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Chief Inspector Littlejohn #34
Death in the Fearful Night
Littlejohn takes on an apparent serial killer who is stalking the residents of a once-sleepy village.
"The place is dead now at night. It’s like it was in wartime. As soon as night falls, you don’t know what’s going to happen.”
When Samuel Bracknell is found dead in his home with a knife in his back, the third murder of its kind in as many weeks, the population of Carleton Unthank is left shivering in their beds.
Superintendent Littlejohn arrives to investigate and is sickened to hear that all three crimes were committed with the same knife. Why then was the knife was left in Bracknell’s body? Was the murderer disturbed – or is it a sign of something more sinister?
When a fourth body turns up, this one an apparent suicide, Littlejohn is baffled. What is going on in Carleton Unthank? The once sleepy village is gaining a ghoulish reputation as The Town of Fearful Nights and the threat of another murder looms each time the sun sets. Littlejohn faces sleep deprived residents, no clues, and a race against the clock to prevent the body count rising any further.
Reviews
'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 place is dead now at night. It’s like it was in wartime. As soon as night falls, you don’t know what’s going to happen.”
When Samuel Bracknell is found dead in his home with a knife in his back, the third murder of its kind in as many weeks, the population of Carleton Unthank is left shivering in their beds.
Superintendent Littlejohn arrives to investigate and is sickened to hear that all three crimes were committed with the same knife. Why then was the knife was left in Bracknell’s body? Was the murderer disturbed – or is it a sign of something more sinister?
When a fourth body turns up, this one an apparent suicide, Littlejohn is baffled. What is going on in Carleton Unthank? The once sleepy village is gaining a ghoulish reputation as The Town of Fearful Nights and the threat of another murder looms each time the sun sets. Littlejohn faces sleep deprived residents, no clues, and a race against the clock to prevent the body count rising any further.
Reviews
'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
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1960
234 people are currently reading
120 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 37 reviews
December 31, 2019
I am a great fan of George Bellairs’ Superintendent Littlejohn series, but this book really knocked my socks off! It’s one of the best in the series.
Superintendent Thomas Littlejohn is summoned to Midshire County when a third person is killed in less than a month. Although local Superintendent Herle is reluctant to do so, his boss forces him to summon Scotland Yard. The resentful Herle thinks he can do at least as good a job as Scotland Yard at uncovering who the Midshire Maniac — as the local press have dubbed the serial killer — is.
In this, the 34th book in the Littlejohn series, Littlejohn and his trusty Sergeant Cromwell find themselves at odds with the local police as they investigate the deaths of two young girls and a reclusive Australian émigré. I did enjoy the plot twists and clever thinking, but what I loved best is the sly humor poked at human nature and human foibles. Highly recommended.
Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read this book for free.
Superintendent Thomas Littlejohn is summoned to Midshire County when a third person is killed in less than a month. Although local Superintendent Herle is reluctant to do so, his boss forces him to summon Scotland Yard. The resentful Herle thinks he can do at least as good a job as Scotland Yard at uncovering who the Midshire Maniac — as the local press have dubbed the serial killer — is.
In this, the 34th book in the Littlejohn series, Littlejohn and his trusty Sergeant Cromwell find themselves at odds with the local police as they investigate the deaths of two young girls and a reclusive Australian émigré. I did enjoy the plot twists and clever thinking, but what I loved best is the sly humor poked at human nature and human foibles. Highly recommended.
Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read this book for free.
April 2, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up for beginner’s luck.
This is my first Inspector Littlejohn by George Bellairs, and I enjoyed it enough to read at least some of the forty-nine others.
The mystery was puzzling, and the characters were intriguing. I loved the bits of humor tossed in here and there.
Available from AMZ/US Kindle Unlimited.
This is my first Inspector Littlejohn by George Bellairs, and I enjoyed it enough to read at least some of the forty-nine others.
The mystery was puzzling, and the characters were intriguing. I loved the bits of humor tossed in here and there.
Available from AMZ/US Kindle Unlimited.
October 20, 2016
Another Bellairs book under the belt and I found it to be enjoyable company but for the overly-long wrap up. One of the elements I appreciate in these books is the description of the countryside in those with a rural setting. It is almost like walking through the country for me, something I enjoyed as a child accompanying my father on long walks along remote dirt roads, stopping frequently to breathe in the air and watch birds, industrious beavers, cows, horses and other critters.
That said, I also enjoy descriptions of minor and major characters that indicated the fun this author had with writing these books. Example of minor character: Littlejohn was checking out a church to have a chat with the organist who called him to the scene to report instance of overnight intruder and he spotted the organist's wife first, "a huge woman, like a featherbed, rose from the choir, seized him like a child taking up a favourite doll, and kissed him." That was her husband the organist, by the way, who got the kiss of congratulations for having written and performed a new composition.
That said, I also enjoy descriptions of minor and major characters that indicated the fun this author had with writing these books. Example of minor character: Littlejohn was checking out a church to have a chat with the organist who called him to the scene to report instance of overnight intruder and he spotted the organist's wife first, "a huge woman, like a featherbed, rose from the choir, seized him like a child taking up a favourite doll, and kissed him." That was her husband the organist, by the way, who got the kiss of congratulations for having written and performed a new composition.
July 9, 2017
Dating from 1960, this is the weakest Littlejohn I have read so far, The plot is rather thin, the detection felt as if it was taking forever and, again, the explanation was repetitive and long-winded.
Littlejohn and Cromwell are called in to investigate three murders in Carelton Unthank. Two of these are solved fairly quickly and prove to be unrelated to the third. A fourth murder takes place. The police discover that blackmail is involved and uncover the murderer after delving into the past of some citizens of the town.
The best parts of this book are in the memorable characters such as Mr.Blower, the organist and his wife, Mr. Nicholson, the accountant, Checkland, the mayor and Mrs. Chettle, the caretaker’s wife, all depicted with care and humour; and in the descriptions of places and buildings.
Littlejohn and Cromwell are called in to investigate three murders in Carelton Unthank. Two of these are solved fairly quickly and prove to be unrelated to the third. A fourth murder takes place. The police discover that blackmail is involved and uncover the murderer after delving into the past of some citizens of the town.
The best parts of this book are in the memorable characters such as Mr.Blower, the organist and his wife, Mr. Nicholson, the accountant, Checkland, the mayor and Mrs. Chettle, the caretaker’s wife, all depicted with care and humour; and in the descriptions of places and buildings.
January 14, 2023
Just re-read after many years.
An excellent police procedural in which Littlejohn and Cromwell arrive on the first page with three murders already having been committed. All the background is revealed in the process of the investigation. I much prefer this to a long build-up with the police turning up much later in the book. More mayhem ensues . All this together with the superb depictions of the protagonists is all described in Bellairs's brilliant witty style.
A most enjoyable read and highly recommended.
An excellent police procedural in which Littlejohn and Cromwell arrive on the first page with three murders already having been committed. All the background is revealed in the process of the investigation. I much prefer this to a long build-up with the police turning up much later in the book. More mayhem ensues . All this together with the superb depictions of the protagonists is all described in Bellairs's brilliant witty style.
A most enjoyable read and highly recommended.
October 31, 2021
We all know I'm a big Bellairs fan, and this book hammers home just what a good author he was.
Great writing, with the tragic intertwined with the comedic with characters I can imagine in real life as they are written so well.
Another case for Littlejohn and Cromwell and this time murders are taking place in the quiet village of Carleton Unthank on dark Autumnal nights.
Old country houses, murders after dark and a village with secrets! All perfect reading. A cracking October read.
Great writing, with the tragic intertwined with the comedic with characters I can imagine in real life as they are written so well.
Another case for Littlejohn and Cromwell and this time murders are taking place in the quiet village of Carleton Unthank on dark Autumnal nights.
Old country houses, murders after dark and a village with secrets! All perfect reading. A cracking October read.
January 3, 2022
Very good. As always.
November 11, 2022
B:
A really engaging puzzle with some well-worked red herrings. My only qualm is that the identity of the killer is, frankly, not a surprise.
A really engaging puzzle with some well-worked red herrings. My only qualm is that the identity of the killer is, frankly, not a surprise.
July 22, 2025
Knifing people in the back is an unsavory hobby.
The "Midshire Maniac" is an equal-opportunity serial killer. He killed two young women (as a form of sexual satisfaction?) but also knifed a middle-aged reclusive man. Or was the third killing a "copy-cat murder"?
The first victim was a young woman on her way home from choir practice. Three days later, a teen girl was murdered on her way to a party. Both murders occurred in the area of neighboring towns Carlton Unthank and Fenny Carleton, putting the cat among the pigeons both places.
Everyone's in a panic and you can't blame them. Random killings by a stranger are frightening. People, especially females, are staying home after dark. Men's clubs have organized guards to police streets and roads at night.
The police have been savagely criticized, although no one's harder to catch than a random killer. Against the wishes of local Superintendent Herle, Scotland Yard is called in. Superintendent Littlejohn and Sergeant Cromwell arrive to find that everyone demands IMMEDIATE action.
Herle expects them to work 24/7 and the pompous mayor wants personal reports from the Scotland Yard men. As he says, when people are afraid to go out at night, local businesses suffer. The economy is in his hands and he wants the killer caught.
The murder of Samual Blacknell doesn't bother the locals much. He was a loner who lived in a decaying house called Freake's Folly. More than a hundred years ago, a member of a great land-owning family built the Folly to house a peculiar in-law. Since then, it's housed other unwanted family members, then abandoned.
Lately a man arrived from a branch of the family that emigrated to Australia. He lives in three rooms of the old ruin and has little contact with his neighbors. One of them is quick to tell Littlejohn that Blacknell was curiously attractive to women, and ladies have been seen visiting him. One is a farm girl, another is the town librarian.
The third is a classy socialite who runs a riding stable. She's the one who was left all of Blacknell's property and money. Freake's Folly is thirty acres of bad farmland and a ruined house, but its owner's bank account is an eye opener. Where was Blacknell getting all that money?
It looks like the case is solved when a strange farm wife arrives at the police station with a story about her husband committing suicide after killing his brother and hiding the body under the manure pile. The brother escaped from an asylum where he was confined for killing young women. After his escape, he went back to his old hobby, until a family quarrel put him out of business. OK, that solves the killings of the two girls, but who killed Samuel Blacknell?
Then a second Aussie comes to town. He was a local until he broke the law and was forced to emigrate or face arrest. He's bitter and itching to get even with the man who ran him out of England and (to add insult to injury) stole the girl he was planning to marry.
He's a wily customer and the police have trouble getting their hands on him and then keeping him where he's supposed to be. Then one of Blacknell's girlfriends is knifed in the back. Is it an isolated murder or connected to Blacknell's killing?
Old sins cast long shadows and a man may wait years to exact revenge. Sometimes he's sure a woman is waiting for him, but the reality is different. It's a sad story of blackmail and a woman being bled by those who threaten her marriage and her reputation in the community.
Despite Superintendent Herle's pushing, Littlejohn and Cromwell go about their business as they always do, talking to people and then piecing the stories together to make a coherent whole. It's slow and seldom dramatic, but it's the basis of all police work.
I like police "procedurals," which seldom involve car chases and dramatic showdowns. I don't know where this author got his knowledge of police work, but his stories ring true to me and his talent for creating odd, but believable characters is hard to beat. I'm enjoying this series.
The "Midshire Maniac" is an equal-opportunity serial killer. He killed two young women (as a form of sexual satisfaction?) but also knifed a middle-aged reclusive man. Or was the third killing a "copy-cat murder"?
The first victim was a young woman on her way home from choir practice. Three days later, a teen girl was murdered on her way to a party. Both murders occurred in the area of neighboring towns Carlton Unthank and Fenny Carleton, putting the cat among the pigeons both places.
Everyone's in a panic and you can't blame them. Random killings by a stranger are frightening. People, especially females, are staying home after dark. Men's clubs have organized guards to police streets and roads at night.
The police have been savagely criticized, although no one's harder to catch than a random killer. Against the wishes of local Superintendent Herle, Scotland Yard is called in. Superintendent Littlejohn and Sergeant Cromwell arrive to find that everyone demands IMMEDIATE action.
Herle expects them to work 24/7 and the pompous mayor wants personal reports from the Scotland Yard men. As he says, when people are afraid to go out at night, local businesses suffer. The economy is in his hands and he wants the killer caught.
The murder of Samual Blacknell doesn't bother the locals much. He was a loner who lived in a decaying house called Freake's Folly. More than a hundred years ago, a member of a great land-owning family built the Folly to house a peculiar in-law. Since then, it's housed other unwanted family members, then abandoned.
Lately a man arrived from a branch of the family that emigrated to Australia. He lives in three rooms of the old ruin and has little contact with his neighbors. One of them is quick to tell Littlejohn that Blacknell was curiously attractive to women, and ladies have been seen visiting him. One is a farm girl, another is the town librarian.
The third is a classy socialite who runs a riding stable. She's the one who was left all of Blacknell's property and money. Freake's Folly is thirty acres of bad farmland and a ruined house, but its owner's bank account is an eye opener. Where was Blacknell getting all that money?
It looks like the case is solved when a strange farm wife arrives at the police station with a story about her husband committing suicide after killing his brother and hiding the body under the manure pile. The brother escaped from an asylum where he was confined for killing young women. After his escape, he went back to his old hobby, until a family quarrel put him out of business. OK, that solves the killings of the two girls, but who killed Samuel Blacknell?
Then a second Aussie comes to town. He was a local until he broke the law and was forced to emigrate or face arrest. He's bitter and itching to get even with the man who ran him out of England and (to add insult to injury) stole the girl he was planning to marry.
He's a wily customer and the police have trouble getting their hands on him and then keeping him where he's supposed to be. Then one of Blacknell's girlfriends is knifed in the back. Is it an isolated murder or connected to Blacknell's killing?
Old sins cast long shadows and a man may wait years to exact revenge. Sometimes he's sure a woman is waiting for him, but the reality is different. It's a sad story of blackmail and a woman being bled by those who threaten her marriage and her reputation in the community.
Despite Superintendent Herle's pushing, Littlejohn and Cromwell go about their business as they always do, talking to people and then piecing the stories together to make a coherent whole. It's slow and seldom dramatic, but it's the basis of all police work.
I like police "procedurals," which seldom involve car chases and dramatic showdowns. I don't know where this author got his knowledge of police work, but his stories ring true to me and his talent for creating odd, but believable characters is hard to beat. I'm enjoying this series.
March 17, 2025
This is my second Bellairs, and I am reading them in random order as I can find them. Through the first three-quarters of this book, I enjoyed it immensely. It is better written than most books in this genre, and I especially liked his descriptions of the peripheral characters. You can almost visualize each one, and their character is quickly but effectively sketched.
Surprisingly, Inspector Littlejohn and his partner, Cromwell, come through less individualistically than the other characters. Cromwell, especially, is devoid of personality. As is apparently usual, Littlejohn once again has tension with the local police, and has an impressive ability to ask the right questions at the right time. He does not just use "little grey cells" to intuit what has happened.
The plot is very orderly and seems to develop organically. For that reason, the ending is less of a surprise than is often true in police procedurals. While that provided for me a slight let-down, I respect the integrity with which this plot was constructed. I also found the book's title to be melodramatic and not match the story well.
Surprisingly, Inspector Littlejohn and his partner, Cromwell, come through less individualistically than the other characters. Cromwell, especially, is devoid of personality. As is apparently usual, Littlejohn once again has tension with the local police, and has an impressive ability to ask the right questions at the right time. He does not just use "little grey cells" to intuit what has happened.
The plot is very orderly and seems to develop organically. For that reason, the ending is less of a surprise than is often true in police procedurals. While that provided for me a slight let-down, I respect the integrity with which this plot was constructed. I also found the book's title to be melodramatic and not match the story well.
February 28, 2020
Comprado en el parque del periodista por $2000 pesos, a un señor que pasaba con una bolsa llena de libros, en una edición pirata ya destruida.
Estaba evitando leerlo, por ser uno de esos libros que se escriben en serie, sin mayor sentido, tuve que leerlo cuando ya no tenía más nada y el calor me andaba acorralando días enteros en un corredor oscuro y me encantó, cumple su función a la perfección. No deja grandes lecciones de vida, ni se adentra en las almas humanas o transmite el sabor de los espacios, pero entretiene y mucho, aunque uno ya sepa por donde van los tiros, es entretenido seguir el hilo de como se desarrolla la trama.
Un libro cumplidor, y ahora que no pido sabiduría ni conocimiento de los libros, me doy por bien servida
Estaba evitando leerlo, por ser uno de esos libros que se escriben en serie, sin mayor sentido, tuve que leerlo cuando ya no tenía más nada y el calor me andaba acorralando días enteros en un corredor oscuro y me encantó, cumple su función a la perfección. No deja grandes lecciones de vida, ni se adentra en las almas humanas o transmite el sabor de los espacios, pero entretiene y mucho, aunque uno ya sepa por donde van los tiros, es entretenido seguir el hilo de como se desarrolla la trama.
Un libro cumplidor, y ahora que no pido sabiduría ni conocimiento de los libros, me doy por bien servida
May 18, 2017
Littlejohn and Cromwell are sent to the Midlands to investigate the death of 2 young ladies and a older man, they seem to upset the local investigators with much humour as George Bellairs is so good at. One thing you may discover that if your a barber not a good place for you as most people seem to be bald as you will discover. This book will enthral you with twists, turns and subtle humour right to the last page
February 9, 2018
Definitely more investigating done by Littlejohn and Cromwell in this one. Fearful's another book full of characters - caricatures for the most part - amusing, but creating an odd impression of the Brits of this period. Fearful has the usual 'rush to the exit' ending in order to get a busy plot, and a multitude of characters squared away. Until then this is a good read.
June 2, 2019
Excellent
Littlejohn and Cromwell are brought in to investigate three murders that of two young women and a man. The local police are going round in circles getting nowhere and at first it appears to be the same for our Scotland Yard duo but eventually they bring the case to its conclusion.
Littlejohn and Cromwell are brought in to investigate three murders that of two young women and a man. The local police are going round in circles getting nowhere and at first it appears to be the same for our Scotland Yard duo but eventually they bring the case to its conclusion.
May 3, 2020
(3.5 stars) Strong start, with a striking premise and interesting characters, but declines somewhat after the first half or so--the last few chapters are a particular slog, with Littlejohn's tediously restating facts that had just been established in the previous chapters. Some of the characterization is pretty inconsistent too. Not a standout but a good solid read.
February 26, 2018
Not at the level of a Christie but still an enjoyable read.
March 20, 2018
Okay
The author is NO Agatha Christie. While he's brilliant on description, he rather loses the plot.
It's better than nothing, but not much.
The author is NO Agatha Christie. While he's brilliant on description, he rather loses the plot.
It's better than nothing, but not much.
July 9, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading others in the series.
December 29, 2018
Kindle Unlimited
January 16, 2019
There is no words to tell how much Chief Inspector Littlejohn hold my attention. He is one of a few that can, I put him in a class with Agaths Christie.
January 20, 2019
Entertaining easy read from the 60's
March 17, 2019
The town of Carleton Unthank may have a serial killer. Littlejohn and Cromwell are called in to investigate. Can they figure out what really happened?
Good classic mystery.
Good classic mystery.
August 6, 2019
Five murders and a suicide. I'm surprised Littlejohn didn't blow a gasket. A later tale but one of the best.
August 17, 2020
This was a good one!
I like how he mixes the plot around. We’ve seen the fiancé sent to Australia, the woman who married the guy she didn’t live before, but he mixes up what they do.
I like how he mixes the plot around. We’ve seen the fiancé sent to Australia, the woman who married the guy she didn’t live before, but he mixes up what they do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2021
Another Excellent Mystery
A simpler mystery than usual for Bellairs but equally enjoyable. What looks like a mad serial killer becomes more complicated.
A simpler mystery than usual for Bellairs but equally enjoyable. What looks like a mad serial killer becomes more complicated.
September 1, 2022
One of the better Bellairs, especially of the ones not set on the Isle of Man or in Provence. A very enjoyable read.
September 3, 2022
OK, but PD James and Agatha it is not.
May 24, 2024
More of a straight up police procedural and not as twisty
June 12, 2024
A claustrophobic case of obsession and murder. As always, Bellairs is v good on small town characters and grotesques. A little unusually, the local police don’t come off too well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews