Gently Tragic

Chief Superintendent Gently #40

by Alan Hunter

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Alan Hunter was born at Hoveton, Norfolk and went to school across the River Bure in Wroxham. He left school at 14 and worked on his father's farm near Norwich. He enjoyed dinghy sailing on the Norfolk Broads, wrote natural history notes for the local newspaper, and wrote poetry, some of which was published while he was in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

He married, in 1944, Adelaide Cooper, who survives him with their daughter. After the war he managed the antiquarian books department of Charles Cubitt in Norwich. Four years later, in 1950, he established his own bookshop on Maddermarket in the city.

From 1955 until 1998 he published a Gently detective novel nearly every year. He retired to Brundall in Norfolk where he continued his interests in local history, natural history, and sailing

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

A detective comes home to discover a death on his doorstep. This book is an easy read but nothing too original or special. It struggles editing-wise and is outdated (probably because it was written in 1992)

[Linda Amos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read - difficult to separate from the TV portrayal. Hunter is returning from a night out with his wife to find police cars surrounding a body outside his home. There are several witnesses, some of whom have secrets and may have a motive for the murder. Characters are also found who may have other motives to do away with the victim.
The unsavoury element of the times is not hidden and poverty rears its head.
I have some to the end of my stock of the Gently books so will have to 'hunt' for some more.