Death on the Agenda

Inspector Henry Tibbett Mystery #3

by Patricia Moyes

Amazingly enough, Henry Tibbett is at work! Crime tends to catch him when he’s on vacation, but this time around Henry’s at a coppers’ conference, an international effort intended to stop drug-smuggling. The conference is in Switzerland (for a Scotland Yard detective, Henry does manage to get around!) and the always sensible Emmy has come along for the parties and the chocolate. It’s a glittering whirl of attractive folks in their best early-1960s attire until one of Henry’s colleagues winds up dead and Henry, of all people, becomes Suspect No. 1.

The reappearance of some characters from Dead Men Don’t Ski, widening both the Tibbetts’ social circle and the circle of suspects.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Procedural, Crime, Adult, British Literature, International

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Moyes was born in Dublin on 19 January 1923 and was educated at Overstone girls' school in Northampton. She joined the WAAF in 1939. In 1946 Peter Ustinov hired her as technical assistant on his film School for Secrets. She became his personal assistant for the next eight years. In 1960 she wrote the screenplay for the film School for Scoundrels starring Ian Carmichael, Terry-Thomas, and Alastair Sim. She married photographer John Moyes in 1951; they divorced in 1959. She later married James Haszard, a linguist at the International Monetary Fund in The Hague. She died at her home on the island of Virgin Gorda (British Virgin Islands) on 2 August 2000.

Her mystery novels feature C.I.D. Inspector Henry Tibbett. One of them, Who Saw Her Die (Many Deadly Returns in the US) was nominated for an Edgar Allan Poe Award in 1971. She also wrote several juveniles and short stories.

Series:
* Inspector Henry Tibbett Mystery

Reviews

[Anissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This installment of the story was good as far as setting and mystery. I enjoyed all that. But for some reason in the back third of the book, Henry goes from finding a woman at the conference he's attending attractive to being sure he loves her and even sneaking off for a rendezvous with her for a day complete with a passionate kiss. It felt very juvenile and melodramatic. Even allowing for his nerves to be jangled and for him to be under extreme stress given that he's the prime suspect in a murder, that the story has him persist in this nonsense after he is exonerated and he gives recitation on events months later is silly. They never even had a conversation that was that deep to give the reader the slimmest thread to hang all this on. That the story has his wife, Emmy, basically shrug and act like she was equally bad for having had lunch out with another man is bizarre. Her lunch being put on par seemed to be trying to level the scales as they then both were taken in by killers. Please. If this is never spoken of again in an otherwise fun series, I will be satisfied to leave it here.

Not the best of the bunch so a 2.5-star read. The setting and murder set-up are very well done, however, so if that's all you care about and can ignore the other part, enjoy.

[Christine PNW · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry, what WERE you thinking?

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspector Henry Tibbett is in Switzerland at an internation conference on drug smuggling. His wife Emmy came along to enjoy all the parties and the shopping. But their trip become a lot more serious when a participant in the conference is murdered and Henry becomes the only suspect. They are both drawn into a bewildering swirl of social activity among the upper classes while Henry fights to clear his name. He makes time, though, for a little flirtation with another woman, and between the crime, the woman, and the social scene, he's soon in real trouble.

I enjoyed this one, but not as much as some of her other books. I didn't like the addition of the other woman, although I can see why it was important to the plot. Moyes brings back characters from Dead Men Don't Ski, which is fun. A good book, but not her best.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scotland Yard inspector Henry Tibbett is representing Great Britain at a conference on drug smuggling in Geneva. The American delegate gives him the unwelcome news that there's a link in their arrangements. Someone in the small group he's working with must be guilty. Then the simultaneous translator is found murdered under circumstances that make it obvious that the murder must be--Tibbett himself. Can he find the real culprit and clear himself? He has to help him the Italian delegate, an old friend who still believes him, and his loyal wife Emmy--but that may not be enough.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was Christmas shopping last week. After buying a new book for my daughter, I took a detour into the used section of an independent book store that is still hanging on in Eugene. I was pleased to find a copy of an Inspector Tibbett mystery I had not already read. I enjoyed meeting up with Henry and Emmy again, but had trouble believing Henry could fall in love so quickly with someone who was not Emmy. The mystery was nicely set up but I could not quite fall into Tibbett's world as he seemed to have had a bit of a personality transplant.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was perturbed by Emmy and Henry's blase attitude toward his unfaithfulness. WTH!?

[Linniegayl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to say about this one. About a year ago I picked up a number of the Henry Tibbett mysteries at a used bookstore. I remembered reading some of them years ago, and had some fond memories of Henry and his wife Emmy. Henry's with Scotland Yard, and he and Emmy seemed to go on a lot of vacations to interesting places, where murders always occurred. I'm pretty sure I never read this one before, or I don't think I would have such fond memories of the series.

Henry is at a special conference in Geneva, and of course Emmy is along with him. Pretty soon someone working at the conference is murdered, and Henry becomes the chief suspect. The mystery aspect of the story feels like suspense more than anything else, and I found it interesting. What I didn't like -- and truly didn't remember -- was Henry and Emmy's relationship. Over the course of the book Henry falls in love with another woman (kisses only, as far as I can tell), but still love. And Emmy apparently has feelings for another man, or perhaps is just trying to make Henry jealous.

On another note, this was first published in 1962, so the investigative methods used are very different than what we'd see in a mystery today.

Based on other reviews I've read of this book, Henry and Emmy's behavior here was atypical. I'm going to try another of my stash in a few weeks and see if that's true. If not, I suspect I'll get rid of all of the rest.

I know some people classify the series as a cozy mystery series, but this one just didn't feel like a cozy to me.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In the plush Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, law officers from many countries are assembled to discuss the control of drug smuggling. Among them is Inspector Henry Tibbet, who is representing Britain, while his wife, Emmy, enjoys a holiday in the beautiful, cosmopolitan city surrounded by mountains, lakes, and rarefied air. Perhaps it is the latter that causes the normally steadfast Henry to find himself involved with a very attractive young woman, a liaison that quickly complicates his ability to account for himself when an important official at the conference is found slumped across his desk with a dagger in his back.

"Henry Tibbet, Chief Superintendent of Scotland Yard, has for years delighted those who love a classic British detective story. A modest, self-effacing man, Tibbet possesses an almost uncanny 'nose' for crime, and those who know him well realize that his gentlemanly demeanor masks a shrewd mind and a fearless spirit. When he teams up with his wife, Emmy, a cheerful but formidable woman, there isn't a criminal anywhere who can rest secure."
~~back cover

Another intricately plotted mystery, with believable characters and beautiful scenery. Clever intrigues and red herrings make it a fun, compelling read.

[Eugene · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good strong entry. The earlier books in the Henry Tibbett series are all tightly constructed, well plotted, and intriguingly developed. The pace is good, and the pages turn quite easily. It’s no wonder this has been an enduring and popular series.
Here Henry is at an international conference of police from many countries meeting to discuss international drug smuggling. He’s accompanied, as so often, by his wife Emmy who serves as a muse for Henry throughout these books. Murder isn’t on the agenda but makes an entry when one of the conference officials is found stabbed to death at his desk.
My single quibble: the silly (and totally unnecessary) dalliance Henry has with a young woman also working at the conference. The plot wrinkle this introduces could easily have been handling another way, it just felt like a gratuitous attempt to “sexy it up.” Thankfully, author Moyes seemed to recognize this, and in the rest of the series Henry and Emmy are the happily married couple we all expect them to be. It’s a quite minor part of the plot, quickly patched up, and not in any way a negative on the overall story.

[Marissa Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 1962, this is a great time capsule of Geneva during that time: the fashion, the politics, the gender relations, the interior decor, etc.

[Louise Culmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry Tibbett is at a police conference in Geneva, his wife Emmy has come along for a holiday. But by now the Tibbetts should know they can’t go anywhere without a murder happening, and sure enough there is one very soon. Unfortunately,Henry is the chief suspect. So he has to investigate while under suspicion.
Henry Tibbett isn’t the most exciting of detectives, but he and Emmy are an agreeable couple, and they always have an interesting time wherever they go, it is quite pleasant to travel with them.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, I found the affair between Henry and Mary and Emmy and Henry's reactions and reconciliation to be entirely unconvincing. And it was glaringly clear that if Henry didn't kill John, then Mary had by far the best opportunity. I suppose that sub-plot was supposed to give the book more emotional weight, but I think the whole thing backfired because it was so unconvincing and Mary's guilt was so transparent.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seriously, Henry's kind of an ass to Emmy in this one. His life is literally at stake, due to a killer and his own arrest for the murder looming, and he goes off galivanting with some random woman from the conference. And hides it from Emmy. And kisses the woman. And multiple references are made to him "loving" her. And then he and Emmy just get over it and are fine again? Give me a break. She deserves better.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always, Henry Tibbett and his wife find themselves in the midst of murder. Tibbett heads to a conference, meets some friends from another case, Dead Men Don't Ski, and then has to solve a mystery. I enjoy my time with the Tibbetts. Life was simpler when Moyes was writing and she is willing not to include a lot of blood and mayhem. The perfect story for a break from real life.

[Carolyn F.]

I remember being pissed at Inspector Henry Tibbett because the flirtation in this book was getting very close to the line and I seem to remember him comparing the younger woman to his wife. Even with that, I liked the book.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this third Henry Tibbett novel. This one takes place in Geneva, Switzerland, which makes it even more interesting than the normal mystery novel.

This time, Tibbett is at an international conference for investigators, and the focus is on drug smuggling. This book was originally published in 1962, yet unfortunately, the topic is all too relevant.

Because it is an international conference in Geneva, there are other investigators from other countries, as well as interpreters. All of these make up the bulk of the people in the story. In addition to these, there is a wealthy couple, Paul and Natasha Hampton, who have invited Tibbett, his wife Emmy (along for the sightseeing), and the group of people Tibbett knows from the conference all to a swanky party at their home. The next morning, one of the interpreters is dead and all the evidence points to Henry Tibbett.

The only downfall (so to speak) to this particular book has obviously many references to typing, typewriters, and other office machines and procedures of the early 1960's that obviously do not wear well with time. Still, it is a great mystery that kept me guessing right up until the last few pages.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

[Kristi Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book in the series a great deal more than I did the second book, which had way too much information about sailing for my taste. I found the setting of this mystery to be of great interest and the relationship between Henry and Mary Benson also of interest. However, in the end, I toyed with rating this book a 3 because so much that happened became seriously unbelievable. It was fairly obvious early on that Mary was really the only person who could have possibly committed the murder. I also found it quite silly how Henry handled having strayed in his marriage to Emmy; instead of being honest, he acted like somehow he were the wronged party. I didn't buy that Emmy would immediately, after over 20 years of marriage, embark on revenge dating once she realized that Henry had strayed either. Overall, I did enjoy the book, but it had some major flaws in my opinion.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like the clever and urbane English mystery, this book is for you. It takes place in Geneva, Switzerland at a conference of law officers, held to discuss the control of illegal drug smuggling. Inspector Henry Tibbett is there to represent Britain accompanied by his wife Emmy who wishes to enjoy a holiday in a beautiful cosmopolitan city. Henry soon finds himself involved in a murder for which he is the chief suspect. How he untangles this mystery, proves his innocence with the help of his good lady makes an engaging read.

[Jeff Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little whodunit from Patricia Moyes. Inspector Henry Tibbett (and wife Emmy) are in Zurich for a narcotics conference when he is framed for the murder of John Trapp. Tibbett has to work out why someone would set him and who amongst a group of friends is the guilty party. Very much like Ian Fleming, Moyes takes advantage of a holiday in Switzerland to bring a sense what foreign holidays to a drab Britain in the early 1960s. A nice time capsule which as much of a different era as the Golden Age crime.

[Caridad · Rating 4 out of 5]

good storyline…

This story kept me turning the pages trying to find who had killed the interpreter. I never saw the culprit until the very end. All the clues were there, but I did not catch them.
There was also the storyline about Harry’s infatuation and midlife crisis. This was handled very well and it brought a different insight into Harry’s and Emma’s relationship.
I will continue to read this series.

[Jlnpeacock Peacock · Rating 2 out of 5]

The relationship between Henry Tibbett and his wife, Emmy, has always been a great part of the charm of these books. I was highly disappointed that Henry would allow himself to become infatuated with another woman and declare to himself that he had loved her. And this, at the end of the day, was supposedly helpful to making the marriage stronger. The mystery was interesting but the moral laxity was crushing.

[David C Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever. A policeman suspected of murder at an international conference of policemen. It’s easy to spot the bad guys but nonetheless very well plotted, Tibbett is the most human of the various literary detectives. People on Golden Age detective stories do tend to fall in love very quickly though and on scant acquaintance.

[Heatherinblack · Rating 5 out of 5]

The super powerful drug lord was a bit much

It was obvious as well. So was the way Henry got framed. I knew it from the minute it happened. But, the pieces were great. How it all rolled together. And the way Henry solved it was perfectly reasonable. I like logic solutions. Well done.

[Vee Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This murder mystery was initially published in 1962, but it still holds up.

Inspector Henry Tibbett and his wife are in Geneva while Henry leads a committe on narcotics trafficking at a United Nations conference. Someone is murdered and, of course, it's up to Henry to find the culprit. It's a very enjoyable whodunit.

[thearcher89 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Once you realize the Dictaphone, it becomes quite straightforward. Feels like an average Agatha Christie (which is a good compliment). Surprised no one has adapted Patricia Moyes into TV series yet

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

good mystery

A bit confusing. Too many people. And I disagree with Henry’s definition of love. He’s talking about an emotional attraction. But I enjoyed the book. I had correctly guessed the guilty parties but not the details.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Convoluted plot with a lot of characters involved. It was fun to see a couple of them back from the first book. But, Henry’s behavior seemed out of character (what a jerk) and so easily resolved. Still, I enjoyed the mystery and the exotic locale.

[SuedePuzzler · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea that a drug smuggling gang would spy on the UN (that famous den of effeciency), in order to be able to carry out their business in peace, was just a little bit too ridiculous. Aside from that it was decent, I liked the view of Geneve and the diplomatic conference.

[Abby]

I didn’t enjoy this one due to Henry & Emmy making choices that seemed out of character for them. I read some reviews and it appears others felt the same way! Hopefully the next books feel more similar to the first two in the series.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite of the Henry Tibbett's Mysteries so far. It was quite intriguing because Henry becomes a suspect in the murder. Moyes does a good job laying out clues, but not in a way that makes it easy to figure out the mystery.