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Chief Inspector Littlejohn #53
Devious Murder
First published in 1973, Devious Murder is a Chief Inspector Littlejohn mystery full of intrigue, tantalising clues and colourful characters.
Whilst taking the dog out for the last walk of a rainy day, Inspector Littlejohn of Scotland Yard stumbles across a dead body. Recognising it as Charles Blunt, a thief he crossed paths with and admired many years before, Littlejohn is determined to solve the case. But where did the body come from? What was it doing in front of a deserted house? And why, after all these years, had Charles Blunt finally come to a sticky end?
Looking into the life of Blunt drags Littlejohn into the complex love triangles and debauchery of the filthy rich, and all of the scandal that goes with it.
Whilst taking the dog out for the last walk of a rainy day, Inspector Littlejohn of Scotland Yard stumbles across a dead body. Recognising it as Charles Blunt, a thief he crossed paths with and admired many years before, Littlejohn is determined to solve the case. But where did the body come from? What was it doing in front of a deserted house? And why, after all these years, had Charles Blunt finally come to a sticky end?
Looking into the life of Blunt drags Littlejohn into the complex love triangles and debauchery of the filthy rich, and all of the scandal that goes with it.
182 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
25 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
George Bellairs
73 books101 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 9, 2020
The best thing about these classes is like Agatha Christie they can be read in any order no spoilers which just as well because they are 57 stories some out of print. Bellairs has created wonderful crime mystery that is like sipping malt whisky.
This wet walk with the dog at night leads to dead pickpocket to Littlejohn investageing his murder but this hasn't dated and like his other books is well written. If you looking for enjoyable mystery with no swearing or sexual terms that can easily be read from age of 12 I would have.
My copy has different cover
This wet walk with the dog at night leads to dead pickpocket to Littlejohn investageing his murder but this hasn't dated and like his other books is well written. If you looking for enjoyable mystery with no swearing or sexual terms that can easily be read from age of 12 I would have.
My copy has different cover
November 24, 2018
Devious Murder (1973) by George Bellairs is the 53rd novel in the Chief Inspector Littlejohn series and the first one I've ever found in my various bookshop and book sale scavenger hunts. This story features the investigation into the murder of Charles Blunt, a discreet and highly successful cat burglar who had eluded the grasp of the police for years though he had been the chief suspect in many in a robbery. Blunt always planned his robberies meticulously, never resorted to violence, and worked alone--all factors which led to his success.
Littlejohn takes his dog out for the last walk of the day and discovers Blunt's body at the gates of an abandoned house. The Chief Inspector decides to take a hand in the case (though it's technically not on his patch) and there are many questions that immediately arise. What was Blunt doing in that area? Why was his body left at the gates? Why, after years of working alone, are there clues pointing to confederates? And is this a case of thieves falling out?
Littlejohn and Scotland Yard follow the clues back to a luxury flat that seems to be out of Blunt's price range. But when he discovers that the flat just happens to overlook the estate of an American multi-millionaire who has lavished his younger, spendthrift wife with jewels of every sort things become clear. Blunt obviously had taken the apartment to prepare for his next jewelry heist. From his luxurious perch he could see exactly where the jewels were kept and he could scope out the security measures. But who killed him and left him in Littlejohn's neighborhood?
Despite the fact that I'm entering Littlejohn's career fairly late in the game, this was a fine introduction to the Chief Inspector and his detecting world. The characters are strong and well-defined and Littlejohn is solid investigator with a nicely developed sense of humor. This is a police procedural in construction, so Bellairs is not so much concerned with dropping clues here and there for the reader to spot and try to outwit the detective. There's not much chance to get to the solution before Littlejohn, but the investigation and the Chief Inspector's manner of conducting it are interesting enough to keep the reader's attention.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
Littlejohn takes his dog out for the last walk of the day and discovers Blunt's body at the gates of an abandoned house. The Chief Inspector decides to take a hand in the case (though it's technically not on his patch) and there are many questions that immediately arise. What was Blunt doing in that area? Why was his body left at the gates? Why, after years of working alone, are there clues pointing to confederates? And is this a case of thieves falling out?
Littlejohn and Scotland Yard follow the clues back to a luxury flat that seems to be out of Blunt's price range. But when he discovers that the flat just happens to overlook the estate of an American multi-millionaire who has lavished his younger, spendthrift wife with jewels of every sort things become clear. Blunt obviously had taken the apartment to prepare for his next jewelry heist. From his luxurious perch he could see exactly where the jewels were kept and he could scope out the security measures. But who killed him and left him in Littlejohn's neighborhood?
Despite the fact that I'm entering Littlejohn's career fairly late in the game, this was a fine introduction to the Chief Inspector and his detecting world. The characters are strong and well-defined and Littlejohn is solid investigator with a nicely developed sense of humor. This is a police procedural in construction, so Bellairs is not so much concerned with dropping clues here and there for the reader to spot and try to outwit the detective. There's not much chance to get to the solution before Littlejohn, but the investigation and the Chief Inspector's manner of conducting it are interesting enough to keep the reader's attention.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
June 8, 2021
While walking his dog, Chief Superintendent Thomas Littlejohn finds the fresh corpse of a gentleman burglar, “the best cracksman in the world,” named Charles Blunt. The forensics team soon determines that Blunt was not killed where he was found. Who would want to kill a mostly harmless jewel thief?
I loved this novel, as it featured Littlejohn’s sidekick, Robert Cromwell, now promoted to superintendent himself. As always, Cromwell does not disappoint, nor did this book. Highly recommended.
I loved this novel, as it featured Littlejohn’s sidekick, Robert Cromwell, now promoted to superintendent himself. As always, Cromwell does not disappoint, nor did this book. Highly recommended.
March 22, 2023
The murder of an accomplished burglar. A very clockwork mystery in that the investigation is focused from the start on the house that the burglar was casing. Did he actually steal the famous diamonds? It’s well done but why did the police not question all the maids? Bellairs is best at description and it would have been nice if he’d given Littlejohn a bit more personality. Also, interesting that there’s a detective that is always complaining about his bad luck since there is a similar character in the Maigrets.
December 2, 2017
Littlejohn stumbles on a dead body outside a house while taking out his dog for a walk one evening. He recognizes the body as Charles Blunt, one known slick gentleman-thief. This leads him on to a flat in Orchard Court and to The Limes next door, a rich man's house with its promiscuous hostess and suspect inhabitants. It was an okay read for me. The start was promising but the resolution felt average. Would pick up more from the author though.
March 26, 2024
Littlejohn is walking the dog and stumbles across a body who he recognizes as Charles Blunt, a gentleman burglar. He and Cromwell slowly unravel what happened.
Great classic mystery.
Great classic mystery.
December 29, 2025
a series I love
These books are not full of suspense or brutality. Just a good story. A mystery solved by hard work by police officers.
These books are not full of suspense or brutality. Just a good story. A mystery solved by hard work by police officers.
December 5, 2013
Not one of Bellairs's better stories. Pretty obvious whodunit and why despite the authors efforts to mislead. Feeble unsatisfactory ending. Disappointing.
Would have given it two and a half stars if I could as it still had that touch of wit beloved of Bellairs fans like myself.
Would have given it two and a half stars if I could as it still had that touch of wit beloved of Bellairs fans like myself.
March 20, 2016
A neat detective story with Bellairs at his best: not showing off where he'd been on holiday and not interjecting prim little moralising asides (well, just the one). As always, playing fair with the reader all the way.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews