What do you think?
Rate this book
Masters and Green #1
Nobody's Perfect
The chairman of Barugt Pharmaceutical, Adam Huth, is found murdered at his desk in his office.
Called to investigate Huth’s sudden death, Detective Chief Inspector Masters and Inspector Green of Scotland Yard, find Huth slumped in his chair. Initial observations conclude that one of the company’s employees murdered Huth.
Faced with the prospect of eight hundred suspects, Masters and Green have their work cut out.
When all signs suggest the cause of death was an overdose of drugs, not self-administered the investigation’s complexity increases. In a company that has unlimited access to drugs, and with drug experts working within the company, Masters and Green find themselves searching for a needle in a haystack.
Adam Huth was a popular man. Anyone who knew him hardly had a bad word to say about him. This just made the case even harder … what motive could the murderer have had?
Mr Torr, the Personnel Manager, has something to hide. Masters and Green can sense it. Arousing their interest, Masters and Green start to dig into Mr Torr further. The matter of missing Metathiazanone tablets puts Mr Torr high on the list of suspects. Huth knew about the missing tranquilizers, and Masters and Green are almost certain Mr Torr murdered Huth out of fear of being sacked …
Mrs Huth had a lot to gain from Mr Huth’s death. His life insurance would have kept her going for a while … another suspect to add to Master and Green’s list.
Mr Huth was suffering from a kidney infection … according to Dr Mouncer, who prescribed the drugs that killed him. Yet another one to add to the list …
As the investigation takes them deeper into the profile of certain employees, the discovery of the missing drugs and its uses, surfaces. And the murderer’s motive behind the killing shocks everyone …
Nobody's Perfect is book 1 in the Masters and Green Mystery series.
Praise for Douglas Clark:
“With perfect moments of dry wit, this is a classic whodunit” – Matt Lynn
About the author:
Douglas Clark was born in Lincolnshire, 1919. He wrote over 20 crime novels and under other names, including James Ditton and Peter Hosier.
Called to investigate Huth’s sudden death, Detective Chief Inspector Masters and Inspector Green of Scotland Yard, find Huth slumped in his chair. Initial observations conclude that one of the company’s employees murdered Huth.
Faced with the prospect of eight hundred suspects, Masters and Green have their work cut out.
When all signs suggest the cause of death was an overdose of drugs, not self-administered the investigation’s complexity increases. In a company that has unlimited access to drugs, and with drug experts working within the company, Masters and Green find themselves searching for a needle in a haystack.
Adam Huth was a popular man. Anyone who knew him hardly had a bad word to say about him. This just made the case even harder … what motive could the murderer have had?
Mr Torr, the Personnel Manager, has something to hide. Masters and Green can sense it. Arousing their interest, Masters and Green start to dig into Mr Torr further. The matter of missing Metathiazanone tablets puts Mr Torr high on the list of suspects. Huth knew about the missing tranquilizers, and Masters and Green are almost certain Mr Torr murdered Huth out of fear of being sacked …
Mrs Huth had a lot to gain from Mr Huth’s death. His life insurance would have kept her going for a while … another suspect to add to Master and Green’s list.
Mr Huth was suffering from a kidney infection … according to Dr Mouncer, who prescribed the drugs that killed him. Yet another one to add to the list …
As the investigation takes them deeper into the profile of certain employees, the discovery of the missing drugs and its uses, surfaces. And the murderer’s motive behind the killing shocks everyone …
Nobody's Perfect is book 1 in the Masters and Green Mystery series.
Praise for Douglas Clark:
“With perfect moments of dry wit, this is a classic whodunit” – Matt Lynn
About the author:
Douglas Clark was born in Lincolnshire, 1919. He wrote over 20 crime novels and under other names, including James Ditton and Peter Hosier.
162 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
265 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Clark
121 books19 followersDouglas Malcolm Jackson Clark was a British author.
He was also known by the pseudonyms James Ditton and Peter Hosier.
He was also known by the pseudonyms James Ditton and Peter Hosier.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 11, 2022
strong>An ok read
Some other reviewers seem to have had the same reactions as me: I didn't like the characters, particularly the two detectives who didn't like each other. I didn't like the judging of people, particularly women based on appearance. In fact I didn't like the whole thing a lot even though there were interesting points to the mystery. Still just an ok read at best.
Interestingly some of those same reviewers liked the later books in this series, recommending that readers not begin with this volume. I will probably try the second volume.
I downloaded Nobody's Perfect via Kindle Unlimited.
Some other reviewers seem to have had the same reactions as me: I didn't like the characters, particularly the two detectives who didn't like each other. I didn't like the judging of people, particularly women based on appearance. In fact I didn't like the whole thing a lot even though there were interesting points to the mystery. Still just an ok read at best.
Interestingly some of those same reviewers liked the later books in this series, recommending that readers not begin with this volume. I will probably try the second volume.
I downloaded Nobody's Perfect via Kindle Unlimited.
January 18, 2019
First time I had come across this author, but I do enjoy murder/crime novels from different eras as well as the moderns. I enjoyed this, certainly enough to now start the next one in the series. I noticed a review elsewhere where the book had been 1starred due to the reader finding the writing & descriptions, particularly towards /about women, offensive. This book was written and set at a different time in history when political correctness and sexual equality were not the same as in 2019. Personally, I thought the author portrayed the era and the police force of that time quite well - and I didn’t guess who did it until very near the end. Would recommend - as long as you’re not offended by the speech and attitudes of that time.
September 12, 2019
Pretty good detecting skills by our detectives. Though a bit technical at times with the workings of a large pharmaceutical company, it was never tedious. Glad to finish this one and would be reading more of the series in the future.
July 31, 2020
I lost patience half-way through this book and couldn't force myself to continue. Oddly enough, I had previously enjoyed a later title, Golden Rain, the thirteenth in the same series. In fact I gave that one 4 stars, so I decided to start from the beginning of the series. But it occurred to me while reading the first that I didn't like any of the characters, particularly the two main detectives who bitterly sniped at each other constantly. Yet I didn't recall that degree of animosity later on in the series other than small digs at each other. Masters' judgments of women based on their looks got quite irritating early on. After awhile, I just didn't care who or why the head of the pharmaceutical company was killed. Interestingly, Douglas Clark worked for a pharmaceutical company, so perhaps his first novel was therapeutic, working out some latent hostility. My advice to other readers is start with another book in the series. This one may put you off what develops into a good mystery series. As the deceased author might reply, "Hey, Nobody's Perfect."
April 22, 2020
Adam Huth, the chairman of Barugt (pronounced Barf--seriously?) Pharmaceuticals, would seem to be the exception that proves the rule. When he's found poisoned at his desk in his office, Inspector Masters and Sergeant Green from the Yard are called in to discover who wanted him dead. As the investigation goes on, it appears that everybody thought Huth was perfectly fine. He seemed to put his people before profits. He tried to make decisions that were in the best interest of people--even though those decisions ultimately were best for the company as well. Everyone who works for him has positive things to say about him. Even his wife, though they don't share a bed any more, seems to think quite a bit of him. The Scotland Yard team has to dig quite a bit to find any dirt that will stick and to find a motive urgent enough to spawn a murder.
Overall, this is a so-so beginning to what I consider to be a really good police procedural series. I'm actually really glad that I didn't read these in order because I don't think that this would have reeled me in the way later books did. You would think it would because this is actually more of a classic mystery than the later books--which focus a bit more on the interesting and out-of-the-ordinary ways to knock off people you'd like out of the way. Clark came from the pharmaceutical industry himself, so he was able to come up with all sorts of ingenious ways to kill. Nobody's Perfect has a more straight-forward poisoning and is more concerned with motives. This is probably the most interesting part of the book--though I have to say I find the motive chosen as the driving force to be a little thin. Maybe it would have been more powerful in 1969, but it seemed to me that there were stronger motives OR the one chosen could have been handled a bit differently to make it stronger
But what I found most disappointing was the introduction of Masters and Green. I knew from reading the later books that the team-up had started pretty rocky and the competition still rears its head once in a while, but at bottom they are good guys who respect each other. Here--there is none of the respect. And, quite frankly, they both are irritating and annoying and downright unlikable--until the final two chapters. Then, we get just a gleam of the people we'll know in later installments. ★★★ for a good plot and interesting investigation of motives. There are also some well-drawn characters among the pharmaceutical employees that make this worthwhile.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
Overall, this is a so-so beginning to what I consider to be a really good police procedural series. I'm actually really glad that I didn't read these in order because I don't think that this would have reeled me in the way later books did. You would think it would because this is actually more of a classic mystery than the later books--which focus a bit more on the interesting and out-of-the-ordinary ways to knock off people you'd like out of the way. Clark came from the pharmaceutical industry himself, so he was able to come up with all sorts of ingenious ways to kill. Nobody's Perfect has a more straight-forward poisoning and is more concerned with motives. This is probably the most interesting part of the book--though I have to say I find the motive chosen as the driving force to be a little thin. Maybe it would have been more powerful in 1969, but it seemed to me that there were stronger motives OR the one chosen could have been handled a bit differently to make it stronger
But what I found most disappointing was the introduction of Masters and Green. I knew from reading the later books that the team-up had started pretty rocky and the competition still rears its head once in a while, but at bottom they are good guys who respect each other. Here--there is none of the respect. And, quite frankly, they both are irritating and annoying and downright unlikable--until the final two chapters. Then, we get just a gleam of the people we'll know in later installments. ★★★ for a good plot and interesting investigation of motives. There are also some well-drawn characters among the pharmaceutical employees that make this worthwhile.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
February 14, 2019
Sick to Death
A good story, with a lot of interesting characters to consider as suspects. Taking us in one direction as interviews progress, feeling a harder push each time as a new character comes under scrutiny, mostly by Masters. When the tale wraps up it does it quickly with a nice twist in the end
A good story, with a lot of interesting characters to consider as suspects. Taking us in one direction as interviews progress, feeling a harder push each time as a new character comes under scrutiny, mostly by Masters. When the tale wraps up it does it quickly with a nice twist in the end
August 13, 2019
When Adam Huth, the chairman of Barugt Pharmaceutical, is found dead, presumed murdered at his desk in his office, Scotland Yard are called in. Detective Chief Inspector Masters and Inspector Green, a mis-match pair investigate.
An interesting crime story originally written in 1969
An interesting crime story originally written in 1969
January 31, 2020
A story of a murder of a man , the head of a giant pharmaceutical company. This company was so big most of the employees haven't seen the main boss much at all the whole time the worked there.
It took a long time for the investigators and cops to talk to all the employees. After sometime they found that some phenobarbital was missing. So they had to track that down to how , who and why. They all thought the boss was a man without any faults. But was it one someone thought he should be murdered for.
It took a long time for the investigators and cops to talk to all the employees. After sometime they found that some phenobarbital was missing. So they had to track that down to how , who and why. They all thought the boss was a man without any faults. But was it one someone thought he should be murdered for.
January 7, 2025
Don’t tend to read detective type stories, can’t remember now where or how I saw this book / series recommended. I did quite enjoy it, fairly easy read, one bit didn’t make much sense to me, so I kept thinking the detective would also realise that didn’t make sense either and that would be the murderer, but no. I found the whole summing up of who the murderer was at the end and how it all happened and the pieces fit together a bit of an anti climax - but maybe that’s how this genre works.
April 19, 2025
I enjoyed most of the book, but there are some parts that just grate on me: the antagonism between Masters and Green, the resolution being written out and explained in a letter, and the stupid fact that Masters didn't want to hold a woman accountable.
I could deal with the casual sexism throughout the book because it was a product of it's time, but the chauvinism inherent in blaming a man for a woman's actions put me over the edge.
I could deal with the casual sexism throughout the book because it was a product of it's time, but the chauvinism inherent in blaming a man for a woman's actions put me over the edge.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2020
Second book here pleass
I'm sorry but without my glasses, I can't write much. I will say this. I really like it. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,¡¡!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!you may be wondering, I listened to the book.
I'm sorry but without my glasses, I can't write much. I will say this. I really like it. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,¡¡!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!you may be wondering, I listened to the book.
February 13, 2020
Intriguing
Very catchy plot and immensely satisfying set of characters. Mesh of romantic liaisons, murder and clash of strong personalities. Love this author's writing style!
Very catchy plot and immensely satisfying set of characters. Mesh of romantic liaisons, murder and clash of strong personalities. Love this author's writing style!
May 16, 2020
This book will quickly grab your attention and have you racing through it! There are interesting dynamics between the main characters as they sieve through evidence to determine who committed murder. The characters and descriptions of the settings are all believable and interesting.
July 26, 2020
Excellent thriller
I enjoyed this book with Masters and Green forming an unlikely team. A murder causes them to go to the site of a pharmaceutical company. Here the victim was apparently a popular employer with no obvious enemies. I will be reading more in the series.
I enjoyed this book with Masters and Green forming an unlikely team. A murder causes them to go to the site of a pharmaceutical company. Here the victim was apparently a popular employer with no obvious enemies. I will be reading more in the series.
August 25, 2021
Twists and turns
A detailed procedural mystery showing inner workings of the pharmaceutical business. The final conclusion is surprising and it’s amazing how the Inspector arrived at his conclusion.
A detailed procedural mystery showing inner workings of the pharmaceutical business. The final conclusion is surprising and it’s amazing how the Inspector arrived at his conclusion.
August 31, 2018
Masters is Cool
Really good sleuthing. I can get into this author's writing. It's the second book that I have read by Douglas Clark and I hope to find more from him.
Really good sleuthing. I can get into this author's writing. It's the second book that I have read by Douglas Clark and I hope to find more from him.
January 13, 2019
Excellent characters, excellent writing, good plot until the shambles of an ending. Not discouraged, tho'.
December 28, 2019
Did not enjoy as much as the first Masters & Green book I read (The Gimmel Flask). The dialogue in particular seemed much too stilted, and the animosity between Masters and Green too overplayed.
October 11, 2020
Great read
I loved to read how Masters had his own quiet style of questioning and building a case, chipping away steadily.
I loved to read how Masters had his own quiet style of questioning and building a case, chipping away steadily.
June 18, 2021
I couldn't continue to read as the way women are portrayed is sexist just my view so had to stop reading it just didn't sit right with me objectifying women like that
November 2, 2021
Read out of sequence - but didn't realise!
February 6, 2019
Who?Who? Did it!
Super good British murder mystery with characters galore. Some good, some not. It’s up to the inspector with his knowledge & questioning.
Super good British murder mystery with characters galore. Some good, some not. It’s up to the inspector with his knowledge & questioning.
July 8, 2023
This 1969 mystery introduces Detective Chief Inspector George Masters and Detective Inspector Bill Green of Scotland Yard. Their team, which also includes Detective Sergeants Hill and Brant, is sent to Barugt (pronounced "barf"!) House, a pharmaceutical company whose CEO has been found dead in his office from an overdose of barbiturates. They learn that Adam Huth, the dead man, was highly esteemed and widely admired by the company's employees, so they have difficulty finding someone who would want to murder him. Tracing the source of the drug that killed him is also a challenge. However, the team wraps up the case with impressive speed. Even though there is a lot of personal friction between Masters and Green, the two work together effectively.
Read
August 19, 2023👍 A good read
A good 'reading in bed ' book . Will have to see if there are more books by this suthor
A good 'reading in bed ' book . Will have to see if there are more books by this suthor
April 11, 2020
another fine pharmaceutical mystery from Clark. He is one of best.
September 5, 2022
Read in Danish
Want to read
November 9, 2018Synopsis: the chairman of Barugt Pharmaceuticals is found murdered at his desk. DCI Masters and Inspector Green conclude an employee did it.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews