Jack on the Gallows Tree

Carolus Deene #8

by Leo Bruce

The dead bodies of two elderly ladies are discovered; both had been strangled. Each is found lying full-length, clasping in her hand the stem of a Madonna lily.

Genres: Mystery

189 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

Pseudonym for Rupert Croft-Cooke.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Within the space of an hour or two the dead bodies of two elderly ladies are discovered in the vicinity of Buddington-on-the-Hill; both had been strangled. Each was found lying full length clasping in her hands the stem of a Madonna lily. the work of a maniac? Could there be two murderers who together planned their foul deeds? It falls to Carolus Deene, the Gentleman Detective who teaches at a boys' public school, to unravel the knot of mystery which hangs like a pall of the little English town."
~~back cover

Duh! Why didn't I see that answer myself? It's so obvious, once Carolus Deene announces it in his customary exposition. Also as customary, he weaves all the clues that seemed so innocent, so unconnected, into the tapestry of identifying the murderer, leaving the reader to wonder how he or she could have missed out so badly. Excellent plotting, excellent characterization -- a grand read if you're a fan of old-fashioned English cozies.

[Ralph · Rating 5 out of 5]

The drawback in most of the Carolus Deene books is the programmed feel to them. We even have a precocious schoolboy who chimes in from time to time with jabs to Deene if he starts to fall behind in his investigation -- isn't it about time for you to question the suspects; isn't it about time you had a breakthrough; well, here you are and I am not surprised because isn't it about time you found yourself in a pub. I always forgive these little jabs because Bruce's books are always such a pleasure to read. They are infused with a dated sense of Englishness that I just can't resist. The plot is sufficiently intriguing, Deene's investigations methodical, and the solution satisfying.

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carolus Deene is a gentleman detective of the old school (1920s and 30s), though the books were written later (60s and 70s). They are pleasant light fare, and one imagines that Lord Whimsey is right around the corner. Deene's profession, that of schoolmaster, allows for some satirical potshots at English public (that is, private ) schools.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Jack on the Gallows Tree, Carolus Deene, Senior History Master at a boys' public school and gentleman detective extraordinaire is faced with a very odd murder case. In the course of an evening, two elderly ladies from Buddington-on-the-Hill are found strangled and laid out clasping an Easter lily in their hands. The two ladies did not know each other and there are tenuous links at best between them--they both sold gold to the same "gold-clapper," for instance. While there are obvious suspects for each of their murders individually, there doesn't seem to be anyone who would benefit from both deaths.

Deene, who has been suffering from jaundice, has been sent to Buddington-on-the-Hill for a rest cure. His headmaster strongly objected to the doctor's suggestion of a nice bit of sea air at Bournemouth or Torquay (both places recently in the newspaper for horrid murders) and plumps for the dull-sounding Buddington. Little did he know that he was sending Deene straight into a bit of death in the countryside.

Deene quickly recovers his strength and is soon sitting up and taking notice of the excitement in the village. The police have few clues beyond the lilies and it is up to Deene to figure out whether a madman with thing for strangling old ladies is on the loose or if there is a clever plot behind it all. True to Golden Age tradition he holds a final wrap-up scene in which the answers are revealed.

This is quite a fun little mystery. Bruce's books are pretty fairly clued, filled with wonderfully eccentric characters, and make for a nice cozy evening of reading. Lots of good British humor too. I had the wool pulled over my eyes...all ready to suspect someone who didn't seem to be getting quite enough attention and was fooled. A good three and a half star read.

This was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.

[M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first Leo Bruce novel. I decided to try one since the "read alike" feature on Stop, You're Killing Me! (a must visit web site for any serious mystery fan) suggested Bruce read like Agatha Christie. And in a basic sense, that's true.

Like Christie, Bruce has a lead character: Carolus Deene, a teacher at a private school. He's out of class now, resting at a lavish hotel in Buddington-on-Hill to recuperate from illness. The headmaster of the school is resting too, because he figures if Deene is being pampered at a spa, he can't get involved in a scandalous murder. It seems Deene has a habit of doing that, and he does so here too, to the schoolmaster's chagrin.

Two murders are committed...older women found dead clasping Madonna lilies. Fear of a serial killer spreads throughout the village, but Deene soon deduces otherwise. This is a good read, filled with oddball characters (nudists, a prim landlady who won't permit cursing at her bar, an unbelievable snob of a woman who refuses to acknowledge anyone who even thinks about being associated with scandal) and humorous moments. Deene is very likeable and competent. The explanation for the killings makes sense, although one scene near the end goes a bit over the top. That was probably deliberate, as a sense of parody is very prominent in Bruce's writing.

I will make a point to track down another Carolus Deene mystery!

[Eugene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leo Bruce wrote 80 or so books before his passing, and I’d never read a one. The lack is now rectified with this tome, the eighth of his “Carolus Deene” mysteries. He’d written several Sergeant Beef mysteries, then about 20 of these. I found it to be from that older sort of whodunnit, where the clues and red herrings are strewn liberally, and the reader is invited to guess the murderer, while Deene pursues his investigations and comes to the solution.
Carolus Deene is an independently wealthy school teacher, and solves the mysteries because they fascinate him. His headmaster is always worried about the “bad publicity.” Deene persists nonetheless, and is satisfied when he’s completed the task.
Here, two elderly ladies are murdered on the same night and with the same curious modus operandi in the town Buddington, where Deene just happens to be taking a rest-cure after a serious bout of jaundice, and the scent of a new case is just the thing to bring a rosy glow back to his cheeks. He engages in conversation with most everyone in the village, and after he’s assessed the milieu in which he is located, begins to think about the case, for it is his scholarly thought processes that will bring the case to a successful conclusion.
An entertaining read, and I look forward to more visits with Carolus Deene!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

For three wild lads were we, brave boys,
And three wild lads were we;
Thou on the land, and I on the sand,
and Jack on the gallows tree!

Sir Walter Scott, Guy Mannering

Carolus Deene is a popular teacher at a small boys' school in Newminster. He has made quite a name for himself as an amateur detective, much to the horror of his boss, Headmaster Gorringer. Gorringer does not approve of Deene's involvement in murder investigations because he thinks it is bad publicity for the school. When Carolus is recovering from an illness, and his physician orders a stay at a spa, Gorringer is determined to send him to someplace where there are no murders. He thinks he has just the place - Buddington-on-the Hill, an apparently very dull place where nothing ever happens - well, almost never. Soon after Deene is on his way to Buddington-on-the Hill, Gorringer's attention is directed by an amused student to a newspaper story: Double Murder at Buddington - Two Elderly Ladies Found Strangled. So much for a quiet vacation.

Within the span of a couple hours, two elderly women are found dead in the small village of Buddington-on-the Hill - both had been strangled, laid out full length on the ground, and clasped in their hands a Madonna lily. As far as anyone can tell, there is no connection between the two women, Sophia Carew and Mrs Westmacott. Though both were wealthy, elderly women, they led very different lives and did not appear to have anything in common.

Though Carolus tries to stay out of the murder investigation, it is not long before he becomes deeply involved. Assisted (more or less) by his mischievous student, Priggley (who showed Gorringer the newspaper article). Are the murders the work of a maniac or is there something more going on? Deene becomes worried that another murder is in the works.

Another very good Carolus Deene mystery, amusing and interesting with good local color. Leo Bruce (real name: Rupert Croft-Cooke) always does a good job with the local background and supporting characters. Though there is a serious streak in his mysteries, there is also humor and everything is handled with a light touch. Carolus Deene is very likable detective with a strong sense of justice, but also compassion. Gorringer is an amusing comic foil that I always feel rather sorry for. He is totally outclassed by not only Deene, but also his students, though he doesn't seem to know it. I would like to see more of Priggley, who is mischievous, intelligent, and lucky with the ponies.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Carolus Deene, schoolmaster and amateur sleuth, finds that murder follows him wherever he goes. In the sleepy town where he's recovering from jaundice, two old women are murdered in the same night. is there a maniac at work or is there a calculating, plotting brain behind this? Carolus Deene investigates in his usual manner : by talking to suspects, neighbors and bystanders. There was not much tension in this book, but some of the secondary characters, like the vegetarian-naturist-teetotaling Baxeters, were funny.

[Jeff Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recuperating from illness Carolus Deene can't resist investigation the murder of two old ladies while at the seaside. Leo Bruce provides a gentle mystery with an intellectual bent with all the violence played off screen. If you don't being challenged this an enjoyable read.

[Calum Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

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