Dead March for Penelope Blow

Chief Inspector Littlejohn #18

by George Bellairs

In the wake of Mr William Blow’s death, his surviving relatives find themselves tangled up in family secrets and financial mystery.

So when Miss Penelope Blow suddenly dies by falling out her bedroom window, suspicions are raised.

With Scotland Yard under pressure to determine the widow’s fall was really accidental, Inspector Littlejohn is called in to get to the bottom of the case.

But the deeper Littlejohn delves into the case, the more secrets he finds.

From malice to madness, there is one possible cause. Can Littlejohn uncover the truth before another tragedy befalls the Blows?

First published in 1951, Dead March for Penelope Blow is a darkly comic mystery from one of Britain’s best crime writers.

Genres: Mystery, Crime

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1951

About the author

AKA Hilary Landon
George Bellairs is the nom de plume of Harold Blundell, a crime writer and bank manager born in Heywood, near Rochdale, Lancashire, who settled in the Isle of Man on retirement. He wrote more than 50 books, most featuring the series' detective Inspector Littlejohn. He also wrote four novels under the alternative pseudonym Hilary Landon.

Reviews

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s no marching in this novel, 18th in the lengthy series featuring Chief Inspector Thomas Littlejohn, but there is the dead. Kindly spinster Penelope Blow belongs to a once prominent family of diminished finances. When she tumbles out of a window, the local police initial think it an accident. But the “accident” happens right after Miss Blow traveled to Scotland Yard in an unsuccessful attempt to her banker and Littlejohn. Littlejohn is suspicious, and his suspicions are proved right.

But who would want to kill an inoffensive old lady? Her snobbish nephews, the younger wife of one of the nephews, and Penelope’s self-centered sister — none seem to benefit from Penelope’s death. But clearly somebody did….

Author George Bellairs has penned another great gem in this series. As always, the characters are thoroughly entertaining, and Dead March for Penelope Blow has more twists than usual. In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Agora Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Daniel Myatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite possibly the best classic crime novel I've read!

Interesting characters, fascinating plot and a whole host of twists and turns.

I need to read more George Bellairs (if I can find them and afford them)

[Marilyn Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Bellairs has quickly become one of my favorite writers. His characters are quirky and not always pleasant but add to the story. Penelope Blow is one of those books that remind me of what a wonderful story teller does for a plot. The gentle, timid Penelope who is quite insistent about seeing Inspector Littlejohn leaves her name but the information is never received. A murder occurs...

This books was first published in 1951. Bellairs is often referred to as having dark humor in his books but it is done with a dry twist. I always enjoy his books and I think you will too...

[Diane Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Village spinster Miss Penelope Blow travels to London to see Inspector Littlejohn of Scotland Yard. Before the Inspector returns, Penelope’s nephew Harold forces her to return home. By the time Littlejohn visits, the town is playing a Dead March for Penelope Blow at her funeral.

Despite Penelope’s death being ruled accidental, Littlejohn investigates. Miss Penelope has fallen to her death from her second floor bedroom while watering her daffodils in a flower box. By all accounts, the flower box was sturdy. Could someone have pushed Penelope to her death?

The eight suspects include Penelope’s sister, Honoria, her nephews, Ralph and Harold, and Ralph’s wife Leonore. The servants also within the house include her confidant, Minshull the housekeeper, Frazer the cook, Jelley the footman, and Mrs. Peevey the charwoman. The Inspector quickly determines that Penelope was trying to ask him to investigate the possible arsenic poisoning of her sister, Honoria. After Penelope’s death, the family doctor reveals that arsenic poisoning truly is the cause of Honoria’s sickness. Earlier, another sister has died in the house of similar symptoms without suspicion. What is going on in the Blow family home? Who is targeting the sisters and why? Inspector Littlejohn is determined to find out!

Dead March for Penelope Blow is a traditional silver-age British police procedural. World War II is thankfully over and people can get back to their usual skullduggery. This is a perfect book for armchair detectives. All the clues are in plain sight though the red herrings are spotlighted more clearly. It is a fun and quick read. 4 stars!

Thanks to Agora Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Dead March for Penelope Blow” is the 18th Littlejohn mystery by George Bellairs. On a website dedicated to the author, a quote from The Sunday Times states, “Mr. Bellairs always gives good value.” This is my feeling, in a nutshell. This is a satisfying read, and a nice little detective story. Published in 1951, it retains a Golden Age feel. Littlejohn, and his sergeant, Cromwell, remind me a bit of MacDonald and Reeves in E. C. R. Lorac’s series. Their styles complement each other, each comfortably in his niche and using his unique skills to best obtain information. They also share a respect for the people they encounter during their investigations. They consider themselves part of the community, and it makes for a better story.

Penelope Blow goes to London to seek out Chief Inspector Littlejohn, ostensibly to ask advice about the possible poisoning of her sister, Honoria. Unfortunately, he is away from Scotland Yard, and Penelope is dragged back to the family home by a nephew. Shortly afterward, Penelope falls to her death from her window. The coroner rules it an accident, but Littlejohn isn’t satisfied, and begins to investigate the banking family Blow.

There is a certain amount of dry wit and wry humor without any accompanying archness or condescension, which is very enjoyable. The characters are well-drawn, and we can clearly see their all-to-human foibles through Littlejohn’s eyes.

Recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a reading copy in return for an honest review.

[Santosh Iyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book. was first published in 1951. It is now being republished by Agora Books and will be released on 13th August. It involves the series character Inspector Littlejohn of Scotland Yard.
An elderly spinster Penelope Blow comes to Scotland Yard , London to seek Inspector Littlejohn, but he is away attending a murder trial. Hence she is unable to meet him and is not ready to tell her concerns to other people in the police station.
After she goes back to her house in Nesbury, she dies in an “accident”---falling out of the window of her room. The other persons living in the house are her sister Honoria Blow, her nephews Ralph and Harold, Ralph’s wife Lenore and the servants.
Littlejohn is not satisfied with the accident verdict and decides to investigate. The family is, however, so hostile to his interference that he investigates on the sly with the help of the servants who dislike their employers.
The investigation is quite complex and it reveals that Penelope was murdered. Littlejohn is able to solve the case with the help of information received from the citizens of the town.
This is an interesting and charming book with an interesting plot and gives a rich flavour of the time and place. The characterisation is superb. But I have one complaint. The author is very verbose in giving unnecessary descriptions which are irrelevant to the plot. This slows down the pace.
Thanks to Agora Books and Net Galley for a free review copy.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a fairly slow and laborious start, this turned out to be a good read. Littlejohn was away on a case and a frail old lady called every day for several days to see him at Scotland Yard and would not talk to anyone else. When he reurned she had died in unusual circumstances. Littlejohn decides to investigate aided by his favourite colleague, Cromwell. As usual Bellairs plays fair with the readers giving them all the required information and clues to solve the mystery. Plenty of good detection in this one. A thoroughly good example of classic style British detective story.

[Anjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrative begins with an intriguing premise. Penelope Blow has been trying to meet Inspector Littlejohn, unsuccessfully. She paints a very pitiful picture and definitely evoked my sympathies. The author conveys the sadness around the figure as well as the desperation quite clearly. The reasons for the situation are kept hidden from us for longer than I had the patience for (in these kinds of stories that is a good thing). Penelope comes from an influential family but holds no sway over anything that happens in the house. She meets an untimely death that is quickly brushed aside.
When Littlejohn comes to the scene, he feels responsible for not being available when he was most needed and does not think things are as simple as everyone wants to make them seem.
This begins a very underhanded investigation with side commentary on the people involved. This latter part is what holds the book together. The plot itself has a surprising twist (more than one) which worked well, but the subtle humour in the way an 'ordinary' person is viewed is the highlight. I chuckled aloud to myself a couple of times with some of the character introductions. Overall it is a satisfying read because you feel like you spent your time well. There is good entertainment wrapped around a mystery that you may or may not have solved if you were paying attention.
I would recommend this book to people who like old classic mysteries with a dash of humour.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

[Wyntrnoire · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author may have been a supporter of the RSPCA because there a few references/incidents of animal abuse/cruelty which are mentioned--in passing. I am all for animal rights but it was unexpected in this murder mystery and very upsetting--for me. I am mentioning this because I believe other readers may feel the same. I am not suggesting that the author should have done differently--it is good to reach out to as many minds and hearts as possible--but that readers should know that the non-graphic incidents are there.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Bellairs is consistent and reliable as a crime fiction writer - as is Inspector Littlejohn. There is a convincing portrayal of British banking and its solid middle class management families in their social context. Bellairs approaches the setting and characters with an edge on humour and cynicism. In my view he gets the tone just right - there is nothing nasty in it but he is ever so gently sending it up.

The plot is convoluted - as it should be. No-one is perfect, no-one entirely a villain, but everyone slightly absurd. It’s fun to read.

[Marilyn Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Bellairs has quickly become one of my favorite writers. His characters are quirky and not always pleasant but add to the story. Penelope Blow is one of those books that remind me of what a wonderful story teller does for a plot. The gentle, timid Penelope who is quite insistent about seeing Inspector Littlejohn leaves her name but the information is never received. A murder occurs...

This books was first published in 1951. Bellairs is often referred to as having dark humor in his books but it is done with a dry twist. I always enjoy his books and I think you will too...

My thanks to Netgalley and Agora Books

[Adam Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely my favourite of the Bellairs books I’ve read, this is the fast paced story of the death of spinster Penelope Blow.

I was absolutely gripped - lots of surprises, twists and turns. There are lots of unlikable characters, which often puts me off, but here they were balanced by Littlejohn and his police colleagues.

The investigation builds cleverly, until you’re ready for the reveal. A great read!

[Stephen Robert Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Penelope Blow goes to London to Scotland Yard but Littlejohn isn't there to report Arsnic poison when she gets back home she falls out of a window and dies.
Littlejohn thinks it's odd so goes down to the Blows house and gets the door to slammed in his face. Old secrets, old lies the Banking Blow family house of rotten old fashioned rotters who think they are Lords.

[GeraniumCat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another intriguing mystery for Inspector Littlejohn, who has to investigate how an elderly lady came to fall out of a window while watering her plants. George Bellairs' books never fail to satisfy.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good twists and turns in this entry of the Inspector Littlejohn series.

[Voluntarystress · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to Netgalley and Agora Books for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. I was delighted to receive this novel, having been a long time fan of George Bellairs and his lead characters, Inspector Littlejohn and Sergeant Cromwell. Of Scotland Yard. I’ve read many of the nearly sixty books in this series and it’s a delight to see them being gradually reprinted. This novel, first published in1951, depicts a world as it was in my childhood, of which I have fond memories. This novel is the sort that got me hooked on detective fiction in my early teens, although I was reading Agatha Christie, Niago Marsh, Dorothy Sayers and Margery Allingham. But George Bellairs belongs up there with these greats.

This time the setting is the market square of a small town, gradually emerging after the war from its pre-war existence. The story centres around the failing remnants of what used to be a notable, highly regarded family who owned the town’s bank, now taken over by a larger national bank, but the family continues to try to cling onto their former life and status, living in the next-door bank house with servants. The author catches the change of society perfectly. He is, after all, a bank manager himself in his day to day life. But I wish that he wouldn’t try to mimic local accents in print. To me, it just comes across as silly and interferes with the flow of the action. Whilst the language is still very much of today, a few words crop up which are no longer in common usage. It’s a joy to be challenged by them. But a sad indictment of the way our written English language has slipped, that what was probably very ordinary, possibly street phraseology, now seems very well written.

The lack of modern technology employed in police work today is not a problem. This is a straight forward crime to be worked out. But the lack of such things as search warrants did concern me. The inspector and his sergeant could search the house by entering through the back door when tipped off by the servants that the family had all gone out. Some aspects of policing have definitely improved. Bellairs has written a terrific end scene. I could see it played out in a Brian Rix style Whitehall Theatre farce. All in all a wonderfully written trip down memory lane and highly recommended.

[Sue F · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read and enjoyed a few late Golden-Age mysteries by George Bellairs, featuring Inspector Littlejohn, and so I was happy to be offered an ARC of this title by the publisher, Agora Books, and NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

Dead March for Penelope Blow was published in the early 1950s and is about 1/4 of the way through the loooooong Littlejohn series. Since it was published in the 1950s, and we’re now in the 2020s, it reads like a historical mystery, even though it was undoubtedly intended to be contemporaneous when written. Luckily, though, I like historical mysteries!

Littlejohn’s cases often seem to be set in archetypal English countryside villages or towns, and this one is no exception. The Blow family has been “big fish in a small pond” for a long time, although we have early hints of cracks in this status, especially since the cornerstone Blow’s Bank was taken over by another firm. Sadly, as often seems to happen with later generations of “important families”, most of the Blows seem a bit reprehensible, and the one Blow who isn’t, Penelope, dies early on. Since Penelope was a friend-of-a-friend of Littlejohn’s, and had even been trying to meet with Littlejohn just before she dies, he gets involved, and the rest of the book is a thoroughly enjoyable 1950s investigation, looking into both the past and present to figure out whodunnit.

All-in-all, I quite liked this book, since both the characters and the setting rang true. Please note that for me, 4 stars out of 5 is a really good ranking, and means I really do recommend the book. I just try to fight “star-flation” a little bit, so I reserve 5 stars for a very few absolute favorite books that I am going to read and then re-read again. Probably no more than one in thirty or forty books that I read gets 5-stars from me. And my thanks again to Agora and NetGalley!

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Is Inspector Littlejohn in, please?’

Miss Penelope Blow has been trying to see Inspector Littlejohn at Scotland Yard. Three times she is called but, unfortunately, he is away at a murder trial. Miss Blow will only see Inspector Littlejohn and, as she is about to return home to Nesbury, reluctantly leaves a complicated message for Inspector Littlejohn to call her (via the housekeeper) when he returns.

Miss Blow returns to the place where she has been staying and is confronted by her relative, Harold, who insists that she return with him to Nesbury. It seems that her family is suspicious of what she might be doing in London.

By the time Inspector Littlejohn receives the message, Miss Blow is dead. An accident, they say. She fell out of her bedroom window while watering plants in a window box. Inspector Littlejohn is concerned: why did Miss Blow want to see him and was her death really an accident?

It seems that the Blow family is full of secrets. Circumstances enable Inspector Littlejohn to investigate (although neither the Blow family nor some of the local police hierarchy see any such need). The staff who work for the Blow family are happy (mostly) to assist. But if Miss Blow was murdered, who murdered her and why?

This delightful mystery was first published in 1951 and reflects a class-conscious period in a small English town. With well-developed characters, touches of humour and more than a couple of possibilities, the novel held my attention from beginning to end. And yes, I did finally work it out … just before the truth was revealed.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Agora Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[mrskelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bellairs has again written an engaging story with a well-constructed mystery for Inspector Littlejohn to solve. There is murder, potential poisoning, possible embezzlement, suspicious wills, and just a little bit of madness. I’ll be the first to admit that Bellairs’ puzzles are usually fairly simple. His murderers don’t jump out at you at first, and I usually always find that the solution comes to me fairly easily. But here he has written a mystery, filled with subplots (see above) and red herrings, that is just intricate enough to keep you guessing—for a bit.

One of Bellairs’ great strengths is his ability to create diverse and well-drawn characters which is on show here. In addition to the quiet and cowed Penelope, we meet a host of unlikable characters in the highly dysfunctional Blow family, including Penelope’s sister, Honoria, her nephews, Ralph and Harold, and Ralph’s wife Leonore. Then there are the servants, Minshull the housekeeper, Frazer the cook, Jelley the footman, and Mrs. Peevey the charwoman, all of whom are happy to assist Littlejohn with his investigation. Oh, and we are even treated to a reunion with the Reverand Claplady and Sergeant Harrywinckle (whom we first met in Death of a Busybody).
And it goes without saying that the dialogue is very well written. Bellairs gives us the usual humor and often snarky wit, as well as sharp comments on class consciousness, and lovely moments regarding opportunities missed.

I can usually always depend on Bellairs for a light-weight mystery that makes for an entertaining and fun read—and this was no exception.

Source: Review copy - Agora Books via NetGalley

[Whistler's Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family insanity or just a bunch of blow-hards?

In the small town of Nesbury, the Blows have been powerful people for generations, even if there are mysterious rumors about them. Blow's Bank was a successful business but William Blow's family life wasn't as satisfactory. His bullied wife ran off with another man and he was left with three daughters and no sons. True, he had two great-nephews, but he couldn't stand them, either.

In a fit of spite, he made a will leaving his fortune to various charities. What do people do when they've been raised to expect to live on family money and suddenly it's not there anymore? Ralph Blow works for the Home Counties Bank - the large conglomerate that took over Blow's Bank. His beautiful, discontented wife keeps him in debt. Harold Blow has a small law practice and can contribute little. Of William's three daughters, one is dead, leaving no children.

Miss Honoria is an ageing flirt who still believes that romance and passion are in her future IF she has the money to attract them. Miss Penelope is the "sweet one" and widely loved, but now she's in some kind of trouble. Sneaking off to London to talk to Inspector Littlejohn of the Metropolitcan Police CID hasn't helped. He's out of town on business. By the time he returns, Penelope's angry nephew has dragged her back home. Then a fall ends her life. Who would kill a sweet, elderly woman with no money? It MUST have been an accident.

Inspector Littlejohn isn't convinced and he feels responsible. Ralph Blow is furious and the local police are terrified of offending him, but Littlejohn persists. He wants to find out more about the convenient death. Surely it can't be coincidence that a meek old lady dares the anger of her male relatives to seek his help, then dies immediately afterward. Did Penelope Blow know something dangerous?

Inspector Littlejohn and Sergeant Cromwell go about their work in their usual methodical way. Information comes from an elderly clergyman who wanted to marry Penelope when they were young and still loves her. The servants in the Blow mansion are happy to help. In a family of arrogant, mean-spirited people, Miss Penelope was the only one who was kind and generous to them. They happily tell all the family's dirty secrets and there are plenty to tell.

The Salvation Army workers are still grateful for William Blow's donation that built their mission and for the money his daughter Penelope provided to enlarge it. But where did a penniless woman get all that money? To his family, William Blow was a mad man who had to be locked up to prevent him from squandering his fortune. To the Salvationists, he was a man who had experienced a religious conversion and seen the error of his ways. Which story is the right one?

The man who wrote mysteries under the name George Bellairs was a career banker himself and he knew all about the industry, from the time when it was controlled by a few wealthy, powerful families to the post-WWII period when corporations took over. He knew the danger of money in the hands of selfish people and the good that good people can do with it.

The story of Nesbury and the Blow family is the story of a nation in the midst of social and economic up-heaval. For better or worse, things would never be the same. This author was a shrewd, good-hearted man with a clear view of the world he lived in. He didn't like all the changes he saw around him, but he was honest enough to acknowledge that the world he knew as a young man was far from perfect and that many changes were for the better. That's what makes Inspector Littlejohn such a fine character and this series so out-standing.

[Scilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penelope Blow tries for three days to contact Inspector Littlejohn at Scotland Yard, but he's away at a trial. After the third try, she leaves a message, and her nephew (actually cousin), Harold, comes to London to bring her home to Nesbury. Penelope is one of the Blow family who lives in the old bank building. Her father, William, had run the bank for many years, and had three daughters. One was dead, and the the third was Honoria still living in the home. Others living there are William's nephews, Harold, a lawyer, and Ralph (the current head of the bank), and Ralph's wife Lenore. Honoria has been sick and told Penelope she thought she was being poisoned. Penelope's suitor of many years before, Reverend Claplady, has been corresponding with her, and recommended Littlejohn.

When Penelope returns home, the doctors are ready to take Honoria to a nursing home, and while the men are discussing it, Lenore goes to help Honoria, and Penelope goes to water her daffodils and falls out the window. When Littlejohn gets home, he gets Penelope's message and goes to Nesbury only to find that Penelope had fallen out the window and died. The court called it an accident, but Littlejohn didn't think it was and convinces the local Inspector Paston to work with him.

The case is very complicated. Everyone seemed to have liked Penelope, although the men of the family didn't seem to respect her. Harold and Ralph Blow do not want the police to come into their house. Who was poisoning Honoria? There are a lot of secrets in the Blow family, including financial secrets which the police soon realize may have something to to with the murder of Penelope. Littlejohn interviews a lot of people, and gradually get more and more information about the Blow family and their finances, and their activities.

The plot is very clever, and the denouement is surprising. This is another excellent mystery about Inspector Littlejohn.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Dead March for Penelope Blow is the 18th Inspector Littlejohn mystery by George Bellairs. Originally released in 1951, this reformat and re-release by Agora is 278 pages and available in ebook format (earlier editions available in other formats). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is an engagingly written and well constructed silver age mystery. Full of Bellairs' well rendered characters, this one sees Littlejohn trying to sort out a convoluted "maybe" murder/accident along with poisoning and skullduggery and subsequent winnowing of a whole stable of potential murderers. The dialogue, though admittedly a product of its time, is well written and urbane, lightly witty and humorous. Although I have enjoyed all the Littlejohn mysteries, this one does work quite well as a standalone, and it's not necessary to have read the other books.

It's really lovely to see these gems being dusted off and re-released to new generations of readers. Bellairs (Harold Blundell) was a gifted writer and a technical master of construction.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Brian Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a traditional police procedural whodunit, written in the Golden Age puzzle style. Miss Penelope Blow falls to her death from her bedroom window in the family mansion after she returns to the village of Nesper from a short visit to London. She had gone to London at the suggestion of a friend hoping to meet with Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Thomas Littlejohn. Penelope's sister, Honoria, fears that she is being slowly poisoned and asks Penelope to report it to the police. When she goes to the Yard, Littlejohn is away from London at a trial so there is no meeting with him. By the time Littlejohn goes to see Penelope, she is dead. It's an apparent suicide, but Littlejohn is suspicious that there is more to it. With support from the local police detective, Littlejohn (and his sergeant Cromwell) investigate and go up against the eccentric Blow family.

A standout in this Littlejohn mystery is the variety of oddball minor characters he and Cromwell encounter as they investigate. For example, there's a window cleaner -- who is nearly blind without his eyeglasses. Miss Penelope's home town plays its role as a background for the investigation.

This was written in the early 1950's and reflects the England of that time in terms of societal norms. It is in the Littlejohn novel series and is easily read as a standalone.

It's an entertaining easy read, with plenty of interesting characters involved along the way to a satisfying conclusion typical of a cozy murder mystery.

I requested and received a complementary advance reading copy eBook from Agora Books via Netgalley. The comments about it are my own. I appreciate the opportunity to review the book.

[Caroline Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant mystery novel from the late, great, novelist, George Bellairs. Originally published in 1951 this is the latest of his wonderful examples of detective fiction at it's best, being reissued by Agora Books.

The plot features Thomas Littlejohn, the Scotland Yard policeman who appears in the vast majority of Mr Bellairs' books. The Blow family are one of the 'important' families of Nesbury, formerly the owners of the local bank, the family still reside in the Old Bank House, cared for by aging servants. When the story opens, Penelope Blow, a frail elderly woman is in London trying to see Inspector Littlejohn, who unfortunately is away giving evidence in a murder trial. Penelope is tracked down by Harold Blow and returned to the family home where she falls from the window of her bedroom shortly after arriving.

The story unfolds to reveal secrets and skullduggery of mammoth proportions before Littlejohn, aided by Sergeant Cromwell, uncovers the culprits. As ever George Bellairs provides the reader with a well written, complex plot peopled by a large cast of characters, many of whom bear delightfully individual names...the Reverend Ethelred Claplady who played an important role in Death of a Busybody, makes a guest appearance, the Blow's butler is Jelley and the local chemist is Mr Quake, to name but a few. To read one of George Bellairs detective stories is to step back in time, I cannot fault them and I have read a lot of them, thankfully he was a prolific author.

[Callie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead March for Penelope Blow is another entertaining, fast paced British Golden Age mystery by that sage observer of human nature, George Bellairs. Situated just a few years after the close of the Second World War, Bellairs trademark humor and ability to convey meaning in the smallest of nods, glances and raised eyebrows is ever present in Penelope Blow. It seems hard to imagine that yet another (another) book about an aged spinster, hidden money and a nefarious Will in the likes of Patricia Wentworth and Agatha Christie could be entertaining, and yet, it is! It may seem extreme to state it, yet it is true, Bellairs possesses an insight into human nature and quick packed narrative to rival, or shall we say compliment the great Maeve Binchy herself. Certainly Bellairs real-life job as a banker has given him much insight into human frailty. I adore reading Bellairs, and in reality, his books are to me "lime sherbet"-- that cleansing of the pallet that I need in a voracious reading life. I read Bellairs in between heavier non-fiction and the like. I'm about halfway or more through the Littlejohn series, and will certainly be saddened when it is complete. Dead March for Penelope Blow, like Murder Makes Mistakes (his top effort to date) doesn't meander or lose track of the themes. This was a fun read and I thank Net Galley for the offer of this honest review in exchange for an early copy.

[Tom Godfrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Bellairs was incredibly prolific, with this outing being the 4th of the Littlejohn books. I've read one of two other works of his, and I liked this the most. It's set a few years after WWII, and therefore is not "Golden Age", but represents a transition in style from his earlier fellow Brits, which is all to the good. Yes, it does have a resolute Scotland Yard Detective, his able Sergeant, and a small English village populated with residents all striving to be something other than what their castes demand.
Penelope Blow, a lady of a certain age, arrives at the Yard asking for Littlejohn, who is currently involved in a trial out of London and thus is unable to meet with her. She is hurriedly bundled back home by a nephew, and it isn't long until she falls to her death out of her 2nd floor window. As it happens, she had sought the advice of a retired minister, and it was he, having known Littlejohn, who suggested the trip to London. The detective feels guilty for failing Miss Blow, and decides to go down to Kent to investigate. The death was ruled an accident, but it's soon apparent it was not. The twists and turns of the case arise naturally, and we have 5 or 6 credible suspects for doing the old lady in, and it isn't until the very end, that you'll know who the doer is.

Recommended

[Dave Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Littlejohn adventure for the man from the Yard (Scotland Yard) , with the help of Cromwell his trusted number two.
Penelope Blow not only unfortunate name but also unfortunately killed a lady that could of been married to the Rev Claplady the first big question, would that be worse than Blow. However don't worry about that because the case will distract you and keep your attention with the right amount of humour and intrigue to keep fixated on the story. There are some great twists and a football cup game in the background to add more colour but I think TV was black and white then so the story will be the colour that leads the way!
What I'm trying to say is this is a great book and is more than worthy of five stars in my view i enjoyed it from start to finish, and I didn't want to put it down which is always a good sign the reader loves the book. So I loved it loved the characters with the intricacies and strange characteristics that are missed from real life now as we are too conscious of how we look or appear. No political correctness just plan honest folk well not plan or always honest but plenty of colour and activities a bygone time but brought to life and I hope you love it as much as I have.

[Homerun2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in 1951, this mystery is another in the Inspector Littlejohn series. These books are great reads for vintage mystery fans and anyone who enjoys intelligent writing, wonderful descriptions, and interesting characterizations.

Inspector Littlejohn is away at a trial when a troubled older lady calls in several times at Scotland Yard to see him. She leaves a note, but before Littlejohn can follow up, she dies in an odd accident. When he goes to talk to her family to try and figure out what happened, he finds a suspicious and disgruntled bunch of greedy and unpleasant people and a sad and sordid history. He and his assisting officer Cromwell spend some time nosing around and untangling the confusing stories.

George Bellairs writes well, and his narrative descriptions of the characters are entertaining, astute, and nicely written. Littlejohn himself is an appealing character. The book is nicely paced and there are some humorous scenes well incorporated in the story. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two spinster sisters, Penelope and Honoria Blow live with their unpleasant, controlling extended family in the small county town of Nesbury opposite the family owned bank.
Honoria confides in Penelope that she thinks she is being poisoned, but it is Penelope who meets her end falling from her bedroom window on returning from a thwarted mission to London to see the ever dependable Littlejohn of the Yard.

The sympathy in this story is very much with the put upon staff of bank and home who are bullied by the family but are pivotal to the police investigation, with the stubborn head of the household having forbidden entrance to Littlejohn on account of the local force’s verdict of accidental death.
The clever, twisting plot trots along nicely with many a pleasing red herring and a satisfying denouement at the end. I was sure I knew the guilty party but was wrong!

I have yet to read a George Bellairs book I have not enjoyed, and I have read quite a few now.
I would definitely recommend this for new and old fans alike.

[Larry Shackley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another solid entry in the Inspector Littlejohn series, appearing in 1951, and there are a few hints about the postwar economy to give it a historical setting (black marketeers, rationing, etc.). But overall it's a fairly timeless English mystery set in a small town, in which a sweet old lady has fallen from her bedroom window in suspicious circumstances. Not only that, but most of the money in her secret bank account has disappeared, thanks to a clever forger. Why did dear Penelope Blow come to London, trying vainly for three days to find Inspector Littlejohn (who was off on assignment)? And why did someone follow her around London, taking notes of her movements? No doubt it has something to do with her extended family, which is full of nuts, manipulators, and adulterers. Bellairs tells the story in traditional procedural style. The book is peppered with humorous characters and clever dialogue, and there's a nice twist at the end. I am a recent convert to Bellairs, and continue to enjoy these light, but still intriguing mysteries.