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Bibliotheca Classica
A rare eighteenth-century encyclopedia reveals a murderous secret in this short story by the CWA Diamond Dagger–winning author of A Shock to the System.
For Professor Derrick Rounsevell, antique books can bring the past into the present, through not only their content but also telling traces left by previous readers. In the case of his newly-inherited copy of Bibliotheca Classica—an obscure eighteenth-century encyclopedia—peculiar markings reveal a chilling tale.
Heavy erasures throughout the book indicate that a past owner attempted to remove any lurid content from its entries, which, in cataloging tales from mythology, resound with unseemly acts. Together with his wife, Harriett, Derrick investigates the book’s intriguing history, uncovering a tale of manipulation, theft, and a century-old murder plot. In the process, Harriett makes discoveries about her husband that Derrick hoped would remain buried . . .
For Professor Derrick Rounsevell, antique books can bring the past into the present, through not only their content but also telling traces left by previous readers. In the case of his newly-inherited copy of Bibliotheca Classica—an obscure eighteenth-century encyclopedia—peculiar markings reveal a chilling tale.
Heavy erasures throughout the book indicate that a past owner attempted to remove any lurid content from its entries, which, in cataloging tales from mythology, resound with unseemly acts. Together with his wife, Harriett, Derrick investigates the book’s intriguing history, uncovering a tale of manipulation, theft, and a century-old murder plot. In the process, Harriett makes discoveries about her husband that Derrick hoped would remain buried . . .
88 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2020
15 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Simon Brett
330 books536 followersSimon Brett is a prolific British writer of whodunnits.
He is the son of a Chartered Surveyor and was educated at Dulwich College and Wadham College, Oxford, where he got a first class honours degree in English.
He then joined the BBC as a trainee and worked for BBC Radio and London Weekend Television, where his work included 'Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Frank Muir Goes Into ...'.
After his spells with the media he began devoting most of his time to writing from the late 1970s and is well known for his various series of crime novels.
He is married with three children and lives in Burpham, near Arundel, West Sussex, England. He is the current president of the Detection Club.
He is the son of a Chartered Surveyor and was educated at Dulwich College and Wadham College, Oxford, where he got a first class honours degree in English.
He then joined the BBC as a trainee and worked for BBC Radio and London Weekend Television, where his work included 'Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Frank Muir Goes Into ...'.
After his spells with the media he began devoting most of his time to writing from the late 1970s and is well known for his various series of crime novels.
He is married with three children and lives in Burpham, near Arundel, West Sussex, England. He is the current president of the Detection Club.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 6, 2023
3.5 stars. An unexpectedly twisty and turny story delving into a previously undiscovered murder mystery. The ending was satisfying and deserved.
May 29, 2021
Another Delightful Bookish Mystery from Mysterious Press' Bibliomystery Series
Simon Brett's dual tales of a modern mismatched couple and their researched subject couple from Victorian England, is a sly story enhanced by its pompous poseur of a "professor" as the narrator. Derrick Rounsevell. He recounts from on high his much younger wife's efforts to find the source of an hundred and fifty year old.book left to her by her great Aunt Emma. This is the Bibliotheca Classics of the Brett book's title. The process of doing the research into the book's origins (and the perpetrator of the bowdolorizing is its texts) rings Harriet into internet contact with Joe Buckham whose family history tracing has led him to studying the same couple.who possessed the title book in the 1850's. Anything !it's about the story would be nothing but spoilers. It's too much fun to discover the story told in his ponderous unknowing prose by the dubious Professor Rounsevell ..highly recommend this entire series and this one as a short fun romp among the stacks, digitally and literally.
Simon Brett's dual tales of a modern mismatched couple and their researched subject couple from Victorian England, is a sly story enhanced by its pompous poseur of a "professor" as the narrator. Derrick Rounsevell. He recounts from on high his much younger wife's efforts to find the source of an hundred and fifty year old.book left to her by her great Aunt Emma. This is the Bibliotheca Classics of the Brett book's title. The process of doing the research into the book's origins (and the perpetrator of the bowdolorizing is its texts) rings Harriet into internet contact with Joe Buckham whose family history tracing has led him to studying the same couple.who possessed the title book in the 1850's. Anything !it's about the story would be nothing but spoilers. It's too much fun to discover the story told in his ponderous unknowing prose by the dubious Professor Rounsevell ..highly recommend this entire series and this one as a short fun romp among the stacks, digitally and literally.
June 26, 2020
Brett, Simon. Bibliotheca Classica. Open Road, 2020.
Simon Brett is a mystery writer with a wry sense of humor, nowhere better displayed than in this novella that parodies literary research and creates the most purposely unlikable first-person narrator I have ever encountered. I cannot say too much about this without creating unwanted spoilers, but let me just say that Brett’s tongue is always in his cheek, even if his narrator’s isn’t. Take nothing he says as gospel.
Simon Brett is a mystery writer with a wry sense of humor, nowhere better displayed than in this novella that parodies literary research and creates the most purposely unlikable first-person narrator I have ever encountered. I cannot say too much about this without creating unwanted spoilers, but let me just say that Brett’s tongue is always in his cheek, even if his narrator’s isn’t. Take nothing he says as gospel.
August 4, 2022
I've been a fan of Simon Brett's mysteries since the 1970s and read all of the Charles Paris and Mrs Pargeter stories. He has kept up his pace with this short story, which is marvellously well written, albeit that I think that most mystery readers would forsee the ending.
I agree with another reviewer, that the ending was a little abrupt, but the book didn't suffer for that.
I am an avid fan of bibliomysteries so I hope that Brett will attempt others for the series.
I agree with another reviewer, that the ending was a little abrupt, but the book didn't suffer for that.
I am an avid fan of bibliomysteries so I hope that Brett will attempt others for the series.
October 31, 2020
A short novel about bibliophiles and rare books by Simon Brett, a witty writer whose mysteries I try not to miss. The main appeal is the narrator, whose raging ego blinds him to his many shortcomings, which seem to be catching up with him.
July 15, 2022
Delightfully neo-victorian tale
Simon Brett at his best. I only wish the ending was a bit less abrupt. Three more lines before final paragraph would have been enough - just a bit of space to catch one’s breath after one email and the next.
Simon Brett at his best. I only wish the ending was a bit less abrupt. Three more lines before final paragraph would have been enough - just a bit of space to catch one’s breath after one email and the next.
February 11, 2023
Very entertaining
I love these Bibliomysteries! This was a great one. I am already looking for other books by Simon Brett. The purported author of this book is a jerk. The ending is very satisying.
I love these Bibliomysteries! This was a great one. I am already looking for other books by Simon Brett. The purported author of this book is a jerk. The ending is very satisying.
September 20, 2022
A bibliomystery about an investigation into an expurgated book.
September 2, 2023
One star off for having such a despicable lead character, but kudos to Simon Brett for creating a character I vehemently rooted against.
June 30, 2025
A most unpleasant protagonist.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews