The Safety Pin

by J.S. Fletcher

An elderly man called Deane is murdered in an English town. Inspector Mellapont thinks it's a simple robbery, but others disagree, and Deane's business partner, an attractive young girl named Miss Pretty, offers a reward for information. No fewer than three rogues decide to improve their own prospects by investigating - the two Hackdale brothers, John and Simmons, working independently, and the town drunk James Bartlett, who sobers up rapidly when blackmail and extortion are in prospect. Attention centers on the mayor, Mrs. Champernowne; but when thieves fall out information gets into the hands of the police and a local solicitor, Francis Shelmore, and the plot unravels rapidly.

Genres: Mystery

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1924

About the author

Joseph Smith Fletcher was an English journalist, writer, and fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He studied law before turning to journalism.

His literary career spanned approximately 200 books on a wide variety of subjects including fiction, non-fiction, histories, historical fiction, and mysteries. He was known as one of the leading writers of detective fiction in the Golden Age .

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

I certainly do not read JS Fletcher to be stunned by the skilled detection. Here Superintendent Mellapont does little to further the investigation into the murder of James Deane, and the case is solved and the murderer tracked down by the almost chance recognition of one small item from the crime scene by one of the people who takes an interest in the crime for pecuniary gain.

We are in that familiar Fletcher territory of the small historic town with lots of secrets and a murder with its roots firmly in past history.There are plenty of of “characters “ and both not enough and too much plot (avid readers of JSF will know what I mean.)

I find lot of entertaining elements in Fletcher’s novels and they are easy reading on a dull day when one does not want to think too hard.They are potboilers but sometimes I crave plain fare and this does satisfy that need.

3.25 stars.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young woman arrives in the small English town of Southernstowe to meet her guardian who has been traveling around England. However, when she arrives, she discovered he has disappeared and seeks the help of a local solicitor to find out what happened to her guardian. He takes her to the towns chief policeman Inspector Mellapont who starts a search and the man's body is discovered near the home of the town's wealthy lady mayor. He was murdered and robbed. The acting officer who discovers the body also hides a clue, a safety pin, he finds on the body.

This is a tale of murder, intrigue and blackmail and the revealing of a number of secrets tied to the past along with plot twists. Also a tale of personal greed as several of the characters use possible evidence to try to enhance their personal fortunes over helping the police.

[Jessica Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a man's body is found just outside the home of Southernstowe's Lady Mayor, a dark tale of murder, intrigue and blackmail unfolds. Enjoyable page turner of a mystery with a couple of unexpected small twists.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An elderly man named Deane is missing then found murdered in a small English town where he is a stranger. His partner, Miss Pretty, engages a lawyer and police to help her find him then offers rewards to anyone who can lead her to information about the crime. The Hackdale brothers, John & Simmons, both become involved in the investigation as well as the old town drunk, Bartlett. Many secrets of the past come to light.

Interesting classic mystery with some twists.

[Joan Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read. J S Fletcher wrote this book in the 1920's and the mystery he creates is still readable today. A build up of who dunnit to the ending with a slight twist the reader doesnt anticipate.