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Dr. Priestley #25
The Harvest Murder
The Harvest Murder, first published in 1937 (and also published under the title Death in the Hop Fields) is part of the series of mysteries featuring private detective Dr. Priestley. Author John Rhode , a pen name of Cecil Street (1884-1964), was a prolific writer of mostly detective novels, publishing more than 140 books between 1924 and 1961.From the Sergeant Wragge happened to see it there, lying by the side of the road, and decided to take care of it himself. After all, a twelve-inch butcher knife is nothing to be left loose on a public highway. When he noticed those curious stains on the blade, his suspicions were more than aroused and he felt that he must be ready for trouble. The Sergeant's forebodings were swiftly corroborated by the events that followed—robbery, a mysterious disappearance, perhaps murder; so he felt that he was justified in demanding the aid of Scotland Yard. The careful investigations of Inspector Hanslet and Jimmy Waghorn soon had them on the right track; but it was Dr. Priestley's quiet, seemingly enigmatic suggestion that finally unearthed the solution.
- GenresMystery
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1937
26 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
John Rhode
141 books31 followersAKA Miles Burton, Cecil Waye, Cecil J.C. Street, I.O., F.O.O..
Cecil John Charles Street, MC, OBE, (1884 - January 1965), known as CJC Street and John Street, began his military career as an artillery officer in the British army. During the course of World War I, he became a propagandist for MI7, in which role he held the rank of Major. After the armistice, he alternated between Dublin and London during the Irish War of Independence as Information Officer for Dublin Castle, working closely with Lionel Curtis. He later earned his living as a prolific writer of detective novels.
He produced two long series of novels; one under the name of John Rhode featuring the forensic scientist Dr Priestley, and another under the name of Miles Burton featuring the investigator Desmond Merrion. Under the name Cecil Waye, Street produced four novels: The Figure of Eight; The End of the Chase; The Prime Minister's Pencil; and Murder at Monk's Barn. The Dr. Priestley novels were among the first after Sherlock Holmes to feature scientific detection of crime, such as analysing the mud on a suspect's shoes. Desmond Merrion is an amateur detective who works with Scotland Yard's Inspector Arnold.
Critic and author Julian Symons places this author as a prominent member of the "Humdrum" school of detective fiction. "Most of them came late to writing fiction, and few had much talent for it. They had some skill in constructing puzzles, nothing more, and ironically they fulfilled much better than S. S. Van Dine his dictum that the detective story properly belonged in the category of riddles or crossword puzzles. Most of the Humdrums were British, and among the best known of them were Major John Street.
-Wikipedia
Cecil John Charles Street, MC, OBE, (1884 - January 1965), known as CJC Street and John Street, began his military career as an artillery officer in the British army. During the course of World War I, he became a propagandist for MI7, in which role he held the rank of Major. After the armistice, he alternated between Dublin and London during the Irish War of Independence as Information Officer for Dublin Castle, working closely with Lionel Curtis. He later earned his living as a prolific writer of detective novels.
He produced two long series of novels; one under the name of John Rhode featuring the forensic scientist Dr Priestley, and another under the name of Miles Burton featuring the investigator Desmond Merrion. Under the name Cecil Waye, Street produced four novels: The Figure of Eight; The End of the Chase; The Prime Minister's Pencil; and Murder at Monk's Barn. The Dr. Priestley novels were among the first after Sherlock Holmes to feature scientific detection of crime, such as analysing the mud on a suspect's shoes. Desmond Merrion is an amateur detective who works with Scotland Yard's Inspector Arnold.
Critic and author Julian Symons places this author as a prominent member of the "Humdrum" school of detective fiction. "Most of them came late to writing fiction, and few had much talent for it. They had some skill in constructing puzzles, nothing more, and ironically they fulfilled much better than S. S. Van Dine his dictum that the detective story properly belonged in the category of riddles or crossword puzzles. Most of the Humdrums were British, and among the best known of them were Major John Street.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 27, 2021
I would give this book 2.5 if I could because I'm not too impressed with Priestly. Also the story drags, especially at the beginning. I did find the the info about the hops interesting though. It needs to be shorter although I did like the resolution.
April 13, 2017
The slow pace may not be to everyone's taste, but an effective mystery and an evocative picture of life in 1937. Full review at classicmystery.wordpress.com.
August 22, 2025
I enjoyed þhis, but you absolutely have to be a Golden Age fan: there's a lot of going about to check alibis and retrace movements.
A burglar has gotten away with some valuable jewels, but despite clues to his identity, no trace of him is found. Then the overwhelmed village Policeman finds himself faced with suspicious fire, and Scotland Yard is called in. But of course, despite all the investigation, Dr. Priestley's scientific acumen is required to wind up the case.
The policeman--and the village-- are overwhelmed b ecause of the influx of hop-pickers. The publication date is 1937, but the descriptions of the picking, the London cockneys, and the policemen needing to borrow bicycles to travel around, make it seem an even earlier era.
A burglar has gotten away with some valuable jewels, but despite clues to his identity, no trace of him is found. Then the overwhelmed village Policeman finds himself faced with suspicious fire, and Scotland Yard is called in. But of course, despite all the investigation, Dr. Priestley's scientific acumen is required to wind up the case.
The policeman--and the village-- are overwhelmed b ecause of the influx of hop-pickers. The publication date is 1937, but the descriptions of the picking, the London cockneys, and the policemen needing to borrow bicycles to travel around, make it seem an even earlier era.
June 2, 2023
Takes a while for the murder to be discovered, but there are other crimes to investigate in the meantime.
Some interesting social history in this one, we get a look at the countryside during hop-picking time.
Some interesting social history in this one, we get a look at the countryside during hop-picking time.
July 31, 2020
A wonderful and enjoyable read. Make me think of a Sherlock Holmes story. Lots of fun and a great crime solving novel. Wonderful descriptions of hop harvesting as well. Loved it.
February 17, 2022
Living in the area and being aware of the associated social history probably added to my enjoyment of this tale.
February 6, 2014
A good mystery and an excellent social view of the hop harvesting in England at the time.
January 7, 2021
Ingenuity of plot and interesting character in Dr Priestly the outside expert.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews