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Inspector Mallett #1
Tenant for Death
An Inspector Mallett mystery - Daylesford Gardens, South Kensington, is an unlikely address for the discovery of death by strangulation. Even more unusual is that the house does not belong to the deceased financier. In the meantime, the mysterious tenant, Colin James, has disappeared. Inspector Mallett of Scotland Yard is brought in to unravel a complicated trail.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1937
54 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
Cyril Hare
73 books99 followersCyril Hare was the pseudonymn of Alfred Alexander Gordon Clark who was the third son of Henry Herbert Gordon Clark of Mickleham Hall, a merchant in the wine and spirit trade in the family firm of Matthew Clark & Sons.
Having spent most of his formative years in the country where he learned to hunt, shoot and fish, he was educated at St Aubyn's, Rottingdean and Rugby, where he won a prize for writing English verse, before reading history at New College, Oxford, where he gained a first class degree.
His family tradition indicated a legal career and he was duly called to the bar in 1924 and he joined the firm of famed lawyer Ronald Oliver and went on to practice in the civil and criminal courts in and around London.
He was 36 when he began his writing career and he picked his pseudonymn from Hare Court, where he worked, and Cyril Mansions, Battersea, where he lived after he had married Mary Barbara Lawrence in 1933. The couple had one son and two daughters.
His first literary endeavours were short, flippant sketches for Punch magazine and he had articles published in the Illustrated London News and The Law Journal. His first detective novel, 'Tenant for Death' was published in 1937 and it was called 'an engaging debut'.
During the early years of World War II he toured as a judge's marshall and he used his experiences as the basis for his fourth novel 'Tragedy at Law', which was published in 1942. In that same year he became a civil servant with the Director of Public Prosecutions and in the latter stages of the war he worked in the Ministry of Economic Warfare, where his experiences proved invaluable when writing 'With a Bare Bodkin' in 1946.
He was appointed county court judge for Surrey in 1950 and he spent his time between travelling the circuit trying civil cases and writing his detective fiction.
In addition to these two strings to his bow, he was a noted public speaker and was often in demand by a wide variety of societies. But his workload did curtail his literary output, which was also hampered by the fact that he did not use a typewriter, and his reputation, very good as it is in the field of detective fiction, stands on nine novels and a host of short stories. He also wrote a children's book, 'The Magic Bottle' in 1946 and a play, 'The House of Warbeck' in 1955.
He has left two enduting characters in Inspector Mallett of Scotland Yard, who featured in three novels, and Francis Pettigrew, an amateur sleuth, who also featured in three novels. In addition the two appeared together in two other novels, 'Tragedy at Law' (1942) and 'He Should Have Died Hereafter' (1958).
Having suffered from tuberculosis for some time, he died at his home near Boxhill, Surrey on 25 August 1958, aged only 57. After his death Michael Gilbert introduced a fine collection of his short stories entitled 'The Best Detective Stories of Cyril Hare', in which he paid due tribute to a fellow lawyer and mystery writer.
Gerry Wolstenholme
June 2011
Having spent most of his formative years in the country where he learned to hunt, shoot and fish, he was educated at St Aubyn's, Rottingdean and Rugby, where he won a prize for writing English verse, before reading history at New College, Oxford, where he gained a first class degree.
His family tradition indicated a legal career and he was duly called to the bar in 1924 and he joined the firm of famed lawyer Ronald Oliver and went on to practice in the civil and criminal courts in and around London.
He was 36 when he began his writing career and he picked his pseudonymn from Hare Court, where he worked, and Cyril Mansions, Battersea, where he lived after he had married Mary Barbara Lawrence in 1933. The couple had one son and two daughters.
His first literary endeavours were short, flippant sketches for Punch magazine and he had articles published in the Illustrated London News and The Law Journal. His first detective novel, 'Tenant for Death' was published in 1937 and it was called 'an engaging debut'.
During the early years of World War II he toured as a judge's marshall and he used his experiences as the basis for his fourth novel 'Tragedy at Law', which was published in 1942. In that same year he became a civil servant with the Director of Public Prosecutions and in the latter stages of the war he worked in the Ministry of Economic Warfare, where his experiences proved invaluable when writing 'With a Bare Bodkin' in 1946.
He was appointed county court judge for Surrey in 1950 and he spent his time between travelling the circuit trying civil cases and writing his detective fiction.
In addition to these two strings to his bow, he was a noted public speaker and was often in demand by a wide variety of societies. But his workload did curtail his literary output, which was also hampered by the fact that he did not use a typewriter, and his reputation, very good as it is in the field of detective fiction, stands on nine novels and a host of short stories. He also wrote a children's book, 'The Magic Bottle' in 1946 and a play, 'The House of Warbeck' in 1955.
He has left two enduting characters in Inspector Mallett of Scotland Yard, who featured in three novels, and Francis Pettigrew, an amateur sleuth, who also featured in three novels. In addition the two appeared together in two other novels, 'Tragedy at Law' (1942) and 'He Should Have Died Hereafter' (1958).
Having suffered from tuberculosis for some time, he died at his home near Boxhill, Surrey on 25 August 1958, aged only 57. After his death Michael Gilbert introduced a fine collection of his short stories entitled 'The Best Detective Stories of Cyril Hare', in which he paid due tribute to a fellow lawyer and mystery writer.
Gerry Wolstenholme
June 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
May 27, 2019
This is the first Inspector Mallett mystery, first published in 1937. I had previously read, “An English Murder,” by Cyril Hare which, although it first appeared a typical, country house, murder mystery, felt quite modern by comparison with other, similar books of the era – addressing political, and social, tensions. Likewise, this also has quite a modern feel to it, with an immediacy to the characters, and the time, that are refreshing.
Lionel Ballentine is a big name on the stock exchange, so, when he is found dead, his murder sells a lot of newspapers. Inspector Mallett, is called in to investigate. Cyril Hare gives him a half-hearted personal quirk, in that he is a man who dislikes missing meals, but that isn’t really necessary. The plot itself is quite involved and there are lots of twists and turns, plus a good number of suspects. A rather suspicious secretary, a young man who has suddenly come into money, a ruined man who has just been released from prison, the valet of a man who seems not to exist and the husband of Lionel Ballentine’s mistress…
Without doubt, this is an interesting start to a series. Cyril Hare wrote intelligent, focused, interesting mysteries, which still stand up today. I look forward to reading more and, as always, am delighted that more books, and authors, from this era are being re-printed.
Lionel Ballentine is a big name on the stock exchange, so, when he is found dead, his murder sells a lot of newspapers. Inspector Mallett, is called in to investigate. Cyril Hare gives him a half-hearted personal quirk, in that he is a man who dislikes missing meals, but that isn’t really necessary. The plot itself is quite involved and there are lots of twists and turns, plus a good number of suspects. A rather suspicious secretary, a young man who has suddenly come into money, a ruined man who has just been released from prison, the valet of a man who seems not to exist and the husband of Lionel Ballentine’s mistress…
Without doubt, this is an interesting start to a series. Cyril Hare wrote intelligent, focused, interesting mysteries, which still stand up today. I look forward to reading more and, as always, am delighted that more books, and authors, from this era are being re-printed.
March 13, 2020
I was unfamiliar with author Cyril Hare, an English judge whose real name was Alfred Clark. He began writing mystery novels in the 1930s, and wrote six of them, most of which feature Inspector John Mallett.
Hare’s writing has the archaic tone and diction of a Mary Roberts Rinehart or Anna Katherine Green novel, and I was a bit surprised to find that the setting was the 1930s rather than at the turn of the 20th century. But I enjoyed the novel well enough, thanks to the likable Mallett. The inspector isn’t an aristocrat, like Dorothy L. Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey or Ngaio Marsh’s Roderick Alleyn; nor is he eccentric to the point of silliness, like Nicholas Blake’s Nigel Strangeways or Margery Allingham’s Albert Campion. No, he’s merely a plodding police official who explores every lead and easily gets peckish. Mallett may never reach the heights of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot, John Bude’s Inspector William Meredith, Patricia Wentworth’s Miss Maud Silver or Gladys Mitchell’s Mrs. Bradley; however, I enjoyed Hare’s creation very well, indeed. I’ll be reading more, no doubt.
Hare’s writing has the archaic tone and diction of a Mary Roberts Rinehart or Anna Katherine Green novel, and I was a bit surprised to find that the setting was the 1930s rather than at the turn of the 20th century. But I enjoyed the novel well enough, thanks to the likable Mallett. The inspector isn’t an aristocrat, like Dorothy L. Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey or Ngaio Marsh’s Roderick Alleyn; nor is he eccentric to the point of silliness, like Nicholas Blake’s Nigel Strangeways or Margery Allingham’s Albert Campion. No, he’s merely a plodding police official who explores every lead and easily gets peckish. Mallett may never reach the heights of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot, John Bude’s Inspector William Meredith, Patricia Wentworth’s Miss Maud Silver or Gladys Mitchell’s Mrs. Bradley; however, I enjoyed Hare’s creation very well, indeed. I’ll be reading more, no doubt.
March 4, 2021
This was a nice palate cleanser after reading a pretty heavy book before this one. Love the character of Inspector Mallett and his all consuming love of logic and lunch. This is a copper who really loves his meals and a nice nap.
The mystery was interesting enough but not particularly compelling. The reveal was clever I guess but nothing earth shattering.
Basically a decent whodunnit with some nice 1930s lingo and atmosphere that makes it pretty fun. I’ll probably be back to visit Mallett again. Preferably with some beef sandwiches with a tasty mustard sauce.
The mystery was interesting enough but not particularly compelling. The reveal was clever I guess but nothing earth shattering.
Basically a decent whodunnit with some nice 1930s lingo and atmosphere that makes it pretty fun. I’ll probably be back to visit Mallett again. Preferably with some beef sandwiches with a tasty mustard sauce.
June 19, 2019
Interesting Golden Age mystery. I really liked Inspector Mallet. Suddenly realizing that he never ate lunch - often has a late lunch. Been there, done that.
I'll be looking for more of these stories.
I'll be looking for more of these stories.
October 1, 2011
Starting about thirty years ago, Dover Publications published a series of little-known English mysteries and collections of horror stories that I return to now and again. Cyril Hare (actually a jurist named Alfred Alexander Gordon Clark) published Tenant for Death in 1937. For Dover to pick it up, I assume that it had somehow gotten into public domain -- a pity for such a tight and craftsmanlike little story. Its Scotland Yard officers, Inspector Mallett and Sergeant Frant, work well with a limited -- but still puzzling -- list of suspects and a much larger cast of supporting characters. This is, to use Poe's term, a pure tale of ratiocination.
While there is nothing spectacular about Tenant, it is always exhilarating to read something so rational, so English, so 1930s:
As I started writing this review, I gave Tenant for Death a rating of three. I've just upgraded it to four stars because I obviously like the book as I read what I say. So be it!
While there is nothing spectacular about Tenant, it is always exhilarating to read something so rational, so English, so 1930s:
"X," answered the inspector. "The unknown quantity, who may upset all our calculations. It's fatal to forget him. Whenever you make a list of possible criminals, you are apt to put yourself in blinkers and forget that anyone exists outside your list. Always put in X, and keep a sharp look-out for him."These words have a powerful effect on Frant, who reveres his boss Mallett.
As I started writing this review, I gave Tenant for Death a rating of three. I've just upgraded it to four stars because I obviously like the book as I read what I say. So be it!
April 25, 2020
This was a bit sparse, but I still didn't figure it out. I got part of it right - and I wonder at how long it took Inspector Mallett to realize what seemed to be fairly obvious.
I liked Mallett and would definitely read another book in his series. I do feel like the book was somehow lacking in something, although I can't quite put my finger on it.
I liked Mallett and would definitely read another book in his series. I do feel like the book was somehow lacking in something, although I can't quite put my finger on it.
May 29, 2019
This is a Golden Age mystery by other than the well known women of the era and I liked it. The beginning provides a lot of information about neighborhoods and a few of their residents and I wondered how I was going to keep it all straight. I found myself just moving forward and not stressing about it. I felt sure, if the author was worth reprinting 80+ years later, the novel would be worth my while. And, for perhaps the only time in the novel, I was right.
This is the first in the Inspector Mallet series. I expected to have some background on him so as to justify reading the series in order. I quickly found there is no such background for Mallet. What we know of him is that he doesn't work nor think on an empty stomach. We might not be privy to the exact details of those meals, but eating is his favorite activity and he apparently has the girth to prove it.
I liked the mystery, too. There are coincidences in which some might find objection. There was at least one red herring - well, sort of a red herring - that I thought significant. It turned out to be significant yet not in the way I thought. My thoughts were almost entirely all wrong. The ending was not a twist as is sometimes in mysteries. It simply followed logic which I was unable to see. Yes, I have confessed many times that I am not a good guesser, and other readers might see the puzzle solved long before the end.
I'm quite content to give this a solid 3-stars and will happily read this author again.
This is the first in the Inspector Mallet series. I expected to have some background on him so as to justify reading the series in order. I quickly found there is no such background for Mallet. What we know of him is that he doesn't work nor think on an empty stomach. We might not be privy to the exact details of those meals, but eating is his favorite activity and he apparently has the girth to prove it.
I liked the mystery, too. There are coincidences in which some might find objection. There was at least one red herring - well, sort of a red herring - that I thought significant. It turned out to be significant yet not in the way I thought. My thoughts were almost entirely all wrong. The ending was not a twist as is sometimes in mysteries. It simply followed logic which I was unable to see. Yes, I have confessed many times that I am not a good guesser, and other readers might see the puzzle solved long before the end.
I'm quite content to give this a solid 3-stars and will happily read this author again.
June 5, 2019
3.5
As others have said, the opening was a bit confusing. We are introduced to several characters who mostly become the main suspects in the murder of Ballantine, who has been found dead in a house that was being rented by a mysterious individual. Once the book gets going, it is an enjoyable mystery with a clever solution.
As others have said, the opening was a bit confusing. We are introduced to several characters who mostly become the main suspects in the murder of Ballantine, who has been found dead in a house that was being rented by a mysterious individual. Once the book gets going, it is an enjoyable mystery with a clever solution.
May 30, 2019
3.5-4 stars —I was having a hard time keeping track of some of the suspects, but really liked this first outing with Inspector Mallett and his Sgt. Frant, and the ending cleared up all the loose ends for me.
It seemed pretty obvious from the beginning what was going on with the murder victim assuming a rather noticeable disguise, but the why’s and wherefore’s weren’t really clear (at least for me!) until the tidy ending. I appreciated Hare’s characters, his very human detective, and his use of humor in solving a knotty murder mystery.
I will read more Cyril Hare in the future, and am glad the Reading the Detectives group has brought yet another new-to-me Golden Age writer and his detective to my attention!
It seemed pretty obvious from the beginning what was going on with the murder victim assuming a rather noticeable disguise, but the why’s and wherefore’s weren’t really clear (at least for me!) until the tidy ending. I appreciated Hare’s characters, his very human detective, and his use of humor in solving a knotty murder mystery.
I will read more Cyril Hare in the future, and am glad the Reading the Detectives group has brought yet another new-to-me Golden Age writer and his detective to my attention!
June 6, 2019
Exceptionally well written with a fine touch of humor. To that add a well contrived and yet logical mystery. I found it difficult to guess the identity of the murderer. First published in 1937, this novel is a worthy member of the Golden Age.
An interesting observation:"Has it ever occurred to you, Frant, that all murderers are exceptionally vain? You have to be, to thinkthyat your own interests or convenience are sufficiently important to justify killing a man."
An interesting observation:"Has it ever occurred to you, Frant, that all murderers are exceptionally vain? You have to be, to thinkthyat your own interests or convenience are sufficiently important to justify killing a man."
November 16, 2024
It was written well, but I just couldn't get my head around the crime. Not Hare's fault.
January 31, 2018
January 2018 reread:
I found that, although it has been a long time since I read this (10 years or more), I recalled it in great detail. Even so, it was a pleasure to follow Inspector Mallett's progress as he unravels the mystery.
I found that, although it has been a long time since I read this (10 years or more), I recalled it in great detail. Even so, it was a pleasure to follow Inspector Mallett's progress as he unravels the mystery.
August 19, 2021
Enjoyed this one, and all of Cyril Hare's books! Thank you Faber Finds for reprinting his books.
March 19, 2020
I've been on a quest to read books published early on, this one in 1937 featuring Inspector Mallet of Scotland Yard. This book is a series of short chapters. Each chapter title reveals what that chapter is about. After reading a few chapters, I noticed each one seemed to be independent of the other and I thought maybe it was setting up the storyline. Some of the same characters would show up but it didn't seem to carry over a storyline, or at least I had a hard time following it, nor did I feel invested in the characters overall it seemed like a dry read. There were also phrases used which I thought made no sense it was sort of like I felt left out of the joke! Sometimes when I watch certain movies and the actors are so dramatic and it's lost on me because I have no clue what all the drama is about. The ending was nothing dramatic, overall sort of a boring read I'm sorry to say. No foul language, nothing offensive.
June 9, 2019
A very good golden age mystery with a sensible Scotland Yard detective as the main character and an interesting plot.
May 22, 2018
Lionel Ballantine was murdered. Did someone kill him because he "madoff" with their money? The beauty is in the telling of this twisty and intriguing mystery.
November 3, 2018
Even though this book was first published in 1937, it has a surprisingly modern feel. As golden age mysteries go this is a good one featuring a great plot twist and interesting characters.
March 15, 2022
Enjoyed this mystery, which was a re-read for me but was obviously a long enough time ago that I didn't remember who-did it.
This one features Insp. Mallet and he is a fun detective. He is investigating the death of a swindler and most people would like to pin a medal on the man who killed him than jail him. However, the law marches on! Great characters and details in this story and some really funny and ironic bits which add the human element into this story. The women in the story also are portrayed in an interesting way.
While this is a police procedural it is not hard boiled/ or hard edged. There's a human element in the telling of the story. Also, I like that Mallet is a man doing his job and that he is not the subject of all sorts of neurosis. Fair play- can you guess who did it.
This one features Insp. Mallet and he is a fun detective. He is investigating the death of a swindler and most people would like to pin a medal on the man who killed him than jail him. However, the law marches on! Great characters and details in this story and some really funny and ironic bits which add the human element into this story. The women in the story also are portrayed in an interesting way.
While this is a police procedural it is not hard boiled/ or hard edged. There's a human element in the telling of the story. Also, I like that Mallet is a man doing his job and that he is not the subject of all sorts of neurosis. Fair play- can you guess who did it.
August 18, 2018
fun: and the kind of whodunit where you can figure out something about the who did it.
July 1, 2021
Golden age mystery at its most golden age. A rich financier gets his final reward just before his business goes smash. Lots of people could have done it and, since this isn’t Agatha Christie, only one of them did. Don’t worry, Scotland Yard is on the case, and we will follow each investigation and hear each speculation. You are supposed to know whodunnit 40 pages before the end. You probably won’t.
Some of the author’s later mysteries are quite extraordinary. This one — not so much, though the murder itself isn’t badly thought out. Some occasional sparkle in the writing suggests better things to come. But this one, alas, like its star detective, is a trifle plodding.
Some of the author’s later mysteries are quite extraordinary. This one — not so much, though the murder itself isn’t badly thought out. Some occasional sparkle in the writing suggests better things to come. But this one, alas, like its star detective, is a trifle plodding.
February 29, 2020
This is the first of Cyril Hare's books I've read that doesn't involve a tricksy piece of law as part of the motive; this one is a more straightforward procedural about the murder of a shady businessman. An interesting structure, beginning with short chapters about a collection of unrelated people, whose connection gradually becomes apparent. Overall I thought it dragged in the middle and ended abruptly, but not without some fine moments.
May 28, 2015
Ballantine, a business man with his hands in some fraudulent businesses, is found murdered in the home leased by Mr. Colin James. James has vanished to France and nobody seems to know much about him. Inspector Mallett is assigned to find out where James has gone, who he is, and if he really murdered Ballantine. After all, Ballantine had many enemies.
I really liked the last book I read by Cyril Hare and I wanted to like this one, but I didn't. It was dreadfully dull. The first chapter was excellent and then it went rapidly downhill. From the very start it was obvious what was happening, and it was easy to identify the murderer and how the murder was committed. Mallett, as the investigating officer, was certainly bright enough, he caught on to clues as they were dropped, but there wasn't much else to recommend him. With the exception of the first chapter the book lacked a sense of atmosphere. Also, it bounced around a lot from one character and location to another in a very disjointed fashion.
I really liked the last book I read by Cyril Hare and I wanted to like this one, but I didn't. It was dreadfully dull. The first chapter was excellent and then it went rapidly downhill. From the very start it was obvious what was happening, and it was easy to identify the murderer and how the murder was committed. Mallett, as the investigating officer, was certainly bright enough, he caught on to clues as they were dropped, but there wasn't much else to recommend him. With the exception of the first chapter the book lacked a sense of atmosphere. Also, it bounced around a lot from one character and location to another in a very disjointed fashion.
January 5, 2017
This was the first book written by Cyril Hare (Alfred Gordon Clark), 1937...I enjoyed it and particularly appreciated the fact that it was available for 1.99 from Amazon for Kindle as his books are difficult to find and it doesn't appear that any others have been converted to ebooks.
I have to go by reviewers who have read several of his books that they got better over time. This one introduces Mallet, a Scotland Yard Inspector who is pretty much all business without any supporting characters in his personal life. There is colorful background of the London scene of the time and the reliance of long and careful gathering of information to solve the murder of a bank swindler. All levels of society are represented in the story, starting off with the local news vendor in the Kensington neighborhood whose observations kick off the story of masquerade and murder.
I will add his name to my list for searching through stacks at Used Book Sales.
I have to go by reviewers who have read several of his books that they got better over time. This one introduces Mallet, a Scotland Yard Inspector who is pretty much all business without any supporting characters in his personal life. There is colorful background of the London scene of the time and the reliance of long and careful gathering of information to solve the murder of a bank swindler. All levels of society are represented in the story, starting off with the local news vendor in the Kensington neighborhood whose observations kick off the story of masquerade and murder.
I will add his name to my list for searching through stacks at Used Book Sales.
December 6, 2013
Cyril Hare's first detective novel is written with style and wit. The description of a London suburb in the opening pages is proof alone of Hare's rare talent. The other reason to read this book is to see how Hare departs from the country house milieu of the Golden Age mysteries and introduces new, more modern criminals and motives from the world of high finance.
November 6, 2021
I did like the story and thought the plot was well thought out, but I did find the beginning somewhat confusing . I didn't feel any particular liking for Inspector Mallet, but maybe he becomes more interesting in the later books, once one has got to know him better.
March 22, 2017
Click on the link to read my full review:
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https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
November 10, 2017
Inspector Mallet of the Yard
A friend put me on to this author for which I extend my thanks. The blurb sounded good, I read the sample, so this is my first foray into the world of Cyril Hare. This is another Golden Age crime book which will fit in with my present mood as I have been re-reading Agatha Christie’s. The opening scene is set in Daylesford Gardens, mainly occupied by those retired civil servants, judges, naval officers etc., who are not too affluent. The neighbourhood is past its prime, but is grimly holding on to its respectability. A dead body in one of the houses is not respectable, although most of the inhabitants are agog with excitement at being the centre of attention when the press arrives en masse.
This book is extremely well-written and plotted. The characters are three-dimensional and are described with superb use of language. The author has an understated but delicious sense of humour, and I found myself looking for these delightful treats. The characters are also given some profound truths to say, that give one pause for thought. The mystery is very well-done and quite complex, and Inspector Mallet, together with Sergeant Frant, have their work cut out to solve the crime. Mallet and Frant are both very likeable characters and make a very good team. The conclusion is a believable one and this book is one I can recommend to all those who enjoy a good murder-mystery, especially those who enjoy the older books in this genre.
A friend put me on to this author for which I extend my thanks. The blurb sounded good, I read the sample, so this is my first foray into the world of Cyril Hare. This is another Golden Age crime book which will fit in with my present mood as I have been re-reading Agatha Christie’s. The opening scene is set in Daylesford Gardens, mainly occupied by those retired civil servants, judges, naval officers etc., who are not too affluent. The neighbourhood is past its prime, but is grimly holding on to its respectability. A dead body in one of the houses is not respectable, although most of the inhabitants are agog with excitement at being the centre of attention when the press arrives en masse.
This book is extremely well-written and plotted. The characters are three-dimensional and are described with superb use of language. The author has an understated but delicious sense of humour, and I found myself looking for these delightful treats. The characters are also given some profound truths to say, that give one pause for thought. The mystery is very well-done and quite complex, and Inspector Mallet, together with Sergeant Frant, have their work cut out to solve the crime. Mallet and Frant are both very likeable characters and make a very good team. The conclusion is a believable one and this book is one I can recommend to all those who enjoy a good murder-mystery, especially those who enjoy the older books in this genre.
May 11, 2025
Terrific read, one I was always delighted to get back to, and which may have kept me up past my bedtime on a couple of occasions.
I don't know that this would become an all-time favourite, but it's hard to avoid handing out full marks when I enjoyed it thoroughly and have no complaints. Once past the opening (which pounced in a few different directions and rattled me, so I suppose perhaps 1 complaint, but no more) it was smooth sailing. All the characters were sufficiently differentiated for me to follow the plot, the tone was pleasant, the inspector interesting, lots of stuff was going on, the author played fair (as fair as it can be, without giving away who did it too early), and this is, so far, my favourite of his.
Because I'll forget later, this is the one with the financial scandal and a body found in a home rented by a mysterious but vanished tenant.
(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)
I don't know that this would become an all-time favourite, but it's hard to avoid handing out full marks when I enjoyed it thoroughly and have no complaints. Once past the opening (which pounced in a few different directions and rattled me, so I suppose perhaps 1 complaint, but no more) it was smooth sailing. All the characters were sufficiently differentiated for me to follow the plot, the tone was pleasant, the inspector interesting, lots of stuff was going on, the author played fair (as fair as it can be, without giving away who did it too early), and this is, so far, my favourite of his.
Because I'll forget later, this is the one with the financial scandal and a body found in a home rented by a mysterious but vanished tenant.
(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)
September 2, 2021
Cyril Hare was a lawyer who wrote mysteries with a legal background; most of his plots turn on some recondite point of English law. This one, his debut novel, is an exception; it is more or less a police procedural featuring Inspector Mallett, who appears in later novels in a supporting role. In this one he's the star.
A financier is found dead in a rented house; the man who rented it has disappeared. Investigation shows that the financier's empire was on the verge of collapse. Various people have motives, including a former associate of the victim who was released from prison shortly before the murder. A shady company secretary and an impecunious young suitor are somehow involved. Mallett sorts it all out. The solution involves the kind of clever trick that golden age mysteries so often turned on.
Not Hare's best, but it's written with the usual eloquence and wit, an entertaining read for fans of Golden Age English puzzlers.
A financier is found dead in a rented house; the man who rented it has disappeared. Investigation shows that the financier's empire was on the verge of collapse. Various people have motives, including a former associate of the victim who was released from prison shortly before the murder. A shady company secretary and an impecunious young suitor are somehow involved. Mallett sorts it all out. The solution involves the kind of clever trick that golden age mysteries so often turned on.
Not Hare's best, but it's written with the usual eloquence and wit, an entertaining read for fans of Golden Age English puzzlers.
March 7, 2020
Well written classic from the golden age of mysteries
I'm not sure why we never hear about Cyril Hate as much as we hear about other mystery writers of the 1930s and 1940s. I believe he's just as good as his contemporaries. Perhaps it's because he only wrote three novels and one book of short stories.
Inspector Mallet is the detective who investigates this complex mystery. He's a very likeable man. Hare does a good job of developing characters and helping us keep a complex plot in our heads.
My only complaint was that he rushed the last chapter. In my minds eye I pictured an impatient editor harassing him. Still I enjoyed it and would recommend it to any mystery fan.
I'm not sure why we never hear about Cyril Hate as much as we hear about other mystery writers of the 1930s and 1940s. I believe he's just as good as his contemporaries. Perhaps it's because he only wrote three novels and one book of short stories.
Inspector Mallet is the detective who investigates this complex mystery. He's a very likeable man. Hare does a good job of developing characters and helping us keep a complex plot in our heads.
My only complaint was that he rushed the last chapter. In my minds eye I pictured an impatient editor harassing him. Still I enjoyed it and would recommend it to any mystery fan.
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