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Inspector Hugh Collier #2
Natale con delitto
George Tunbridge non sa rinunciare a una festa in maschera per festeggiare il Natale e così raccoglie amici e parenti nella sua villa immersa nella campagna inglese. La piacevole serata si conclude con un nascondino al buio, ma quando le luci si riaccendono gli ospiti sono attesi da una scena agghiacciante. Hugh Darrow, un vecchio amico di Tunbridge e cieco sin dai tempi della guerra, si trova a condividere il suo nascondiglio con un cadavere ed esce vestito da Pierrot e completamente macchiato di sangue. La vittima è Edgar Stallard, uno scrittore di gialli noto per la sua propensione per le belle donne e con una discreta passione per il ricatto. I sospetti ricadono subito su Hugh che ha avuto tutte le opportunità per compiere il delitto e che non ha problemi a muoversi nell’oscurità. Le indagini passano tra le mani di quattro detective diversi e ben presto ogni apparenza cade: il soggiorno e la festa in maschera sono tutt’altro che liete occasioni, tra accordi matrimoniali, gelosie e privilegi di classe.
233 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1931
133 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Moray Dalton
36 books26 followersPseudonym of Katherine Mary Deville Dalton Renoir (1881-1963)
Katherine Dalton was born in Hammersmith, London in 1881, the only child of a Canadian father and English mother. The author wrote two well-received early novels, Olive in Italy (1909), and The Sword of Love (1920). However, her career in crime fiction did not begin until 1924, after which Moray Dalton published twenty-nine mysteries, the last in 1951. The majority of these feature her recurring sleuths, Scotland Yard inspector Hugh Collier and private inquiry agent Hermann Glide. Moray Dalton married Louis Jean Renoir in 1921, and the couple had a son a year later. The author lived on the south coast of England for the majority of her life following the marriage. She died in Worthing, West Sussex, in 1963.
Katherine Dalton was born in Hammersmith, London in 1881, the only child of a Canadian father and English mother. The author wrote two well-received early novels, Olive in Italy (1909), and The Sword of Love (1920). However, her career in crime fiction did not begin until 1924, after which Moray Dalton published twenty-nine mysteries, the last in 1951. The majority of these feature her recurring sleuths, Scotland Yard inspector Hugh Collier and private inquiry agent Hermann Glide. Moray Dalton married Louis Jean Renoir in 1921, and the couple had a son a year later. The author lived on the south coast of England for the majority of her life following the marriage. She died in Worthing, West Sussex, in 1963.
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July 9, 2020Now *this* is how you do pulp. A magnificent multi-stranded detective novel/thriller/courtroom drama, with loads of tension and a twisty plot and entertaining characters and high stakes. I have no idea why Moray Dalton fell out of favour and I'm exceedingly glad Dean Street Press have brought her back. I glommed this shamelessly.
January 25, 2022
”I heard a steady dripping, like the ticking of a clock, but slower. It seemed to come from an alcove farther on. It was, I felt rather horrible, but I was moved to investigate.”
The Night of Fear is a 1931 Golden Age mystery by a British author who wrote nearly thirty crime fiction novels. Many of the books feature the sleuths Scotland Yard inspector Hugh Collier and private inquiry agent Hermann Glide, which are both in this one.
A Christmas party at Laverne Peveril, a grand country house, goes awry when a body is discovered during a game of “lights out” hide and seek. When the lights were turned on, Hugh Darrow, a blind guest, stood in the hall with blood covering his hands and shirt.
This focus of this classic mystery is the investigation. There are multiple suspects to eliminate. The large cast of characters and the numerous police substitutions were difficult for me to get sorted until well into the book. (Here’s my spoiler free character list: ) However, the proficient writing, fair characterization, and side thread about the young lovers added intrigue which kept me reading. It had an interesting, though basic, plot with unexpected twists that made the climax suspenseful. Otherwise, the book had a plodding pace.
Armchair sleuths and fans of police procedurals may especially enjoy this book. The police had the greater page time because the evidence was repeatedly presented. There were immediate interviews following the death. The police surgeon gave his findings. Each time a different official took over the case, more interviews were conducted. A formal, detailed inquest was held at the county house. Later, several chapters were consumed by a complete trial. To a lesser extent, it was like a detective novel because a private inquiry agent conducts his own investigation on the direction of a character who has an interest in supporting the suspect the police target.
It was a lot to fit in less than 200 pages, yet reading the book felt much longer to me. Although the book’s description says it is set during Christmas, I would not have known it by just reading the text. It was a good, solid mystery, just not anything memorable.
The Night of Fear is a 1931 Golden Age mystery by a British author who wrote nearly thirty crime fiction novels. Many of the books feature the sleuths Scotland Yard inspector Hugh Collier and private inquiry agent Hermann Glide, which are both in this one.
A Christmas party at Laverne Peveril, a grand country house, goes awry when a body is discovered during a game of “lights out” hide and seek. When the lights were turned on, Hugh Darrow, a blind guest, stood in the hall with blood covering his hands and shirt.
This focus of this classic mystery is the investigation. There are multiple suspects to eliminate. The large cast of characters and the numerous police substitutions were difficult for me to get sorted until well into the book. (Here’s my spoiler free character list: ) However, the proficient writing, fair characterization, and side thread about the young lovers added intrigue which kept me reading. It had an interesting, though basic, plot with unexpected twists that made the climax suspenseful. Otherwise, the book had a plodding pace.
Armchair sleuths and fans of police procedurals may especially enjoy this book. The police had the greater page time because the evidence was repeatedly presented. There were immediate interviews following the death. The police surgeon gave his findings. Each time a different official took over the case, more interviews were conducted. A formal, detailed inquest was held at the county house. Later, several chapters were consumed by a complete trial. To a lesser extent, it was like a detective novel because a private inquiry agent conducts his own investigation on the direction of a character who has an interest in supporting the suspect the police target.
It was a lot to fit in less than 200 pages, yet reading the book felt much longer to me. Although the book’s description says it is set during Christmas, I would not have known it by just reading the text. It was a good, solid mystery, just not anything memorable.
November 25, 2025
11/25/25: I really enjoyed my reread, I’d forgotten whodunnit, so that made it like a first read. This time, though, I was prepared for the detective switch, which confused me on my first read. It seemed unnecessarily convoluted, same with local policeman being gassed. The motive and solution were actually quite sensible and I applaud the private detective for his initiative. Glide is a great character, I definitely want to read his other cases. I’ve read a few more of Hugh Collier’s cases since this book, which left him somewhat in the background, and find him a very dogged and likeable Scotland Yard detective.
2021 read: Great introduction to Moray Dalton, a Golden Age mystery writer I’d never heard of before reading this book nominated for a December read for the Reading the Detectives group. This is #2 in the Inspector Collier series, I’ll definitely read the first; this book also features Mr. Glide, a private investigator, and a very interesting character I’d like to read about again.
This case opens at a Christmas house party, where the guests are playing hide-and-seek in fancy dress. Hugh Darrow, a guest who was blinded in the First World War, yells for the lights to be turned on. He has discovered the bloody dead body of another guest, stabbed through the heart under cover of the game.
An interesting twist to me, was that Scotland Yard Inspector Collier was on holiday, visiting his friend, local Sgt. Lane, when the murder is called in. He goes with Lane to investigate, and conduct initial interviews; both officers spend the night at the estate, to be on hand bright and early to continue the investigation.
But a well-connected guest resents Collier telling him he and his fiancée need to stay on for the inquest, makes a call, and Scotland Yard recalls their officer, leaving Lane to investigate alone. He carries on, but is found unconscious in his room next morning- the gas was left on, he’s off to hospital. Collier is still available and asked to carry on, but then Scotland Yard again intervenes, sends down a pompous THIRD investigator - but not before Collier looks over his old friend’s notebook, and realizes pages are missing…
Intriguing setup - and the new ham-handed Scotland Yard man ignores Collier’s input, and soon makes an arrest. Mr. Glide is brought in to investigate for the defense, and it’s a race against time as the seasoned prosecutor takes on the young defense counsel in a dramatic courtroom scene.
Very enjoyable GA mystery, with some interesting characters and twists. I will read more of Moray Dalton’s mysteries.
2021 read: Great introduction to Moray Dalton, a Golden Age mystery writer I’d never heard of before reading this book nominated for a December read for the Reading the Detectives group. This is #2 in the Inspector Collier series, I’ll definitely read the first; this book also features Mr. Glide, a private investigator, and a very interesting character I’d like to read about again.
This case opens at a Christmas house party, where the guests are playing hide-and-seek in fancy dress. Hugh Darrow, a guest who was blinded in the First World War, yells for the lights to be turned on. He has discovered the bloody dead body of another guest, stabbed through the heart under cover of the game.
An interesting twist to me, was that Scotland Yard Inspector Collier was on holiday, visiting his friend, local Sgt. Lane, when the murder is called in. He goes with Lane to investigate, and conduct initial interviews; both officers spend the night at the estate, to be on hand bright and early to continue the investigation.
But a well-connected guest resents Collier telling him he and his fiancée need to stay on for the inquest, makes a call, and Scotland Yard recalls their officer, leaving Lane to investigate alone. He carries on, but is found unconscious in his room next morning- the gas was left on, he’s off to hospital. Collier is still available and asked to carry on, but then Scotland Yard again intervenes, sends down a pompous THIRD investigator - but not before Collier looks over his old friend’s notebook, and realizes pages are missing…
Intriguing setup - and the new ham-handed Scotland Yard man ignores Collier’s input, and soon makes an arrest. Mr. Glide is brought in to investigate for the defense, and it’s a race against time as the seasoned prosecutor takes on the young defense counsel in a dramatic courtroom scene.
Very enjoyable GA mystery, with some interesting characters and twists. I will read more of Moray Dalton’s mysteries.
November 30, 2021
This is the second Inspector Hugh Collier mystery and, although published in 1931, it actually feels quite modern in terms of language and themes. The book begins with Sgt Lane, who is called out to a crime at the Big House and takes his visitor, Collier, along unofficially. It is just before Christmas and, with the servants off at a dance, the guests of Mr George Tunbridge had been playing hide and seek, when one of the guests - blinded in the First World War - had discovered a body and raised the alarm.
The victim, as so often in Golden Age mysteries, is not really a sympathetic character and so the reader can settle down to working out whodunnit and why. There are lots of possible suspects and motives, which make this a really enjoyable read. Collier is not welcomed by the local Chief Constable and so we have the arrival of a private investigator with the wonderful name of Hermann Glide, as well as an inquest and a Court Case, before the murderer and, of course, the twist in the tale, is revealed. I will definitely be reading more by Moray Dalton and am delighted she is back in print for a new audience to enjoy.
The victim, as so often in Golden Age mysteries, is not really a sympathetic character and so the reader can settle down to working out whodunnit and why. There are lots of possible suspects and motives, which make this a really enjoyable read. Collier is not welcomed by the local Chief Constable and so we have the arrival of a private investigator with the wonderful name of Hermann Glide, as well as an inquest and a Court Case, before the murderer and, of course, the twist in the tale, is revealed. I will definitely be reading more by Moray Dalton and am delighted she is back in print for a new audience to enjoy.
March 25, 2021
This is a classic Golden Age country house murder mystery. The "lord of the manor" has invited a dozen people to stay for Christmas. On this 22nd of December the guests have come down to dinner in "fancy dress" and afterward will partake in a game of hide and seek. The lights throughout the house are turned off at the main breaker and the players hide anywhere in the house. The two seekers wait in the hall for twenty minutes. No waiting around for a murder in this one - it happens while the lights are out.
Moray Dalton's writing style is perfect for the genre, neither too fancy nor too plain. The characters are distinct enough. I think I have said before that we probably don't read mysteries for beautiful writing and sterling characterization, although they don't hurt. We read for plot. There is plenty in this, but not so much that we get lost in twists and turns. It is pretty straight forward. So straight forward that the police make an arrest fairly early. I've read enough to know that when this happens, the police are nearly always wrong, so that I can scratch that suspect off my list. Although I had my suspicions, I never could quite settle on whodunit. The resolution is quite satisfactory.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with this and, if enjoyment were my only criteria for rating, this might easily get inside the 4-star fence. It is just only almost good enough and will have to stay in the 3-star corral.
Moray Dalton's writing style is perfect for the genre, neither too fancy nor too plain. The characters are distinct enough. I think I have said before that we probably don't read mysteries for beautiful writing and sterling characterization, although they don't hurt. We read for plot. There is plenty in this, but not so much that we get lost in twists and turns. It is pretty straight forward. So straight forward that the police make an arrest fairly early. I've read enough to know that when this happens, the police are nearly always wrong, so that I can scratch that suspect off my list. Although I had my suspicions, I never could quite settle on whodunit. The resolution is quite satisfactory.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with this and, if enjoyment were my only criteria for rating, this might easily get inside the 4-star fence. It is just only almost good enough and will have to stay in the 3-star corral.
December 13, 2021
Classic Golden Age mystery - an assorted group are gathered at a country house for a Christmas celebration, when a body is discovered during a game of fancy dress hide and seek. The local policeman, Sergeant Lane, and his friend Inspector Collier begin their investigations and are soon uncovering secrets among the hosts and their guests. Then a further incident occurs, and soon a man is on trial for his life.
This was nicely plotted with some original twists and an interesting bunch of characters. The detectives were rather numerous, with police being called in only to be dismissed and replaced with another officer, and the appearance of a private detective and several lawyers to be added to the mix. This did make it feel muddled at times, but overall the plot moved along pretty well and the revelations were relevant and convincing.
I hadn’t previously heard of Moray Dalton, but I thought this was a fine example of a classic Golden Age mystery with plenty to enjoy, and I’d definitely read more from her.
This was nicely plotted with some original twists and an interesting bunch of characters. The detectives were rather numerous, with police being called in only to be dismissed and replaced with another officer, and the appearance of a private detective and several lawyers to be added to the mix. This did make it feel muddled at times, but overall the plot moved along pretty well and the revelations were relevant and convincing.
I hadn’t previously heard of Moray Dalton, but I thought this was a fine example of a classic Golden Age mystery with plenty to enjoy, and I’d definitely read more from her.
December 4, 2021
I found this novel to be a rather stilted and bare-bones classic Golden Age country-house murder mystery. The plot was straight forward. The characters, for the most part, were flat but distinguishable. The best bits, in my opinion, were the sniping dialogues between the lawyers and the antics of Mr. Glide, who does some nifty detective work. The ending was interesting, the beginning could have done with some additional descriptions of the setting. A mildly amusing and vaguely entertaining story.
December 2, 2025
Unfairly overlooked | I think this completes the author for me, which is too bad, because I've been pleasantly impressed by her work. I purchased this in early January and held it for my holiday read, because I knew the murder takes place at a Christmas party. Unfortunately, the date is the only holiday aspect (December 22nd), and aside from a few mentions of weather, it could be any time of the year. It was still a good one, and I likely would have gone for a fourth star if I didn't find courtroom scenes in cozy mysteries a bit overdone.
November 20, 2021
This is the second book I have read by this author, and I have really liked both. This book follows the popular GA type, where the murder takes place in a large country house, full of various guests. It is the 23rd December where a Christmas party is in progress. The servants of the house have left to attend a party in the village, leaving the owners and their guests of various ages to amuse themselves. Having the complete run of the house, they decide to play a game of hide and seek. They are in fancy dress, and then the lights are turned off at the mains whilst they find hiding places. Two of them are the searchers who will attempt to find the hidden ones. Before the allotted time is up for the hiders, one of the guests appears covered in blood and ends the game. Inspector Collier is close at hand, as he is on holiday visiting a friend of his in the local force, so accompanies his friend to the scene of the crime. Collier has told these monied people that none of them will be allowed to leave, not liking this they complain and have Collier taken off the case, making way for another inspector. Collier's friend who has spent the night at the house, has been found gassed in his bedroom and rushed to hospital. From that point we follow the story of the guests, leading to a court case of the suspected murderer. We then meet a private detective, hired by one of the guests, to try and find out exactly what had happened on the night of the party.
This books moves along at a fast pace, making it seem even shorter than it is. A very good read.
This books moves along at a fast pace, making it seem even shorter than it is. A very good read.
March 14, 2019
Another well-executed detective tale, set in a country house at Christmas.
This one features Scotland Yard Inspector Hugh Collier, and private detective, Hermann Glide, as well as the hapless Sergeant Lane and the bumptious Chief Inspector Purley.
The murder takes place in darkness during a game of hide-and-seek and the victim, Edgar Stallard, is a purveyor of rehashed true crime stories.
There are plenty of people to suspect, but the police pick on the blind Hugh Darrow, who is put on trial for murder.
All in all, this is nicely complex, but fairly-plotted, with some romance thrown in.
Highly recommended.
This one features Scotland Yard Inspector Hugh Collier, and private detective, Hermann Glide, as well as the hapless Sergeant Lane and the bumptious Chief Inspector Purley.
The murder takes place in darkness during a game of hide-and-seek and the victim, Edgar Stallard, is a purveyor of rehashed true crime stories.
There are plenty of people to suspect, but the police pick on the blind Hugh Darrow, who is put on trial for murder.
All in all, this is nicely complex, but fairly-plotted, with some romance thrown in.
Highly recommended.
December 12, 2019
Full review at classicmystery.blog
December 21, 2024
3.5 stars
December 18, 2021
Another story that begins around Christmas but one murder happens-- you don't sense again. Also this story has a variety of detectives, and each contribute to the detecting's success (with one exception.). The story takes place at an "estate" and a variety of people are invited to stay. And not all of the guests get along, clearly as one is murdered. The first on the spot is the local police, and one of the policemen Lane knows that a friend from the Yard is around and asks him to come to the scene. The Yard man is told by Lane's supervisor that he wants Lane to have this and Collier goes away on vacation. Lane does do a lot of investigating but then almost dies from gas poisoning as he slept. Collier is brought back on as he is on the spot. He realizes that Lane had a good idea of who the murderer was; and, that someone had tampered and destroyed evidence. He tries to dig some more and finds more evidence and when tell one of the uppity ups they can't leave- one of them calls the yard and Collier is replaced. Before he leaves though, a woman who finds that an old love will be the prime suspect and asks for anyone to get to help find the real killer. Collier suggests Mr. Glide who slides in and really gets down to business.
The nice thing reading the second Dalton mystery is it moves as well as the first one I read and feels very well put together. The people breathe and live and aren't simply stereotypes - which is nice. It is also a story where, having three different detectives trying to solve the mystery works- so a lot to be said for this ability on Dalton's part. Many of her books are available again so if one interests you you can finally find more.
The nice thing reading the second Dalton mystery is it moves as well as the first one I read and feels very well put together. The people breathe and live and aren't simply stereotypes - which is nice. It is also a story where, having three different detectives trying to solve the mystery works- so a lot to be said for this ability on Dalton's part. Many of her books are available again so if one interests you you can finally find more.
December 9, 2023
It is rare and exciting to discover a forgotten author who should never have slipped through the cracks of time. Moray Dalton is every bit as good as Agatha Christie, even better in that she wrote 29 mysteries and I've only read one! The Night of Fear is a locked-room who-done-it, set at Christmas, in an upper-crust manor house, typical of the time. What is unusual is the grace of Dalton's writing, the depth of her characters, and the excellence of the plot. One of Dalton's repeating characters, Hermann Glide, a private investigator who is every bit as charming as Poirot, really establishes this book as top-notch. I can't wait to read more Dalton mysteries. Highly recommended.
April 13, 2022
Popsugar 2022 Reading Challenge: A book set during a holiday
Thoroughly entertaining 1930s British mystery featuring twists and turns right up to the very end. I had to take a leap and buy this book because my local library has yet to purchase any Moray Dalton in either hard copy or eBook format. An English country house murder mystery (set over Christmas, hence the reading challenge category) with plenty of red herrings to go around. There was definitely room for more character development but it was so entertaining and a perfect example of this type of book, so I didn't mind at all.
Thoroughly entertaining 1930s British mystery featuring twists and turns right up to the very end. I had to take a leap and buy this book because my local library has yet to purchase any Moray Dalton in either hard copy or eBook format. An English country house murder mystery (set over Christmas, hence the reading challenge category) with plenty of red herrings to go around. There was definitely room for more character development but it was so entertaining and a perfect example of this type of book, so I didn't mind at all.
January 15, 2023
A very enjoyable country house mystery finally solved by a maverick private detective - Hermann Glide. There were quite a few detectives involved in the case as one replaced another which added more intrigue. Good courtroom scenes and interesting characters.
December 31, 2021
I happened to pick up this title as a book club selection this December. The Night of Fear was my first experience reading anything by Moray Dalton and overall, it was a solid holiday mystery with definite staples of the Golden Age.
I think there are two things that a reader should be aware of going in to the book. First, there are quite a few characters (both in terms of potential suspects and investigators on the case) to wade through. Luckily, these characters are distinct enough and Moray outlines who they are in the early going when the investigator interviews them soon after the murder. Secondly, there is quite a bit of exposition and meandering (about the first forty percent of the book) before we get to the significant part. After this, when the actual investigation comes into focus, things go much smoother, and the mystery becomes much more in focus.
Regarding the plot itself, the question that our sleuths examine is: what exactly happened at LaVerne Peveril during a holiday gathering where one man was murdered?
As mentioned previously, The Night of Fear an engaging murder mystery, with all sorts of motives, clues, and different angles to be examined. Personally, I thought the intense court trial scenes where one man’s fate hangs in the balance added to the building intrigue and suspense. I also thought the investigative work and connecting all the dots in the book’s finale was a nice touch.
Although billed as a Collier mystery, truth be told Collier only has limited screen time in the early portions until he is relieved of duty, and then gives way to Inspector Glide in tackling the case.
Overall, The Night of Fear is a classic whodunit, a Golden Age mystery with intrigue and tension at the right points.
I think there are two things that a reader should be aware of going in to the book. First, there are quite a few characters (both in terms of potential suspects and investigators on the case) to wade through. Luckily, these characters are distinct enough and Moray outlines who they are in the early going when the investigator interviews them soon after the murder. Secondly, there is quite a bit of exposition and meandering (about the first forty percent of the book) before we get to the significant part. After this, when the actual investigation comes into focus, things go much smoother, and the mystery becomes much more in focus.
Regarding the plot itself, the question that our sleuths examine is: what exactly happened at LaVerne Peveril during a holiday gathering where one man was murdered?
As mentioned previously, The Night of Fear an engaging murder mystery, with all sorts of motives, clues, and different angles to be examined. Personally, I thought the intense court trial scenes where one man’s fate hangs in the balance added to the building intrigue and suspense. I also thought the investigative work and connecting all the dots in the book’s finale was a nice touch.
Although billed as a Collier mystery, truth be told Collier only has limited screen time in the early portions until he is relieved of duty, and then gives way to Inspector Glide in tackling the case.
Overall, The Night of Fear is a classic whodunit, a Golden Age mystery with intrigue and tension at the right points.
January 1, 2025
Devo dire che mi sono un po' persa tra i personaggi che in realtà non vengono granché descritti
Mi ha lasciato anche titubante la scoperta del colpevole e la fine in sospeso
Non mi ha convinta 🤷♀️
Mi ha lasciato anche titubante la scoperta del colpevole e la fine in sospeso
Non mi ha convinta 🤷♀️
February 21, 2025
For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
December 4, 2024
4.5🌟 At first, I was a little confused by all of the characters introduced into the story in the first few pages, but it was worth the effort of figuring it out. Moray Dalton's writing style is quick and lively. Once I read a chapter or two, I really felt immersed in the mystery. As soon as I reached the halfway point, I couldn't wait to find out who did it!
Dalton's Inspector Collier is a wonderful character. Even though he doesn't have a large role in this mystery novel, you can't help but think that he played a crucial part in helping to find the murderer. Mr. Glide, a quirky private investigator, is a great addition to the story and he reminded me a bit of Hercule Poirot.
It was my first time reading anything by Moray Dalton, but it won't be my last. I really enjoyed this country manor house mystery! Although it's not as cozy as Agatha Christie's Miss Marple series, it has all of the best elements of a Golden Age Crime novel.
Highly recommended!
Dalton's Inspector Collier is a wonderful character. Even though he doesn't have a large role in this mystery novel, you can't help but think that he played a crucial part in helping to find the murderer. Mr. Glide, a quirky private investigator, is a great addition to the story and he reminded me a bit of Hercule Poirot.
It was my first time reading anything by Moray Dalton, but it won't be my last. I really enjoyed this country manor house mystery! Although it's not as cozy as Agatha Christie's Miss Marple series, it has all of the best elements of a Golden Age Crime novel.
Highly recommended!
December 19, 2020
A guest is stabbed during a game of hide and seek at a Christmas party; an extraordinary number of investigators weigh in. There's a sensational trial, illicit romance, and a weirdly understated unexpected death. For most of this novel, my rating was veering between three and four stars: three because I was frustrated with the number of characters and the lack of development of most of them, four because it raced along at a cracking pace and I gobbled it up. I settled on three as I found the ending a bit abrupt - but that risks understating how much I enjoyed it.
(I've been reading a lot of Golden Age detective novels this year, and this one, like many of the others, would be amazing filmed.)
(I've been reading a lot of Golden Age detective novels this year, and this one, like many of the others, would be amazing filmed.)
December 9, 2021
Giallo investigativo dai capitoli brevi che fanno avanzare in fretta la lettura. L'ambientazione natalizia è caratterizzata soprattutto dal tempo atmosferico, con una copiosa nevicata che condiziona anche gli eventi.
All'inizio la parte investigativa è affidata alla polizia locale e a vari elementi di Scotland yard.ma colui che riuscirà a risolvere il mistero è Hermann Glide, investigatore privato che arriva alla soluzione sul filo del rasoio, al termine del processo contro il presunto colpevole.
All'inizio la parte investigativa è affidata alla polizia locale e a vari elementi di Scotland yard.ma colui che riuscirà a risolvere il mistero è Hermann Glide, investigatore privato che arriva alla soluzione sul filo del rasoio, al termine del processo contro il presunto colpevole.
December 30, 2021
This is a good, solid, mystery that I really enjoyed - I just prefer books with a bit more substance.
January 16, 2023
Delizioso giallo inglese, con colpi di scena inattesi e personaggi ben delineati, location perfetta. Autrice abile nel tenere il lettore incollato alla pagina, da recuperare altri suoi titoli!
September 4, 2022
Maybe 2.5 stars would be more accurate.
This Golden Age mystery begins with a very good "manor house mystery" premise: Fourteen people are assembled for a Christmas party/masquerade at an English country manor and during a game of hide-and-seek, one of the guests is murdered.
Unfortunately the plot sinks into an overlong and not very interesting investigation of the crime and large cast are not all well defined, with many being two dimensional and superfluous. The characters that stand out are similar to those in Dalton's "The Strange Case of Harriet Hall", namely the beautiful girl being pushed to marry into a wealthy family by the grandmother (the mother in the case of Harriet Hall) who has extended herself financially to bring it about. The description of the grandmother's straitened circumstances are the most effective passages, IMHO, as were descriptions of the ambitious mother's plight at the end of Harriet Hall. The plights of poor and aging women are more interesting than much of the investigation into the crime, or even the reveal which involves a lot of last minute backstory.
I'm glad to see Amazon and others bringing the Golden Age canon back into print - this just wasn't the best example.
This Golden Age mystery begins with a very good "manor house mystery" premise: Fourteen people are assembled for a Christmas party/masquerade at an English country manor and during a game of hide-and-seek, one of the guests is murdered.
Unfortunately the plot sinks into an overlong and not very interesting investigation of the crime and large cast are not all well defined, with many being two dimensional and superfluous. The characters that stand out are similar to those in Dalton's "The Strange Case of Harriet Hall", namely the beautiful girl being pushed to marry into a wealthy family by the grandmother (the mother in the case of Harriet Hall) who has extended herself financially to bring it about. The description of the grandmother's straitened circumstances are the most effective passages, IMHO, as were descriptions of the ambitious mother's plight at the end of Harriet Hall. The plights of poor and aging women are more interesting than much of the investigation into the crime, or even the reveal which involves a lot of last minute backstory.
I'm glad to see Amazon and others bringing the Golden Age canon back into print - this just wasn't the best example.
January 7, 2025
Altro giallo natalizio che di Natale ha solo l'ambientazione. Gruppo di amici che si riunisce per le feste: tutto rose e fiori fino a quando l'idillio viene interrotto dal ritrovamento improvviso di un cadavere. Probabilmente, una storia già vista e rivista ma che si legge in maniera piuttosto scorrevole e piacevole. I personaggi sono tutti, più o meno, abbastanza caratterizzati. Devo essere sincera, inizialmente, a causa della gran quantità di quest'ultimi, l'ho trovato un po' confusionario ma poi, pian piano, sono riuscita a capirci qualcosa. Non sapevo di chi sospettare fino all'ultimo, ed ho trovato il risvolto della trama non così scontato, come di solito accade. Il lettore viene spiazzato da un plot twist finale che sinceramente ho apprezzato molto. Un giallo simile ma, allo stesso tempo, diverso dagli altri. Carino. So che questo fa parte di una serie ma non credo i restanti libri siano stati tradotti in italiano.
December 16, 2020
First published in 1931, this Golden Age mystery has everything you would expect from the golden age of detective fiction. An odd assortment of individuals are invited to spend Christmas week at a grand English Country House, their relationships are riddled with drama and their recent history tainted by the trauma of the Great War. Of course there is a blizzard and when one of the party is murdered during a game of hide-and-seek not one but two quirky detectives must race against time and battle against politics and the power of wealth to thwart a miscarriage of justice.
This book has everything, including courtroom drama which had me on the edge of my seat, and enough red herrings that I had no idea who the guilty party was until the tense and thrilling denouement!
My Rating - 4/5 stars. I loved the writing of Moray Dalton and will definitely be reading more!
This book has everything, including courtroom drama which had me on the edge of my seat, and enough red herrings that I had no idea who the guilty party was until the tense and thrilling denouement!
My Rating - 4/5 stars. I loved the writing of Moray Dalton and will definitely be reading more!
June 25, 2023
During a house party, the guests play a game of hide and seek which ends in the discovery of a murder. The most obvious suspect is arrested, but his steadfast friends are convinced of his innocence, and, at the recommendation of Inspector Collier (who has been removed from the case), they hire private detective Hermann Glide to investigate. Glide searches for evidence in a race against time, as the court case proceeds.
Collier doesn't figure much in this book, as it focuses more on Glide's search, the characters of the house party, and the court drama. Glide is not fleshed out well, but that doesn't detract from the story. The plot is layered, with many surprises and a satisfying conclusion. Overall, it's well-written, intelligent, and completely engrossing.
Collier doesn't figure much in this book, as it focuses more on Glide's search, the characters of the house party, and the court drama. Glide is not fleshed out well, but that doesn't detract from the story. The plot is layered, with many surprises and a satisfying conclusion. Overall, it's well-written, intelligent, and completely engrossing.
January 8, 2020
This book starts slow and then becomes more exciting as it goes along. It leads to a thrilling court case. I have two problems with this book. The first is that the murder scene could have been described in a more dramatic way. This would have eliminated the slow start. The second is the fact of temporal blindness. The author should have made much more of this as it is an essential part of the story. But the blindness could have been eliminated. There are better ways to place the hero in a precarious situation as temporal blindness. But I like the detective, Glide, and the way he operates. So I might just read some of the other books that Curtis Evans mentions in his introduction.
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June 10, 2024The mystery is weak, but what I really appreciated and enjoyed about this book was that it dwelt so much on all that happens in-between crimes and revelations and detections. Things that take place in the interstices, that aren't directly relevant to the crime, but that impact the life of the characters apart from the crime. Grief, worry, penury, how much the detective charges - things I always want to know about but that are so often overlooked in other works
I hope to read all of Moray Dalton's works, not for the mystery or the plotting, but for her ability to think about her characters as people who are dealing with the minutiae life and crime simultaneously
I hope to read all of Moray Dalton's works, not for the mystery or the plotting, but for her ability to think about her characters as people who are dealing with the minutiae life and crime simultaneously
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