Cromwell’s efforts at unravelling the mystery, this time the murder of a rather unlikable bank clerk, when he comes to inspect his run down inherited house in a now much depopulated village. The local police are apparently covering all the boring ground work of the case and little reference is made to this. The reader isn’t bothered with it. I’ve seen George Bellairs referred to as having created the British Maigret with which I would tend to agree. He creates highly enjoyable cerable puzzles full of atmosphere of the time, but considering their date, very modern. It’s a joy to read such well written English. Thankfully I have a couple more of these books on my Kindle.
The action of the story centres on Superintendent Littlejohn and Inspector Cromwell’s efforts at unravelling the mystery, this time the murder of a rather unlikable bank clerk, when he comes to inspect his run down inherited house in a now much depopulated village. The local police are apparently covering all the boring ground work of the case and little reference is made to this. The reader isn’t bothered with it. I’ve seen George Bellairs referred to as having created the British Maigret with which I would tend to agree. He creates highly enjoyable cerable puzzles full of atmosphere of the time, but considering their date, very modern. It’s a joy to read such well written English. Thankfully I have a couple more of these books on my Kindle.
January 10, 2018
George Bellaire is good on his descriptions of both characters and place but I have two issues with this book. The first is that in this day and age I find the use of the word 'coon' totally unacceptable especially when it could easily be replaced with another word without changing any of the atmosphere of the book. The second issue is I have just read another of his books and I found some of his characters to be quite similar, mainly the lawyer and publican, and also although the locations were different there is a similarity in the sense of place. Maybe it's because the others of his that I have read were set in very different locations I haven't noticed this before.
April 8, 2022
A couple drive to Plumpton Bois to have a quick view of their newly inherited house. They are strangers in town. On looking round the rundown place one of then is killed by someone already hiding there. Why? Who would want to kill a complete stranger? What is special about the house?
As Littlejohn and Cromwell investigate we find the clues branching off in various directions some stretching right back to the past but do the strands actually join up?
Good fun again from Bellairs.
As Littlejohn and Cromwell investigate we find the clues branching off in various directions some stretching right back to the past but do the strands actually join up?
Good fun again from Bellairs.
July 3, 2017
I have now read a dozen Bellairs' books and find them unfailingly interesting.
Littlejohn and Cromwell are good foils yet again and this outing has them involved in a nicely convoluted story of a missing fortune-and a murder or two .Add a cast of eccentric characters in an odd country setting and you have a classic Bellairs situation.
Most enjoyable and entertaining
Littlejohn and Cromwell are good foils yet again and this outing has them involved in a nicely convoluted story of a missing fortune-and a murder or two .Add a cast of eccentric characters in an odd country setting and you have a classic Bellairs situation.
Most enjoyable and entertaining
October 22, 2025
"If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all."
This doleful song describes Cyril Savage's life philosophy. His creator calls him "a tall, spare middle-aged man with a long, serious face, quite devoid of humour." The chip on his shoulder is the size of a giant Sequoia and he has a long list of grievances, starting in infancy. He has NEVER gotten what he deserves, until now.
He and his wife have come to the small village of Plumpton Bois to view the house he was left by his Great-aunt Melody, much to his surprise. He'd tried to ingratiate himself with Melody, hoping for an inheritance, but the elderly woman refused to play. He's hoping the house will be a stately mansion to which he can retire.
It's big, but in very poor condition. Once again, Cyril has been cheated. To make matters worse, someone has been in the house and searched it vigorously, even cutting open the feather mattresses. Cyril's temper is never far from the surface and this insult sends him into a rage, He races from room to room, looking for the guilty party. Then he comes to the cellar door, but it's locked and none of the keys he was given fit the lock.
Enraged, he batters the door with a chair, destroying his own property in his anger at someone else doing so. Typical Cyril behavior and why he's not gotten far in life. He gets the door open and meets the intruder, who kills him with a blow to the head. Exit Cyril.
No one's sorry to see the end of Cyril. The bank is glad to be rid of him several years before he would have retired. His wife inherited enough money to live on comfortably and Cyril had proved a disappointment to her. With his touchy disposition, he can't have been a pleasant person to live with.
Still, a murderer can't be allowed to go free, even if his victim isn't much of a loss. Superintendent Littlejohn and Inspector Cromwell are sent to solve the murder. This involves researching the Johnson family history, which is complicated. There are nephews in town who feel that they should have inherited their aunt's property. There's a crusty old lawyer who doesn't want to give out any information. And there's a doctor whose father had an tale to tell about Miss Melody.
A beauty in her youth, Miss Melody was engaged to one man, but broke the engagement when she fell in love with a married man. A child was born, fathered by one or the other of the men, both now elderly men living in Plumpton Bois and hating each other cordially.
The illegitimate baby was sent to an orphanage and adopted by a childless couple. Fortunately, the orphanage director is willing to divulge information about the adoption.The boy turned out badly, enlisted in the army in WWII under a false name, and died in battle. So HE wasn't the intruder/murderer.
Police investigations are time-consuming and tedious. Every possible rock is turned over. Everyone who might have information (past or present) must be interviewed and their claims evaluated. What everyone wants to know is what happened to the 30,000 pounds Miss Melody's father left to her. That's almost a million dollars in today's money, so it's a question all the relatives want answered.
If we count Miss Melody as the first death and Cyril as the second, their ends are followed by the suicide of a man who can't face the music for his misdeeds. Then his old enemy dies because he was only staying alive to get even with the other man.
Finally, Littlejohn, Cromwell, and the local PC wait in the dark house for the man who's still looking for the loot and who killed Cyril Savage when he was interrupted. As the penalty for murder was hanging at that time, I suppose we should count him as the fifth victim. As BLCC editor Martin Edwards says, you can call Bellairs' mysteries "cozy" but he always has an impressive body count.
In addition to being a fine writer, Bellairs was a friendly man who enjoyed contact with other mystery writers. This book is dedicated to his friend "Francis Iles." That's one of the names Anthony Berkeley Cox wrote under. One of his most famous mysteries "Malice Aforethought" was written under that pen name. Bellairs never achieved the fame of some mystery writers of the Golden Age, but he enjoyed his place in the London Detection Club and the friendship of other writers.
As always, Bellairs makes good use of the setting and fills his book with intriguing characters. I owe a lot to e-publishing, but making Bellairs' books available to me is high on the list.
This doleful song describes Cyril Savage's life philosophy. His creator calls him "a tall, spare middle-aged man with a long, serious face, quite devoid of humour." The chip on his shoulder is the size of a giant Sequoia and he has a long list of grievances, starting in infancy. He has NEVER gotten what he deserves, until now.
He and his wife have come to the small village of Plumpton Bois to view the house he was left by his Great-aunt Melody, much to his surprise. He'd tried to ingratiate himself with Melody, hoping for an inheritance, but the elderly woman refused to play. He's hoping the house will be a stately mansion to which he can retire.
It's big, but in very poor condition. Once again, Cyril has been cheated. To make matters worse, someone has been in the house and searched it vigorously, even cutting open the feather mattresses. Cyril's temper is never far from the surface and this insult sends him into a rage, He races from room to room, looking for the guilty party. Then he comes to the cellar door, but it's locked and none of the keys he was given fit the lock.
Enraged, he batters the door with a chair, destroying his own property in his anger at someone else doing so. Typical Cyril behavior and why he's not gotten far in life. He gets the door open and meets the intruder, who kills him with a blow to the head. Exit Cyril.
No one's sorry to see the end of Cyril. The bank is glad to be rid of him several years before he would have retired. His wife inherited enough money to live on comfortably and Cyril had proved a disappointment to her. With his touchy disposition, he can't have been a pleasant person to live with.
Still, a murderer can't be allowed to go free, even if his victim isn't much of a loss. Superintendent Littlejohn and Inspector Cromwell are sent to solve the murder. This involves researching the Johnson family history, which is complicated. There are nephews in town who feel that they should have inherited their aunt's property. There's a crusty old lawyer who doesn't want to give out any information. And there's a doctor whose father had an tale to tell about Miss Melody.
A beauty in her youth, Miss Melody was engaged to one man, but broke the engagement when she fell in love with a married man. A child was born, fathered by one or the other of the men, both now elderly men living in Plumpton Bois and hating each other cordially.
The illegitimate baby was sent to an orphanage and adopted by a childless couple. Fortunately, the orphanage director is willing to divulge information about the adoption.The boy turned out badly, enlisted in the army in WWII under a false name, and died in battle. So HE wasn't the intruder/murderer.
Police investigations are time-consuming and tedious. Every possible rock is turned over. Everyone who might have information (past or present) must be interviewed and their claims evaluated. What everyone wants to know is what happened to the 30,000 pounds Miss Melody's father left to her. That's almost a million dollars in today's money, so it's a question all the relatives want answered.
If we count Miss Melody as the first death and Cyril as the second, their ends are followed by the suicide of a man who can't face the music for his misdeeds. Then his old enemy dies because he was only staying alive to get even with the other man.
Finally, Littlejohn, Cromwell, and the local PC wait in the dark house for the man who's still looking for the loot and who killed Cyril Savage when he was interrupted. As the penalty for murder was hanging at that time, I suppose we should count him as the fifth victim. As BLCC editor Martin Edwards says, you can call Bellairs' mysteries "cozy" but he always has an impressive body count.
In addition to being a fine writer, Bellairs was a friendly man who enjoyed contact with other mystery writers. This book is dedicated to his friend "Francis Iles." That's one of the names Anthony Berkeley Cox wrote under. One of his most famous mysteries "Malice Aforethought" was written under that pen name. Bellairs never achieved the fame of some mystery writers of the Golden Age, but he enjoyed his place in the London Detection Club and the friendship of other writers.
As always, Bellairs makes good use of the setting and fills his book with intriguing characters. I owe a lot to e-publishing, but making Bellairs' books available to me is high on the list.
June 22, 2017
Another great book by George Bellairs, this time Littlejohn is again teamed up with his able assistant Cromwell and they are called to Plumpton Bois where a Mr Savage is murdered whilst inspecting a home he has just inherited. It is worth noting that there may be something in the water as almost all the local men we meet have got tempers but this does increase the humour that Mr Bellairs is so good at. The twists will keep you guessing till the end and every page will leave you wanting to stay and read the next page keeping you company just like you'd want your friends to stay when you are enjoying a good night, as opposed to a thriller where you have to finish so you can sleep or not as the case may be. This is another of the Littlejohn series which once you have read you could well be gripped and left wanting more which is ok as there are plenty to chose from, this one is set in the sixties and Littlejohn and Cromwell get to enjoy some of the new technology that was becoming available at the time however think it would blow their minds if compared to today's advancements. This is a five star read only because it is not possible to give it anymore.
January 29, 2018
Cyril Savage inherits his estranged aunt's house Johnsons Place. Unfortunately he disturbs a burglar and is killed for his trouble. Superintendent Littlejohn and Inspector Cromwell are called in to investigate. Many of the locals are convinced it was a vagrant but Littlejohn is not convinced. He thinks the answer to the mystery may be from the Johnson family history. Melody Johnson suffered a broken engagement to Dave Hubbard who is back living in the village. She left her money to her lawyer Jeremiah Cunliffe and only the property to Cyril Savage. A safe is found in the basement which when opened by Cunliffe is empty. Several years ago Melody sold all her shares and took her money out of the local bank and had the safe installed. However where has all the money gone? There are lots of strands to the mystery but which of them are relevant to the solving of the murder.
This is the second Littlejohn book I have read and like the first I found it a very well written mystery. It was written in the 60's and 70's but these mysteries have stood the test of time. I have found a new favourite author that knows how to write a good storyline with great dialogue.
This is the second Littlejohn book I have read and like the first I found it a very well written mystery. It was written in the 60's and 70's but these mysteries have stood the test of time. I have found a new favourite author that knows how to write a good storyline with great dialogue.
September 15, 2017
A tidy mystery in which the murder investigation gets briskly underway - a method that allows Mr. Bellairs to get down to the sordid bits of small village life (truly a bugaboo for the Littlejohn mysteries) but also provides us a victim who the reader doesn't know from a can of paint. But is that the point of Mr. Bellairs' novels? The more I read of them, the more I think he embraces fully what other writers sort of dance around; a truly hateful murder victim that the reader is not invested in AT ALL. The better way to see the investigation unfold? Or, in this series' case, the better way in which to lift a rock and watch the bugs scatter. One of the more satisfying reads I've had from this series - a strong recommend.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 14, 2020
A Farm House Mystery
Bellairs created an environment in which each mystery occurs. For this one it's a decaying neighborhood that was once a prosperous and important mining town. Then he created the characters inhabiting that location. For this mystery it's the ancient denizens of that mining town including the long deceased mine owner's daughter, her decrepit lawyer, her former suiter, and the people who keep the town running. Finally he presents the murder which occurs in a surprising way. In this case the heir to the fortune of the mine owner's daughter is murdered as he's exploring the house he inherited after her death. As usual for a Bellairs' mystery this makes for an interesting and enjoyable reading experience.
Bellairs created an environment in which each mystery occurs. For this one it's a decaying neighborhood that was once a prosperous and important mining town. Then he created the characters inhabiting that location. For this mystery it's the ancient denizens of that mining town including the long deceased mine owner's daughter, her decrepit lawyer, her former suiter, and the people who keep the town running. Finally he presents the murder which occurs in a surprising way. In this case the heir to the fortune of the mine owner's daughter is murdered as he's exploring the house he inherited after her death. As usual for a Bellairs' mystery this makes for an interesting and enjoyable reading experience.
May 10, 2018
Книжка порадовала тем, что является ровно тем, на что и претендует.
Классический английский детектив. С антуражем старой Англии, без неожиданностей.
С сюжетом "закрытой комнаты" (не важно, что в данном случае это целая деревня) - все совершенно логично и замкнуто, и при этом угадать
убийцу заранее практически невозможно.
Это ни разу не шедевр, и перечитывать точно не захочется. Но это твердые 5 звезд за предсказуемое качественное чтиво - берешь такую книжку на выходные и получаешь ровно ожидаемое, а не необходимость ее выбросить на первой четверти и вместо расслабленного отдыха за книжкой начинать дергаться искать другую.
Классический английский детектив. С антуражем старой Англии, без неожиданностей.
С сюжетом "закрытой комнаты" (не важно, что в данном случае это целая деревня) - все совершенно логично и замкнуто, и при этом угадать
убийцу заранее практически невозможно.
Это ни разу не шедевр, и перечитывать точно не захочется. Но это твердые 5 звезд за предсказуемое качественное чтиво - берешь такую книжку на выходные и получаешь ровно ожидаемое, а не необходимость ее выбросить на первой четверти и вместо расслабленного отдыха за книжкой начинать дергаться искать другую.
January 10, 2018
Classic British Golden Age mystery. Not quite a cozy, but closer to Miss Marple than Poirot. This is a police procedural that depends more on relationships than forensics. Getting to know local history, gossip and help from the area constable are critical for resolution - but you still get all the clues to figure it out before the end. Charming and great fun!
February 19, 2018
A wonderful golden age mystery. Set in a small British town that has become a week Enders, summer retreat after the close of the lead and silver mines. Great nephew comes to town to check out the house he inherited and gets bopped on the head. Who done it? In comes Littlejohn to find the culprit among the quirky residents. This is my first Bellairs but it won't be my last.
October 11, 2018
Early Bird Book Deal | Better than the earliest section of the series, but not outstanding. | These are difficult to review, because they're all basically just "acceptable". Perfectly happy to read them at a discounted price, but not worth any raves, and they're not differentiated enough from each other too make the reviews different.
July 2, 2020
Good series
I like the lack of suspense and violence in this series. They seem written earlier than they were. This one had a beehive hairdo and a date of 1966 so wa happening after that. I liked this one in particular. I think I like the later written ones better than the earlier ones. He wrote for forty years, from age 40 to eighty, and in approximately 1940 to 1980.
I like the lack of suspense and violence in this series. They seem written earlier than they were. This one had a beehive hairdo and a date of 1966 so wa happening after that. I liked this one in particular. I think I like the later written ones better than the earlier ones. He wrote for forty years, from age 40 to eighty, and in approximately 1940 to 1980.
January 26, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this murder mystery taking place in England. Very well written. Plenty of detail to completely set the scenes, with excellent descriptions to firmly place a good picture in my mind.
I received an Advance Reader Copy from Crime Classics. The opinions are my own.
I received an Advance Reader Copy from Crime Classics. The opinions are my own.
April 20, 2018
Another good atmospheric mystery by George Bellairs. Not his best by any means but good enough for me to enjoy. I still like his books set in the Isle of Man and in southern France, the best. I'm working my way down the list in published date order, so I hope there will be more of them.
December 30, 2018
I have read so many of Bellairs' books lately that they are beginning to run together. The last three I've read didn't seem as interesting as some of his others. Maybe it's time I switched authors for awhile.
August 8, 2023
⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 stars rounded down. A very entertaining story with interesting characters and a nice plot. Littlejohn amd cromwell seem a bit generic though, thet could have done with a bit more personality. I'll be coming back to this series.
March 9, 2019
Interesting. Keep suspecting one character, but how.... Littlejohn figures it out.
May 26, 2020
Excellent read
Great whodunit keeps you guessing till the end I have read a few George Bellaire novels and would recommend them all
Great whodunit keeps you guessing till the end I have read a few George Bellaire novels and would recommend them all
February 14, 2022
A good one.
August 4, 2023
Another Littlejohn ‘in an isolated village’ murder. A little too heavy on the personalities of the locals, most of whom are unpleasant.
April 22, 2024
Great series but somehow not added automatically to Reading Challenge "Read" books?
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