The Case of the Careless Thief: A Ludovic Travers Mystery

Ludovic Travers #53

by Christopher Bush

“How’s it going, George?” “Sheer murder.” When Ludovic Travers went to Sandbeach—“the Blackpool of the South Coast”—his purpose was to investigate on behalf of an insurance company a jewel robbery at one of that lively resort’s leading hotels. The victim of the robbery was Mona Dovell, the flighty wife of an elderly and highly respected magistrate. Ludovic was not long on the job before he discovered that Mona was heavily involved with a bookmaker of dubious reputation, and that her relations with certain members of the local C.I.D. were unconventional to say the least of it. After that, even the robbery itself began to smell fishy, and Ludovic started to wonder if there was not also a strong whiff of corruption in the air. The Case of the Careless Thief was originally published in 1959. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans. “One can only wonder how he keeps up the standard . . . as ingenious and full of meat as ever.” Guardian “In crime writing it's not true that a good wine needs no Bush. The Case of the Careless Thief is another dry sherry by Christopher Bush, one of the best story-tellers in the world.’ Western Mail ‘Ingenious and energetic double-murder set in a garish south coast resort. Ludovic Travers, a polished private eye, investigates a jewel-theft insurance-swindle and uncovers the nastiest bunch of seaside characters since Graham Greene visited Brighton.’ Sydney Morning Herald

269 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Christopher Bush was educated in the local school. He then won a scholarship to Thetford Grammar, and went on to study modern languages at King's College London, after which he worked as a school teacher.

He participated in both world wars.

He was a prolific writer of detective novels, wrote three autobiographical novels and nine books about Breckland life using the nom-de-plume Michael Home.

He lived in Great Hockham.

Reviews

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m enjoying the Christopher Bush series as a cozy, reliable series to go through. I like how civilized they all are — all mystery, no thriller. This isn’t one of the better ones but still a pleasant way to spend an evening.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, later era Travers mystery. No Wharton, the inner monologues/ruminations that Bush can sometimes overdo are kept on a tighter leash, and a lightly sketched coastal setting are all positives for me.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a break of nearly two years I have resumed my reading of a series with which I had become a little tired.

There was plenty of to attract and keep my attention in this 1959 outing for Ludovic Travers. As with others from the period, this one draws on contemporary issues , particularly the Brighton Police Scandal of 1957 which resulted in charges of corruption against several members of the local CID.

Set in a large seaside resort named “Sandbeach” which has a number of similarities to Brighton, it begins with Ludo investigating a rather iffy jewel robbery from the best hotel in the town , at the scene of which a torch has been found, bearing the fingerprints of a known criminal.

Ludo senses that a few things about the case and about some of the police and civilians involved do not quite add up and so he extends his visit and the scope of the investigation.Along with the suspicious death of a local journalist there are some slightly “staged” encounters which strengthen his doubts about the local CID, while in the background lurks the menacing figure of a bookmaker with his finger in a lot of local businesses.

Despite examples of the sexist attitudes of the times, and of different moral standards being applied to men and women, this easy-to-read and well-paced tale was rather enjoyable, if a little underwhelming as a puzzle.