What do you think?
Rate this book
Flaxborough Chronicles #9
One Man's Meat
With old-world charm and a military air, Mortimer Rothermere makes a most convincing conman.
Just now he is employed by the Cultox corporation, to ensure that no breath of scandal taints the reputation of their successful pet food company near Flaxborough, as the acrimonious marriage of its unsavoury MD, David Harton and his wife Julia, threatens to boil over.
But even Mortimer’s habitual sang-froid deserts him in the face of ruthless villainy and actual murder – what a relief that an old friend lives nearby, the incomparable Miss Lucy Teatime, and she is willing to dig out the dark secrets of canned WOOF (with turkey), ‘the caviar of the canine world’.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1977
71 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Colin Watson
64 books29 followersColin Watson was educated at the Whitgift School in South Croydon, London. During his career as a journalist he worked in London and Newcastle-on-Tyne, where he was a leader-writer for Kemsley Newspapers.
His book Hopjoy Was Here (1962) received the Silver Dagger Award. He was married, with three children, and lived in Lincolnshire. After retiring from journalism he designed silver jewellery.
As well as a series of humorous detective novels set in the imaginary town of Flaxborough, featuring Inspector Purbright, Watson also wrote and later revised a study of detective stories and thrillers called Snobbery with Violence.
His book Hopjoy Was Here (1962) received the Silver Dagger Award. He was married, with three children, and lived in Lincolnshire. After retiring from journalism he designed silver jewellery.
As well as a series of humorous detective novels set in the imaginary town of Flaxborough, featuring Inspector Purbright, Watson also wrote and later revised a study of detective stories and thrillers called Snobbery with Violence.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 15, 2018
*3.5 stars rounded up.
These old Flaxborough mysteries by Colin Watson from the 1970s are such a hoot! In this ninth book in the series, a young man falls to his death from an amusement park ride. Was it accidental? Or is it somehow tied to something funny going on at the local dog food plant where he worked?
The man who runs the plant is a nasty piece of work who wants to divorce his wife for his new little hottie. But hoho, hold on a minute! His wife Julia receives a letter from a firm called Happy Endings which claims they can help her come out ahead in the divorce proceedings. Intrigued, she meets with the man who wrote the letter, one calling himself Mortimer Rothermere, who has a convoluted plan in mind to help her...
These are witty British police procedurals with finely-drawn characters and crazy situations, which of course make for great reading.
Many thanks to Farrago Books UK for once again providing me with an arc of this mystery via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
These old Flaxborough mysteries by Colin Watson from the 1970s are such a hoot! In this ninth book in the series, a young man falls to his death from an amusement park ride. Was it accidental? Or is it somehow tied to something funny going on at the local dog food plant where he worked?
The man who runs the plant is a nasty piece of work who wants to divorce his wife for his new little hottie. But hoho, hold on a minute! His wife Julia receives a letter from a firm called Happy Endings which claims they can help her come out ahead in the divorce proceedings. Intrigued, she meets with the man who wrote the letter, one calling himself Mortimer Rothermere, who has a convoluted plan in mind to help her...
These are witty British police procedurals with finely-drawn characters and crazy situations, which of course make for great reading.
Many thanks to Farrago Books UK for once again providing me with an arc of this mystery via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 23, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Farrago for an advance copy of One Man's Meat, the ninth novel in the Flaxborough Chronicles series of police procedurals featuring Inspector Purbright, originally published in 1977.
Julia Horton is approached by Mortimer Rothermere of the Happy Endings Agency with a view to enabling her to escape her unhappy marriage to dog food executive, David, with a decent settlement. That it is a con doesn't occur to her until the consequences become serious. Fortunately Mortimer's old friend Miss Lucilla Teatime is there to rescue the situation.
I thoroughly enjoyed One Man's Meat which is a cleverly plotted tale of cross and double cross, told in a very funny, arch tone. The bulk of the novel revolves around a marriage gone wrong and the petty desire for revenge which often accompanies this situation. Mr Watson, being true to himself, takes it to extremes and in the process produces a very amusing scenario. More sinisterly David uses his business employees to make it happen as, obviously, the makers of Woof don't want any scandal attached to their name or product. Mr Watson has a good poke at their practice and while amusing none of it is beyond the realms of possibility.
Inspector Purbright is a much sharper operator than his good manners and kindly demeanour would suggest, much to the alarm of his Chief Constable and interviewees but the credit for sorting out the mess must go to the inestimable and amoral Miss Lucilla Teatime, by far my favourite character in these novels. Nothing is ever said overtly about her sharp practices, it's all done by gentility and inference. It's a masterclass in British good manners.
One Man's Meat is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Julia Horton is approached by Mortimer Rothermere of the Happy Endings Agency with a view to enabling her to escape her unhappy marriage to dog food executive, David, with a decent settlement. That it is a con doesn't occur to her until the consequences become serious. Fortunately Mortimer's old friend Miss Lucilla Teatime is there to rescue the situation.
I thoroughly enjoyed One Man's Meat which is a cleverly plotted tale of cross and double cross, told in a very funny, arch tone. The bulk of the novel revolves around a marriage gone wrong and the petty desire for revenge which often accompanies this situation. Mr Watson, being true to himself, takes it to extremes and in the process produces a very amusing scenario. More sinisterly David uses his business employees to make it happen as, obviously, the makers of Woof don't want any scandal attached to their name or product. Mr Watson has a good poke at their practice and while amusing none of it is beyond the realms of possibility.
Inspector Purbright is a much sharper operator than his good manners and kindly demeanour would suggest, much to the alarm of his Chief Constable and interviewees but the credit for sorting out the mess must go to the inestimable and amoral Miss Lucilla Teatime, by far my favourite character in these novels. Nothing is ever said overtly about her sharp practices, it's all done by gentility and inference. It's a masterclass in British good manners.
One Man's Meat is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
June 1, 2018
One Man's Meat, the ninth Flaxborough book, is another enormously enjoyable instalment in a marvellous series.
Here, following a death on a funfair ride which may or may not have been an accident, an elaborate story of marital disharmony, deception, double-crossing and skulduggery in the dog-food business unfolds. It's perhaps slightly more of a crime mystery and less of a comedy than some of Watson's earlier books, but it's still very amusing and a great read. Many of our favourite characters are here, doing what they do best – including the magnificent Miss Lucilla Teatime, who is a simply wondrous creation. Watson's penetrating humour and shrewd, skewering observations are well in evidence and the book is written in his lovely, witty, readable prose,
If you've read Watson before, you probably won’t need me to tell you how good One Man's Meat is. If you haven't, don't hesitate; this works fine as a stand-alone book but my advice is to begin at the start of the series with Coffin, Scarcely Used and savour the whole lot. The series has been a truly joyful discovery for me and I can recommend this and all the others very warmly.
(My thanks to Farrago for an ARC via NetGalley.)
Here, following a death on a funfair ride which may or may not have been an accident, an elaborate story of marital disharmony, deception, double-crossing and skulduggery in the dog-food business unfolds. It's perhaps slightly more of a crime mystery and less of a comedy than some of Watson's earlier books, but it's still very amusing and a great read. Many of our favourite characters are here, doing what they do best – including the magnificent Miss Lucilla Teatime, who is a simply wondrous creation. Watson's penetrating humour and shrewd, skewering observations are well in evidence and the book is written in his lovely, witty, readable prose,
If you've read Watson before, you probably won’t need me to tell you how good One Man's Meat is. If you haven't, don't hesitate; this works fine as a stand-alone book but my advice is to begin at the start of the series with Coffin, Scarcely Used and savour the whole lot. The series has been a truly joyful discovery for me and I can recommend this and all the others very warmly.
(My thanks to Farrago for an ARC via NetGalley.)
May 1, 2021
I am now up to no.9 in my re-reading of the Flaxborough Chronicles and I have to say that I am enjoying them even more than before. These books are so beautifully written and so witty and have pretty decent plots. If you want to read English at its very best then look no further. Superb!!!
June 15, 2018
One Man’s Meat is Gone Girl 60s style!
The ninth Flaxborough mystery was published in 1977 but is set in the “swinging” 60s. Motorcycle gang member Digger Tring falls from a carnival ride 100 feet to his death. Julia Harton’s husband wants a divorce to marry his mistress who is willing to play the waffle game with a tennis racket, butter and her bum. Con man Mr. Rothermer convinces Julia to use the “classic ploy of the vanished wife” to ensure she receives $20,000 in her divorce settlement. Inspector Purbright and Detective Love investigate.
Highly recommended for its dry wit and great mystery. Definitely one of the best in a series that just keeps improving. 4 stars!
Thanks to the publisher, Farrago Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
The ninth Flaxborough mystery was published in 1977 but is set in the “swinging” 60s. Motorcycle gang member Digger Tring falls from a carnival ride 100 feet to his death. Julia Harton’s husband wants a divorce to marry his mistress who is willing to play the waffle game with a tennis racket, butter and her bum. Con man Mr. Rothermer convinces Julia to use the “classic ploy of the vanished wife” to ensure she receives $20,000 in her divorce settlement. Inspector Purbright and Detective Love investigate.
Highly recommended for its dry wit and great mystery. Definitely one of the best in a series that just keeps improving. 4 stars!
Thanks to the publisher, Farrago Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
November 5, 2025
Quirky little mystery that I discovered is part of a nine book series. The story was a little thin but I loved the twists and turns and the remarkable use of the English language. It was rewarding to read something that wasn’t written at a fourth grade level.
October 15, 2018
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
One Man's Meat is the 9th Flaxborough mystery by Colin Watson. Originally released in 1977 as It Shouldn't Happen to a Dog , this reformat/re-release is 194 pages from Farrago Press and is available in ebook and paperback formats.
It's been a lot of fun to revisit these silver age English procedurals and this one in particular is a joy. The general naughtiness level is less than most of the others in the series (with the exception of implied nudity/sex) but the wit and double entendres abound. This outing for Inspector Purbright and co. sees them up against murder and double crosses galore along with industrial espionage. Miss Teatime features prominently in this volume and she's delightful as always.
I enjoyed the plotting and spareness of the prose. It's only 194 pages, so a quick read. Watson is incredibly adept at providing clues in the narrative without beating one over the head with them. Nothing goes to waste in his writing and I could only shake my head in wondering admiration of the way he ties everything together at the end. Brilliant.
This is definitely my favorite book in the series. Wonderful writing. I think Watson compares quite favorably with Maugham, if a bit more cheeky and given to sly *nudge* *wink* in-jokes occasionally.
Five stars, well worth chasing down for a smile and a pleasurable reading interlude.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
One Man's Meat is the 9th Flaxborough mystery by Colin Watson. Originally released in 1977 as It Shouldn't Happen to a Dog , this reformat/re-release is 194 pages from Farrago Press and is available in ebook and paperback formats.
It's been a lot of fun to revisit these silver age English procedurals and this one in particular is a joy. The general naughtiness level is less than most of the others in the series (with the exception of implied nudity/sex) but the wit and double entendres abound. This outing for Inspector Purbright and co. sees them up against murder and double crosses galore along with industrial espionage. Miss Teatime features prominently in this volume and she's delightful as always.
I enjoyed the plotting and spareness of the prose. It's only 194 pages, so a quick read. Watson is incredibly adept at providing clues in the narrative without beating one over the head with them. Nothing goes to waste in his writing and I could only shake my head in wondering admiration of the way he ties everything together at the end. Brilliant.
This is definitely my favorite book in the series. Wonderful writing. I think Watson compares quite favorably with Maugham, if a bit more cheeky and given to sly *nudge* *wink* in-jokes occasionally.
Five stars, well worth chasing down for a smile and a pleasurable reading interlude.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
June 12, 2018
A young man named Tring is having a fun night at a local fair when for a seemingly unknown reason, he falls to his death from a ride. But his family is having none of it and insist that his death was murder. After the general inquest, DI Purbright isn't sure what to make of it, but he's willing to listen to what Tring's grandmother has to say on the subject...
Julia and David Harton heartily dislike each other and he wants a divorce. Badly. But not enough to part with any of his money, which is why she won't grant him one. Yet she soon receives in the post a very strange letter from a company called "Happy Endings" that professes to offer her just that.
When she meets with the sender - a Mr. Mortimer Rothermere - he merely states that he has been retained by someone who knows of her plight and is willing to offer her a way to achieve her ends - to the tune of ￡20,000. After hearing the details she agrees. She is merely to "disappear" for a time, leaving trace evidence of her husband having done away with her. Then, when he is desperate for her to return, she will - but only if he meets her price...
Somehow these two events are related, but how? And will Purbright be able to connect them, thus solving the disappearance of Mrs. Harton and the death of Mr. Tring? Perhaps...with a little luck, the mild assistance of Miss Lucy Teatime, and the reluctant help of Mr. Rothermere...
While at first this seems to be a tale of the murder of a young man and a plan to convince a husband his wife has been kidnapped, it soon becomes something else entirely. The young man's grandmother goes to Purbright telling him that a picture of her grandson is missing, along with the silver frame it was in - taken by a supposed reporter - and also missing is a small round medal that he had possession of. Who would want either of these items?
Then when Julia Harton agrees to a plan to be "kidnapped" in order to force her husband - who wants a divorce but does not want to give her any kind of financial settlement - to do so, it is soon found out that something very different than what Mrs. Harton had agreed to has been put in place.
But while these two things seem to have nothing in common, it turns out that they most certainly do. And when Miss Lucilla Teatime pays a visit to a friend and discovers that one of her beloved dogs has passed away it only adds to the mystery...
What seems like a couple of forthright cases soon turn into a mystery indeed for Detective Inspector Purbright. Certain things start to come to light, both for him and for the 'grieving' husband who begins to realize that things are starting to go awry; partly because Mr. Rothermere - who has begun to realize that he might have made a terrible mistake - turns to Miss Teatime for help in unraveling himself from the situation.
When Mrs. Harton also begins to realize her role in the matter may not have been as straightforward as she thought, she also wonders how to extricate herself and that is when things start falling into place for Purbright. With plenty of twists and turns, it is delightful indeed to watch everything weave itself into place giving us a nice historical mystery; while those today are indeed much more complicated, this is still a very nice endeavor. Recommended.
Julia and David Harton heartily dislike each other and he wants a divorce. Badly. But not enough to part with any of his money, which is why she won't grant him one. Yet she soon receives in the post a very strange letter from a company called "Happy Endings" that professes to offer her just that.
When she meets with the sender - a Mr. Mortimer Rothermere - he merely states that he has been retained by someone who knows of her plight and is willing to offer her a way to achieve her ends - to the tune of ￡20,000. After hearing the details she agrees. She is merely to "disappear" for a time, leaving trace evidence of her husband having done away with her. Then, when he is desperate for her to return, she will - but only if he meets her price...
Somehow these two events are related, but how? And will Purbright be able to connect them, thus solving the disappearance of Mrs. Harton and the death of Mr. Tring? Perhaps...with a little luck, the mild assistance of Miss Lucy Teatime, and the reluctant help of Mr. Rothermere...
While at first this seems to be a tale of the murder of a young man and a plan to convince a husband his wife has been kidnapped, it soon becomes something else entirely. The young man's grandmother goes to Purbright telling him that a picture of her grandson is missing, along with the silver frame it was in - taken by a supposed reporter - and also missing is a small round medal that he had possession of. Who would want either of these items?
Then when Julia Harton agrees to a plan to be "kidnapped" in order to force her husband - who wants a divorce but does not want to give her any kind of financial settlement - to do so, it is soon found out that something very different than what Mrs. Harton had agreed to has been put in place.
But while these two things seem to have nothing in common, it turns out that they most certainly do. And when Miss Lucilla Teatime pays a visit to a friend and discovers that one of her beloved dogs has passed away it only adds to the mystery...
What seems like a couple of forthright cases soon turn into a mystery indeed for Detective Inspector Purbright. Certain things start to come to light, both for him and for the 'grieving' husband who begins to realize that things are starting to go awry; partly because Mr. Rothermere - who has begun to realize that he might have made a terrible mistake - turns to Miss Teatime for help in unraveling himself from the situation.
When Mrs. Harton also begins to realize her role in the matter may not have been as straightforward as she thought, she also wonders how to extricate herself and that is when things start falling into place for Purbright. With plenty of twists and turns, it is delightful indeed to watch everything weave itself into place giving us a nice historical mystery; while those today are indeed much more complicated, this is still a very nice endeavor. Recommended.
June 2, 2018
You would think that there is not a lot of intrigue or danger in the field of pet food production, and you might also believe that a small carnival is just a bit of fun, or that they have nothing to do with local boarding kennels. Imagine how surprised you will be to learn how they all connect. Between the death of a young man who falls from a carnival ride, the wife of a local executive who goes missing, and the arrival of another of Miss Teatime's old friends, Flaxborough is in for more drama. Coroner's inquests, doctored photographs, extra-marital affairs, and a busy rumor mill will keep everyone busy as the constable's try to piece it all together.
As usual, Purbright plugs away at the investigation until he finally makes sense of it all. With the help of Sid and the other constables, and even some assistance from the ever busy Mrs. Teatime, he does find out what it all means and amuses readers along the way with his humor and his gentle teasing of his supervisor. The various personalities in the town are stereotypical while still having some individuality to keep things interesting.
This is not the "little grey cells" approach of Poirot, but police procedure mixed with small town society and foibles. Perfect for mystery lovers who are looking for a more leisurely pace to reaching the solution and enjoying the journey.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
As usual, Purbright plugs away at the investigation until he finally makes sense of it all. With the help of Sid and the other constables, and even some assistance from the ever busy Mrs. Teatime, he does find out what it all means and amuses readers along the way with his humor and his gentle teasing of his supervisor. The various personalities in the town are stereotypical while still having some individuality to keep things interesting.
This is not the "little grey cells" approach of Poirot, but police procedure mixed with small town society and foibles. Perfect for mystery lovers who are looking for a more leisurely pace to reaching the solution and enjoying the journey.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
July 16, 2018
See all of my reviews at www.robinlovesreading.blogspot.com
What does the death of a young man on a fair ride have to do with an impending divorce of an unhappy couple? I was scratching my head for just a minute or two wondering that very thing. Basically, the story begins with what would seem to most an exciting space ride at a fair. The story makes what appears a sharp right turn to the unhappy marriage of David and Julia Harton. Divorce is on the horizon, but perhaps there is a better way out for Julia?
When Julia is approached by a Mortimer Rothermere of the Happy Endings Agency with a plan as to how she can come about a divorce, with a sizable settlement. Despite how unorthodox Mortimer's plan is, she begins to see that it just may work. The problem is, Mortimer is a con artist of the highest ilk.
Having recently become a fan to Colin Watson's work, it was quite pleasurable to see Inspector Purbright hard at work to expose the actual cause of death of the young man. Purbright is quite intelligent, and brings things together quite nicely. As always when reading one of these novels in this series, there is quite a bit of humor and intrigue. What a delight it is to have Miss Lucilla Teatime as part of this story as well. There are twelve books in this series.
Many thanks to Farrago and to NetGalley for this ARC to review.
Date of publication: June 14, 2018; Originally published in 1977.
What does the death of a young man on a fair ride have to do with an impending divorce of an unhappy couple? I was scratching my head for just a minute or two wondering that very thing. Basically, the story begins with what would seem to most an exciting space ride at a fair. The story makes what appears a sharp right turn to the unhappy marriage of David and Julia Harton. Divorce is on the horizon, but perhaps there is a better way out for Julia?
When Julia is approached by a Mortimer Rothermere of the Happy Endings Agency with a plan as to how she can come about a divorce, with a sizable settlement. Despite how unorthodox Mortimer's plan is, she begins to see that it just may work. The problem is, Mortimer is a con artist of the highest ilk.
Having recently become a fan to Colin Watson's work, it was quite pleasurable to see Inspector Purbright hard at work to expose the actual cause of death of the young man. Purbright is quite intelligent, and brings things together quite nicely. As always when reading one of these novels in this series, there is quite a bit of humor and intrigue. What a delight it is to have Miss Lucilla Teatime as part of this story as well. There are twelve books in this series.
Many thanks to Farrago and to NetGalley for this ARC to review.
Date of publication: June 14, 2018; Originally published in 1977.
September 9, 2018
A young man has fallen out of a carnival ride to his death in the city of Flaxborough. DI Purbright and Sgt. Love are charged with the investigation. While busy with this, the wife of the local dog food manufacturer’s manager goes missing. But her husband thinks she just setting him up to look bad during the divorce proceedings. And then, Miss Teatime is asked for assistance by an old friend who’s in a bit of a muddle with a job he was hired to do by the dog food people and know wants to get out of. When Miss Teatime discovers that dogs have been disappearing from the local shelter you have to wonder what’s to become of Flaxborough. Will Purbright and Love be able to untangle all these knots? You’ll have to get yourself a copy of the book and find out.
You all know how much I have been enjoying this series and this one is no exception. I found this story a little bit different in that much of the story is told from the perspective of those perpetrating the crimes, rather than all from the investigator’s standpoint. The story starts with the riders in the carnival ride shortly before the fall and left me feeling a little off balance right from the start. The drama increase from there and the kidnapping plot gets underway. In the end, Purbright brings the investigation to a mostly satisfying conclusion and Flaxborough returns to its quirky self once again. I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
You all know how much I have been enjoying this series and this one is no exception. I found this story a little bit different in that much of the story is told from the perspective of those perpetrating the crimes, rather than all from the investigator’s standpoint. The story starts with the riders in the carnival ride shortly before the fall and left me feeling a little off balance right from the start. The drama increase from there and the kidnapping plot gets underway. In the end, Purbright brings the investigation to a mostly satisfying conclusion and Flaxborough returns to its quirky self once again. I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
June 19, 2018
A really fun book, this was hard to put down. Watson is an excellent wordsmith and I loved how he put sentences together. The wit was wonderfully dry through out the book. The characters were quirky. I was held captive to find out at first how the two "stories" that were presented in alternating chapters could possibly be related. What a delight to see how they were woven together! It was amazing how so much of the story was orchestrated by higher powers. It makes on wonder about "free will."
The only bad thing is that although we learn how the death presented at the beginning was brought about and who was behind it, we never learn the fates of others who were integral to the subplots! I was left hanging as to the status of the divorce, Mr. Rothermere, the Hortons. I felt that there were lose ends, unanswered questions. Will any of them be addressed in Flazborough Chronicals #10? I guess I will have to read it (and all the others in the series) and see!
The only bad thing is that although we learn how the death presented at the beginning was brought about and who was behind it, we never learn the fates of others who were integral to the subplots! I was left hanging as to the status of the divorce, Mr. Rothermere, the Hortons. I felt that there were lose ends, unanswered questions. Will any of them be addressed in Flazborough Chronicals #10? I guess I will have to read it (and all the others in the series) and see!
May 20, 2018
Skulduggery in the corporate business world features here. Purbright and Love investigate a murder and a disappearance, while sexual shenanigans lurk in the background. Miss Teatime intervenes to get old friend Mortimer Rothermere (né Hive) out of deep trouble.
Yes, it’s another instalment of Colin Watson’s nicely-judged acerbic wit, directed at the good citizens of Flaxborough in this ninth Mystery.
The plot has many neat convolutions and deceptions and there are some scenes which are not for the puritanical reader… but hey-ho, this is the English provinces in the swinging seventies!
A most enjoyable and well-observed addition to this series of welcome re-issues.
Thank you to NetGalley and Farrago (Prelude Books Ltd.) for the digital review copy.
Yes, it’s another instalment of Colin Watson’s nicely-judged acerbic wit, directed at the good citizens of Flaxborough in this ninth Mystery.
The plot has many neat convolutions and deceptions and there are some scenes which are not for the puritanical reader… but hey-ho, this is the English provinces in the swinging seventies!
A most enjoyable and well-observed addition to this series of welcome re-issues.
Thank you to NetGalley and Farrago (Prelude Books Ltd.) for the digital review copy.
September 5, 2018
I enjoyed this one, a return to form after a couple of letdowns in the series. My only real problem with it is the solution to the mystery. I don't mind that Miss Teatime actually solves it, you understand; I like her very much, and I wish she and Purbright had more scenes together in this series as a whole. But I object to the fact that Purbright never even knew about the deeper mystery underneath the surface of the death he's investigating. I would have liked to see him discover what was happening, even if he, like Miss Teatime, ultimately kept the knowledge to himself. Still, a solid entry in the series.
June 7, 2018
****Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review*****
I really liked this. You think that it's going one way, but then it takes a twist. It's got all the regular cast of characters in it - and although you don't actually see that much of the police and their investigation, I liked that and it felt totally in keeping with the series. I could have used a little more of Miss Teatime, but I do really like the under current of scheming big business and business gobbledygook that has come in to the books in the last few titles.
I can't wait for the rerelease of the next one!
I really liked this. You think that it's going one way, but then it takes a twist. It's got all the regular cast of characters in it - and although you don't actually see that much of the police and their investigation, I liked that and it felt totally in keeping with the series. I could have used a little more of Miss Teatime, but I do really like the under current of scheming big business and business gobbledygook that has come in to the books in the last few titles.
I can't wait for the rerelease of the next one!
July 9, 2018
really like Colin Watson's writing. His books are gentle, always involving the same core of characters, and well written.
This one has a forward telling us that the dog-food company in the book shouldn't be misconstrued as a real company, which it could be - up to a point - as it shows itself to be ruthless and very capable of spying on its competitiors - and they on it. Although, in the end, we know WHO did it, on whose behalf is left to the readers mind. I was pleased to see Miss Teatime turn up again. She is a worthy partner to Inspector Purbright - if not so scrupulously honest.
This one has a forward telling us that the dog-food company in the book shouldn't be misconstrued as a real company, which it could be - up to a point - as it shows itself to be ruthless and very capable of spying on its competitiors - and they on it. Although, in the end, we know WHO did it, on whose behalf is left to the readers mind. I was pleased to see Miss Teatime turn up again. She is a worthy partner to Inspector Purbright - if not so scrupulously honest.
May 27, 2018
Another befuddling situation for Inspector Purbright and for his police force to solve that was created by Mr.Mortimer Rothermere of the Happy Endings Agency. To add to this fake disappearance, Purbright has to solve a murder that was committed on and off an amusement ride. Miss Teatime came to Purbright rescue after being persuaded to help by her consociate Mr. Hive. Love how Colin Watson incorporates people and past events from his previous novels into his newest books.
June 16, 2018
A very interesting mystery to be solved. There were some seemingly unrelated mysteries going on that DI Purbright had to solve. But… Is it really unrelated? As things became clearer for Purbright, we got to see things fit into places as well.
Complicated yet compelling story. Might be a bit too complicated for me. I still enjoyed it though.
I was provided a complementary copy by the author / publisher through NetGalley, but this in no way influenced my thoughts or opinions.
Complicated yet compelling story. Might be a bit too complicated for me. I still enjoyed it though.
I was provided a complementary copy by the author / publisher through NetGalley, but this in no way influenced my thoughts or opinions.
July 10, 2018
The first, and I hope only, Flaxborough mystery that I had to put aside - this one starts off a little too mean-spirited for me and the strange abusiveness between Julia and her husband really, really put me off. I couldn't tell you about the mystery or how these two horrible adults fit into the fair ride death that begins the novel, but I'm sure Mr. Watson stitches them together nicely. A pass for me.
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.
June 19, 2018
This is another fine entry in the very witty Flaxborough series. Watson's use of language and double-entendre is classic - the title doesn't mean what you think it means, except maybe it does... As with most in this series, the plot is fun, but read it for the characters. They are all a little bit crazy, without being over the top.
December 28, 2019
I'm not sure how I missed this Flaxborough romp. It is wildly creative from its misleading opening, its great "World from the Author" to Miss Teatime and multiple conflicting scams since, as usual, Flaxborough's scam artists are a cut above.
I take it that It Shouldn't Happen to a Dog is also published under One Man's Meat.
I take it that It Shouldn't Happen to a Dog is also published under One Man's Meat.
July 19, 2018
Love this series! Always a pleasure to visit Flaxborough. The characters are excellent and the writing and dialogue is first rate! I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
September 12, 2024
I so enjoy this series.
I especially enjoy Miss Teatime. If you can see the video series of these books…Murder Most English. She is so well acted. The books are marvelous and so is the series on TV.
I especially enjoy Miss Teatime. If you can see the video series of these books…Murder Most English. She is so well acted. The books are marvelous and so is the series on TV.
March 4, 2019
Bawdier than some, and some loose ends in the plot are never resolved, but this is entertaining and even a little poignant.
March 11, 2025
Brilliant!
June 18, 2009
This is as amusing as any of Colin Watson's book, but some may find elements of the plot distasteful. A betrayed, unhappy wife agrees to a plot to make her loathsome husband pony up in a divorce settlement--but doesn't realize that she's being ensnared by people who don't have her interests at heart. Fortunately for the wife, Inspector Purbright has a good memory, and Miss Lucilla Teatime takes an interest in the matter.
February 1, 2014
I found this lurking on my shelf and couldn't remember reading it. I have decided to keep it as I think I might enjoy reading it again. I'm not sure what I liked about it - I think some of the text was over-thought and I'm not convinced the story actually stacked up. I think that may be why I don't remember the ending!
September 26, 2018
I enjoy reading the Colin Watson Flaxborough books. I really like Inspector Purbright and DS Love, as well as the other regulars. I did find parts of this one hard to read as one of the characters was such a rotter that his behavior tired me out, but honestly I was able to skip a bit of the scenes that he was in and still catch up.
July 16, 2019
Another dry as a bone witty crime romp. The wonderful Inspector Purbright and his team plod diligently and intelligently on and get to the bottom of it all in the end. There's a fine and twisted blend of crime passionel and corporate skulduggery, shady characters with hearts of gold (or silver gilt) and police and other justice personnel getting on with their jobs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews