What do you think?
Chief Inspector Littlejohn #23
The Cursing Stones Murder
The Manx Shearwater was scallop dredging—but it dragged up a body from the water instead. Considering that the corpse was tied at the ankles and weighed down with stones, it’s clear this was no accidental drowning—and now the locals are in an uproar.
The victim appears to be Cedric Levis, who had an extravagant house and a reputation for philandering. Was Levis murdered for his money—or was this a crime of passion? Under the pretext of a holiday, Chief Inspector Littlejohn is invited by his old friend Archdeacon Kinrade to unofficially assist with the murder investigation—but to separate fact from fiction, he’ll have to sort through accusations, town gossip, and mysterious stories surrounding the ancient Cursing Stones . . .
The victim appears to be Cedric Levis, who had an extravagant house and a reputation for philandering. Was Levis murdered for his money—or was this a crime of passion? Under the pretext of a holiday, Chief Inspector Littlejohn is invited by his old friend Archdeacon Kinrade to unofficially assist with the murder investigation—but to separate fact from fiction, he’ll have to sort through accusations, town gossip, and mysterious stories surrounding the ancient Cursing Stones . . .
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1954
About the author
George Bellairs
76 books104 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
April 6, 2026
The novel takes place on the Isle of Man. The Manx Shearwater, while dredging for scallops, brings up a body. As the local police don't seem to make much progress, Archdeacon Kinrade contacts his friend Inspector Littlejohn and invites him to the island to unofficially assist in the investigation.
I have liked this series in the past and see that I liked it enough to have acquired several titles. I'm not certain I could have said exactly why I like it. There were two places which made it quite clear to me. First, was the author description:
I have liked this series in the past and see that I liked it enough to have acquired several titles. I'm not certain I could have said exactly why I like it. There were two places which made it quite clear to me. First, was the author description:
He was, by day, a Manchester bank manager with close connections to the University of Manchester. He is often referred to as the English Simenon, as his detective stories combine wicked crimes and classic police procedurals, set in quaint villages.It is the reference to Georges Simenon that made the connection for me. I like Simenon's Inspector Maigret series in particular. But there is another correlation between Littlejohn and Maigret. About 2/3 into the novel, Littlejohn describes himself thusly:
I'm not a Sherlock Holmes, an intellectual detective, who sits in an armchair and solves his cases. Neither am I a scientific one, hunting for clues, fingerprints, cracking alibis. I've always depended on my simple knowledge of human nature. I've tried to get background, the feel of cases, to soak myself in the environment of crimes and those who commit them.This installment of Littlejohn is wrapped up quite nicely. I like it when there are no loose ends that have me go off wondering how and why. When I'd finished I wondered if this was just 3 stars, but as I think about it, I'm inclined to find a 4th.
October 31, 2016
Wonderfully satisfying depiction of the Isle of Man, the ports, the weather, the boats and perfectly charming portrayals of the lively residents. The book begins with the discovery of a body by a fishing boat dredging for scallops and finding more. The body is placed atop the scallops. News travels in Peel Bay and the curious pick up bits of info and blow them up, about and around to all. Constable Perrick seemed stymied as to the identity of the corpse, and "it looked as if the case would have to go in the unsolved files."
A housekeeper, Mrs. Ashworth, began to cause a fuss about a parcel of letters she had forwarded to a hotel in San Remo where her employer instructed her to send his things - but the letters were returned as well as a bill from the hotel for the room never claimed by Mr. Levis, her employer. The mail clerk and Mrs. Ashworth "stood there almost in attitudes of silent prayer pondering the wickedness of the world, trying to think out a solution." P.C. Lowery came into sight on his bicycle at that moment and they hailed him for a consult. They showed him the returned letters and asked what it could mean.
"Like a pair of operatic stars singing a duet, Mr. Cubbin and Mrs. Ashworth told the bobby their tale, now one speaking, now the other, then both at once, and finally Mrs. Ashworth alone in a burst of overwhelming coloratura."
Chief Inspector Littlejohn is eventually called to come for a visit by his friend the Archdeacon Kinrade. He and his wife had been packed and were preparing for a wine tour, but happily unpacked and repacked with appropriate clothing for the changeable weather of the Isle of Man.
Initially the plea for help was based on the Archdeacon's fondness for a young man who was being accused of a murder he was certain he could not have planned or executed. As Littlejohn and his wife and dog settle in, they find a complex web of duplicity and danger. The murder investigation is interesting, peppered as it is with highly colorful characters as well as the Manx language treats.
This is a very enjoyable read, available through Amazon's Kindle Unlimited. Having read several Littlejohn books now, I believe I like this one the best so far. He brings the sea, the boats that toil in it and the people who lived apart from the mainland in relative isolation wonderfully alive.
A housekeeper, Mrs. Ashworth, began to cause a fuss about a parcel of letters she had forwarded to a hotel in San Remo where her employer instructed her to send his things - but the letters were returned as well as a bill from the hotel for the room never claimed by Mr. Levis, her employer. The mail clerk and Mrs. Ashworth "stood there almost in attitudes of silent prayer pondering the wickedness of the world, trying to think out a solution." P.C. Lowery came into sight on his bicycle at that moment and they hailed him for a consult. They showed him the returned letters and asked what it could mean.
"Like a pair of operatic stars singing a duet, Mr. Cubbin and Mrs. Ashworth told the bobby their tale, now one speaking, now the other, then both at once, and finally Mrs. Ashworth alone in a burst of overwhelming coloratura."
Chief Inspector Littlejohn is eventually called to come for a visit by his friend the Archdeacon Kinrade. He and his wife had been packed and were preparing for a wine tour, but happily unpacked and repacked with appropriate clothing for the changeable weather of the Isle of Man.
Initially the plea for help was based on the Archdeacon's fondness for a young man who was being accused of a murder he was certain he could not have planned or executed. As Littlejohn and his wife and dog settle in, they find a complex web of duplicity and danger. The murder investigation is interesting, peppered as it is with highly colorful characters as well as the Manx language treats.
This is a very enjoyable read, available through Amazon's Kindle Unlimited. Having read several Littlejohn books now, I believe I like this one the best so far. He brings the sea, the boats that toil in it and the people who lived apart from the mainland in relative isolation wonderfully alive.
July 31, 2020
The eponymous “Cursing Stones” is a farm, and really has no bearing on this wonderful mystery, the 23rd in a series featuring Chief Inspector Thomas Littlejohn. In this novel, a wealthy womanizer turns up dead, and Littlejohn is summoned by his pal, the Archdeacon of the Isle of Man, to prove that the local police have the wrong man. What an irony for a policeman!
The novel has quite a few twists and a surprise ending, although the perpetrator’s rationale seems a bit implausible. Still, I truly enjoyed every minute.
The novel has quite a few twists and a surprise ending, although the perpetrator’s rationale seems a bit implausible. Still, I truly enjoyed every minute.
December 3, 2017
“I’m not a Sherlock Holmes, an intellectual detective, who sits in an armchair and solves his cases. Neither am I a scientific one, hunting for clues, fingerprints, cracking alibis. I've always depended on my simple knowledge of human nature. I've tried to get background, the feel of cases, to soak myself in the environment of crimes and those who commit them. I've grown to depend on the solution coming almost instinctively, or subconsciously, after I've got to know all the parties and their homes and their circumstances in a case.”
Bellairs, George. The Cursing Stones Murder (An Inspector Littlejohn Mystery) (Kindle Locations 2613-2616).
This is the first time I have seen a statement of Tom Littlejohn’s methodology. His reason for giving it here is that , for the first time, as far as I am able to remember, he feels that it has not been entirely successful.
Littlejohn is invited to return to the Isle of Man by Archdeacon Kinrade to look into the murder of a rich, unpleasant womaniser named Levis. The official investigation is headed by Inspector Sid Perrick, a competent and thorough officer whom Littlejohn instinctively likes.
There are plenty of suspects, but also plenty of people withholding vital information.Eventually Littlejohn and Cromwell uncover the truth and there is a dramatic resolution to a puzzling case.
Bellairs’ great affinity with the Manx people, language and landscape shines through this novel.It has been interesting to me to find similarities between the Gaelic of Mann and Scottish Gaelic. Some readers may feel that these aspects are distracting, but, as far as I am concerned, they enhance the novel immensely.
Bellairs, George. The Cursing Stones Murder (An Inspector Littlejohn Mystery) (Kindle Locations 2613-2616).
This is the first time I have seen a statement of Tom Littlejohn’s methodology. His reason for giving it here is that , for the first time, as far as I am able to remember, he feels that it has not been entirely successful.
Littlejohn is invited to return to the Isle of Man by Archdeacon Kinrade to look into the murder of a rich, unpleasant womaniser named Levis. The official investigation is headed by Inspector Sid Perrick, a competent and thorough officer whom Littlejohn instinctively likes.
There are plenty of suspects, but also plenty of people withholding vital information.Eventually Littlejohn and Cromwell uncover the truth and there is a dramatic resolution to a puzzling case.
Bellairs’ great affinity with the Manx people, language and landscape shines through this novel.It has been interesting to me to find similarities between the Gaelic of Mann and Scottish Gaelic. Some readers may feel that these aspects are distracting, but, as far as I am concerned, they enhance the novel immensely.
September 28, 2021
Excellent mystery in the Littlejohn series. A man is dredged up by a boat hunting scallops off the Isle of Man. After a local man is arrested for the dead man's murder, Archdeacon Kinrade asks Littlejohn to visit and unofficially help solve the murder. Littlejohn brings his wife and tries to make a vacation of it, despite a tremendous storm and someone trying to run them off the road. The corpse is eventually identified as Cedric Levis, a local philander who has been spotted with numerous women, including Pam Farrows, wife of one of the local doctors. Although the local inspector Sid Perrick seems glad to see Littlejohn, with whom he worked on an earlier case, it also seems as though he's overly curious about what Littlejohn is finding out, including tapping his phone. There are a fair number of suspects and a sad, if satisfying ending.
December 18, 2022
An excellent crime classic from 1954 a fishing boat brings up a body then loads of little red herrings swimming around the area pop up.
January 10, 2020
I think this is my 3rd or 4th inspector LittleJohn novel. This one started out a bit slowly, although I love being drawn into a novel so I tend to be a patient reader. The author’s description of The Isle of Man really made me feel like I was there. I could almost feel the sharp breeze and smell the salt water.
A very nicely crafted mystery. Keeps you guessing throughout and provides some very interesting characters. I didn’t give it 5 stars just because I thought it dragged a bit more than I would like.
Great story, well written. Definitely recommend.
A very nicely crafted mystery. Keeps you guessing throughout and provides some very interesting characters. I didn’t give it 5 stars just because I thought it dragged a bit more than I would like.
Great story, well written. Definitely recommend.
September 2, 2018
Terrific read. The Isle of Man, competently conjured, draws me in and holds my interest along with the rich array of local characters and the usual regulars. The pace is steadily maintained and takes the reader along for the ride.
My only criticism is that the resolution cheats s little, sliding away from the hard edge of justice in favour of convenience. It’s neat and comfortable but avoids the hard issues. This is a minor disappointment - not enough to stop me reading more.
My only criticism is that the resolution cheats s little, sliding away from the hard edge of justice in favour of convenience. It’s neat and comfortable but avoids the hard issues. This is a minor disappointment - not enough to stop me reading more.
January 8, 2013
As this was the first of Bellairs's books that I ever read and it started me on collecting his books, I decided to read it again and have upgraded it from 3 to 4 stars. I now have over 50 of his titles and (nearly) always enjoy them.
June 7, 2025
Another busman's holiday for Inspector Littlejohn.
Littlejohn is an old fire horse. Mention the word "corpse" and he's ready to investigate, even when he's supposed to be on holiday. He and Mrs Littlejohn are packed to go on a wine-tasting tour in France when a call comes from old friend Caesar Kinrade, Archdeacon of the Isle of Man. A murder has been committed and the venerable parson is afraid that an innocent local boy is going to be arrested for it.
Littlejohn agrees, both out of respect for the Archdeacon and because the Isle is a special place for him, as it was for his creator. The English bank manager who wrote as George Bellairs vacationed on the Isle of Man frequently, eventually retired there, and died there at a ripe old age. The Inspector's good-natured wife simply unpacks their summer clothes and packs warmer ones. Was Mrs George Bellairs as pleasant and accommodating as Letty Littlejohn? If she was, it explains why this series reads like it was written by a happy man.
The body was hauled out to sea and weighted with rocks. A scallop-dredger pulls him up and the mystery of what happened to Cedric Levis is solved. But who-dunit?
Cedric is the most unpopular man on the Isle. A "come-over", he arrived with plenty of money, built an ostentatious house on a high bluff above the sea, filled it with scandalous paintings, and entertains scantily-dressed young ladies there. The Isle is a conservative rural area and no one approves of Levis.
If he stuck to bringing over ladies for his parties, there would be less resentment, but the Isle produces some beautiful girls and Levis liked to sweep them off their feet with his expensive car, his fancy house, and his sophistication. When he turns up murdered, suspicion falls on Johnny Corteen, a local boy recently returned from military service. Levis got Johnny's sister Fenella pregnant, tried to deny it, then was forced to make small payments for the child's upkeep. The angry brother is heard swearing revenge.
Inspector Sid Perrick reluctantly arrests Johnny Corteen, but local opinion is against it. Archdeacon Kinrade doesn't believe the boy is capable of murder. Others think he might have murdered Levis, but was justified in doing so.
Littlejohn and Perrick get along well, although Perrick makes it clear that he's not calling in Scotland Yard. He seems to have no objection to Littlejohn investigating, but he keeps a close eye on him to see what information he's turning up.
Fenella Corteen was by no means the only local woman Levis had an affair with. Dr Fallows is a popular medic, but rumor has it that he was forced to move to the Isle because of his wife's blatant affairs with other men. She's an architect and her partner knew Levis first. She claims to be engaged and unworried that Levis dumped her for Pam Fallows, but is she telling the truth?
Finally, farmer/sailor Ned Crowe is angry because his beautiful daughter Margat has run away with Levis. Margat thinks Levis is going to marry her, but her father doubts it. Did he bash Levis' head in and sink his body in the sea?
The town relaxes when Johnny Corteen is released, but eventually someone must be charged with the murder. Dr Fallows is frantically trying to protect his wife from suspicion. And Littlejohn feels more strongly all along that Inspector Perrick is working his own line and preventing the Scotland Yard Inspector from collecting evidence. It could be professional jealousy, but Littlejohn is impressed with Perrick's abilities and suspects there's more to the story.
In the end, one of the Isle's deadly storms decides the issue. Bellairs' love of the Isle of Man shines through and makes the setting a major part of the story. I like this series, especially when Inspector Littlejohn gets to take a case on the Isle of Man.
Littlejohn is an old fire horse. Mention the word "corpse" and he's ready to investigate, even when he's supposed to be on holiday. He and Mrs Littlejohn are packed to go on a wine-tasting tour in France when a call comes from old friend Caesar Kinrade, Archdeacon of the Isle of Man. A murder has been committed and the venerable parson is afraid that an innocent local boy is going to be arrested for it.
Littlejohn agrees, both out of respect for the Archdeacon and because the Isle is a special place for him, as it was for his creator. The English bank manager who wrote as George Bellairs vacationed on the Isle of Man frequently, eventually retired there, and died there at a ripe old age. The Inspector's good-natured wife simply unpacks their summer clothes and packs warmer ones. Was Mrs George Bellairs as pleasant and accommodating as Letty Littlejohn? If she was, it explains why this series reads like it was written by a happy man.
The body was hauled out to sea and weighted with rocks. A scallop-dredger pulls him up and the mystery of what happened to Cedric Levis is solved. But who-dunit?
Cedric is the most unpopular man on the Isle. A "come-over", he arrived with plenty of money, built an ostentatious house on a high bluff above the sea, filled it with scandalous paintings, and entertains scantily-dressed young ladies there. The Isle is a conservative rural area and no one approves of Levis.
If he stuck to bringing over ladies for his parties, there would be less resentment, but the Isle produces some beautiful girls and Levis liked to sweep them off their feet with his expensive car, his fancy house, and his sophistication. When he turns up murdered, suspicion falls on Johnny Corteen, a local boy recently returned from military service. Levis got Johnny's sister Fenella pregnant, tried to deny it, then was forced to make small payments for the child's upkeep. The angry brother is heard swearing revenge.
Inspector Sid Perrick reluctantly arrests Johnny Corteen, but local opinion is against it. Archdeacon Kinrade doesn't believe the boy is capable of murder. Others think he might have murdered Levis, but was justified in doing so.
Littlejohn and Perrick get along well, although Perrick makes it clear that he's not calling in Scotland Yard. He seems to have no objection to Littlejohn investigating, but he keeps a close eye on him to see what information he's turning up.
Fenella Corteen was by no means the only local woman Levis had an affair with. Dr Fallows is a popular medic, but rumor has it that he was forced to move to the Isle because of his wife's blatant affairs with other men. She's an architect and her partner knew Levis first. She claims to be engaged and unworried that Levis dumped her for Pam Fallows, but is she telling the truth?
Finally, farmer/sailor Ned Crowe is angry because his beautiful daughter Margat has run away with Levis. Margat thinks Levis is going to marry her, but her father doubts it. Did he bash Levis' head in and sink his body in the sea?
The town relaxes when Johnny Corteen is released, but eventually someone must be charged with the murder. Dr Fallows is frantically trying to protect his wife from suspicion. And Littlejohn feels more strongly all along that Inspector Perrick is working his own line and preventing the Scotland Yard Inspector from collecting evidence. It could be professional jealousy, but Littlejohn is impressed with Perrick's abilities and suspects there's more to the story.
In the end, one of the Isle's deadly storms decides the issue. Bellairs' love of the Isle of Man shines through and makes the setting a major part of the story. I like this series, especially when Inspector Littlejohn gets to take a case on the Isle of Man.
August 8, 2018
' While Scallop dredging off the Isle of Man, the Manx Shearwater drags up the body of Cedric Levis, a philanderer with an unsavoury reputation. Chief Inspector Littlejohn of Scotland Yard is invited by his old friend Archdeacon Kinrade to spend a holiday on the Island with him to investigate unofficially the occurrences at Cursing Stones. In collaboration with the local police, he does so, and finds the case to be the strangest he has ever been called upon to solve. '
Blurb from the 1954 Thriller Book Club Edition
Off the coast of The Isle of Man the body of a notorious Lothario, Levis, is trapped in scallop fishing nets and trawled from the depths of the sea, his trousers weighted with stones. The local police appear to have no decent leads and suspicion has fallen on a young fisherman. Archdeacon Kinrade rings his friend Inspector Littlejohn with a request that he visit the island and assist the local Inspector with a view to clearing the young man's name.
Suspects abound, since Levis was a man of questionable morals, seducing the women of the island at every opportunity before abandoning them when the next victim came along. There are spurned women, angry husbands, brothers and fathers, and disapproving moralistic locals. Despite this, the islanders seem loth to help Littlejohn in his enquiries and things become sinister when his own life appears to be threatened.
Bellairs must have been very fond of The Isle of Man as he moved there on his retirement and remained there until his death in 1982, which renders the scene-setting particularly good.
The characters in this book are less caricatured than in earlier works where humour flourished in the natural flow of speech providing an almost satirical edge to the narrative. One might feel that the author loved the islanders so much that he had little to criticise. The one very minor character that fits this mould is - perhaps a veiled self portrait - an Englishman who uses the local phrases and vernacular in an attempt to turn himself into a true Manxman.
That's not to say that characterisation is not good. As usual all the characters are fully rounded with distinct personalities but they lack the eccentric touches that the author has employed elsewhere.
It is nevertheless a well plotted piece with distractions, red herrings and a twist I was not expecting.
A very entertaining read despite the lack of Bellair's biting satirical edge.
Blurb from the 1954 Thriller Book Club Edition
Off the coast of The Isle of Man the body of a notorious Lothario, Levis, is trapped in scallop fishing nets and trawled from the depths of the sea, his trousers weighted with stones. The local police appear to have no decent leads and suspicion has fallen on a young fisherman. Archdeacon Kinrade rings his friend Inspector Littlejohn with a request that he visit the island and assist the local Inspector with a view to clearing the young man's name.
Suspects abound, since Levis was a man of questionable morals, seducing the women of the island at every opportunity before abandoning them when the next victim came along. There are spurned women, angry husbands, brothers and fathers, and disapproving moralistic locals. Despite this, the islanders seem loth to help Littlejohn in his enquiries and things become sinister when his own life appears to be threatened.
Bellairs must have been very fond of The Isle of Man as he moved there on his retirement and remained there until his death in 1982, which renders the scene-setting particularly good.
The characters in this book are less caricatured than in earlier works where humour flourished in the natural flow of speech providing an almost satirical edge to the narrative. One might feel that the author loved the islanders so much that he had little to criticise. The one very minor character that fits this mould is - perhaps a veiled self portrait - an Englishman who uses the local phrases and vernacular in an attempt to turn himself into a true Manxman.
That's not to say that characterisation is not good. As usual all the characters are fully rounded with distinct personalities but they lack the eccentric touches that the author has employed elsewhere.
It is nevertheless a well plotted piece with distractions, red herrings and a twist I was not expecting.
A very entertaining read despite the lack of Bellair's biting satirical edge.
July 6, 2017
A man's body is caught in the net of a fishing boat and it appears a innocent man may be charged with his murder, so the Arch Deacon from the IOM calls on his good friend Littlejohn. As Scotland Yard hasn't been called to help Littlejohn can't get involved officially but he can't ignore the pleas of his good friend, with the company of his wife Letty, plus Meg the Old English Sheep dog they head of to the IOM. With the help of his good friend and assistant Cromwell in the background Littlejohn is on the case. Plenty of twists and some good George Bellairs humour this is a great treat to feast your eyes upon. Please be warned though you may not be able to put it down until you get to the last page, but no worries there are lots in the Littlejohn series to fill the gap and feed you some more. I highly recommend this book I loved it.
September 23, 2018
Early Bird Book Deal | Mixed feelings | This was only the second from the series that I've read, and I certainly enjoyed this one more than that other. Littlejohn was a more complete character, and I simply liked him more as a person, and the actual writing was better (the other was an early effort, rife with unnecessary ellipses). But the pacing was poor and the obviousness of one character--we'll call them an accessory after the fact--left me annoyed by how clueless everyone was. Very early on I knew that character was either the killer or heavily involved, and couldn't see why nobody else considered them. Some of the characters veered into caricature, particularly Dr Fallows, but overall this was a perfectly acceptable read.
December 20, 2019
A Great English Littlejohn Mystery by Bellairs
I so totally enjoy reading the crime/mystery books by George Bellairs. Of course the stories occurred in another time without cell phones etc. They style is laid back detecting and at a slower speed than in 2020.
I gave the book 5 stars, it held my attention, the writing was of perfect quality...and this time led me on a hunt regarding certain names in our family lineage...which may offer surprises, I love the various dialects and the fully developed characters. I highly recommend to reading this book if British crime style books intrigue you.
I so totally enjoy reading the crime/mystery books by George Bellairs. Of course the stories occurred in another time without cell phones etc. They style is laid back detecting and at a slower speed than in 2020.
I gave the book 5 stars, it held my attention, the writing was of perfect quality...and this time led me on a hunt regarding certain names in our family lineage...which may offer surprises, I love the various dialects and the fully developed characters. I highly recommend to reading this book if British crime style books intrigue you.
December 12, 2019
Scotland Yard Chief Inspector Longjohn is drawn to a murder case on the Isle of Man at the behest of his old friend the Archbishop. A local womanizer is dredged up from the sea by a scallop boat with his pants stuffed with rocks, clearly meant to weight down the body. Longjohn investigates informally, having no official status on the Isle.
The pleasures of this book are many, starting with a pretty good plot sprinkled with surprising twists, interesting characters, and a powerfully drawn sense of place. I’m ready for a vacation on the Isle of Man.
The pleasures of this book are many, starting with a pretty good plot sprinkled with surprising twists, interesting characters, and a powerfully drawn sense of place. I’m ready for a vacation on the Isle of Man.
October 7, 2024
Bellairs had some fans in his day and was prolific. From this example I’m not sure why. He could be seen as a transitional golden age to more modern writer of detective fiction leaning more towards the golden. His style here wasn’t a thing like Patricia Highsmith, Ross MacDonald or others writing at this time.
I was curious having never read one of these Inspector Littlejohn books. Bellairs was a professional banker who retired to the Isle of Man where this book is set. Too many suspects, nothing new and an inspector who doesn’t catch my interest.
I was curious having never read one of these Inspector Littlejohn books. Bellairs was a professional banker who retired to the Isle of Man where this book is set. Too many suspects, nothing new and an inspector who doesn’t catch my interest.
June 19, 2018
Beautifully written book with Isle of Man as the backdrop. Good use of local color. I also find it helpful (but not absolutely necessary) to pull up a google map of Isle of Man to to get a sense of where the various towns mentioned in the book relate to each other geographically. George Bellairs did a good job moving the story forward at a good speed and there are a good amount of detective works (and red herrings) involved.
July 1, 2018
Another good episode. A great sense of place with detailed descriptions of the Manx scenery - makes me wish I was back on the Hebridean islands for my holidays.
A good list of suspects, a sprinkling of red herrings and a fantastic storming finale.
The only thing that jarred a little was that, from time to time, the relationships descended into Famous Five territory, with descriptions of scrumptious food and everyone being so frightfully nice to each other.
A good list of suspects, a sprinkling of red herrings and a fantastic storming finale.
The only thing that jarred a little was that, from time to time, the relationships descended into Famous Five territory, with descriptions of scrumptious food and everyone being so frightfully nice to each other.
February 4, 2020
This story takes place on an island off the coast of Britain full of rough sailors and rugged farmers. Chief Inspector Littlejohn is invited by the local pastor to come over from the mainland to help solve the murder of a local ladies' man. Given that he courted many women on the island, much to the distress of their husbands, brothers, lovers, and fathers, there's no shortage of suspects.
A good mystery with a surprising ending.
A good mystery with a surprising ending.
July 9, 2020
This was not my favorite type of murder mystery. I loved reading about the Isle of Man, and I certainly liked the characters; but, it felt like the book was going round, and round, like a merry-go-round. It just seemed there was no focus. Who did the dirty deed? First, it was everybody then nobody, then somebody, then back to nobody. I almost lost complete interest. At the end, I really didn't care who did it. I was just glad I finished the book.
January 5, 2021
Plods along
Reading this book was an empty experience; I was unmoved by every aspect, including plot, dialogue, characters, etc. Even though I read it in one sitting, the story seemed long as it dragged with countless Manx sayings and superficial descriptions. No excitement, suspense or any kind of momentum. I am a voracious reader, but my literary appetite is totally unsatisfied with this ho-hum tale.
Reading this book was an empty experience; I was unmoved by every aspect, including plot, dialogue, characters, etc. Even though I read it in one sitting, the story seemed long as it dragged with countless Manx sayings and superficial descriptions. No excitement, suspense or any kind of momentum. I am a voracious reader, but my literary appetite is totally unsatisfied with this ho-hum tale.
April 10, 2019
A good solid mystery with twists. What make this book stand out is the portrayal of the Isle of Man, the weather, the sea, and the unique people who live there. Particularly in this book I felt the relationship the Isle of Man has with sea and its very violent mood changes. I missed some of the humor of the earlier books but still a good read.
October 14, 2019
Dated mystery
By-the-book old-style who-dunnit. Written many years ago. Tons of red herrings and out-of-the blue reveals, so connecting the dots really not an option. It’s a series, but I’m done with one. Very dated in terms of social mores, especially when it comes to women. Don’t recommend.
By-the-book old-style who-dunnit. Written many years ago. Tons of red herrings and out-of-the blue reveals, so connecting the dots really not an option. It’s a series, but I’m done with one. Very dated in terms of social mores, especially when it comes to women. Don’t recommend.
June 25, 2020
This just seemed to take forever to read considering that it is just barely 300 pages long. Inspector Littlejohn is fairly boring and his wife is barely present. Even the descriptions of the Isle of Mann couldn't seem to make up for a lackluster plot. It wasn't terrible but not good either. Just kind of blah.
August 8, 2020
Interesting if complicated mystery on the island of Man. Littlejohn of Scotland Yard is called by his friend the vicar to help an innocent man accused of murder. Many red herrings that were convincing! Doctor and wife, enraged father, enraged boyfriends, exlovers... Final scene of maritime disaster in a storm! Dey’s exmachina?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2024
3 1/2 rounded up.
This is my first George Bellairs. I used to see his books in the mystery section so I thought I would give it a try.
I have never read a book set on the Isle of Man. The locals have an Irish feel about them. Between the people and the weather, there is a lot of atmosphere.
The mystery was good. The people were mostly likable.
Recommended.
This is my first George Bellairs. I used to see his books in the mystery section so I thought I would give it a try.
I have never read a book set on the Isle of Man. The locals have an Irish feel about them. Between the people and the weather, there is a lot of atmosphere.
The mystery was good. The people were mostly likable.
Recommended.
March 18, 2018
Always a great story!
These are all wonderful books by this author! You'll not regret reading them! I went to the website to get a correct list of the order of the books. You'll find it helps to know the order & yrs they were written..
These are all wonderful books by this author! You'll not regret reading them! I went to the website to get a correct list of the order of the books. You'll find it helps to know the order & yrs they were written..
March 23, 2018
The books by this author have it all. Great plots, a wonderful main character and gorgeous settings. His writing is superb as well. Just look at this description, "The place seemed charged with a grim sadness, as though hope had gone and despair moved in."
I do believe this is going to keep me happy for quite a few weeks.
I do believe this is going to keep me happy for quite a few weeks.
August 25, 2026
I was surprised that this book was written in 2017. Although I understand that it takes place around the 1950’s the feel is too stodgy and there is too much repetition of going ons. No need to read this author again.
July 3, 2017
Another terrific Littlejohn mystery. Bellairs never disappoints.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews