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Mrs. Bradley #12
Hangman's Curfew
A VINTAGE MURDER MYSTERY
Rediscover Gladys Mitchell - one of the 'Big Three' female crime fiction writers alongside Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers.
A friend staying with distinguished psychoanalyst and sometime detective Mrs Bradley is alarmed by a chance meeting with a pale young man who claims his uncle is being poisoned - is there a detective who could help discover the culprit? Mrs Bradley is soon on the case, but upon investigation it seems the uncle is in the best of health. But then the old man does indeed die suddenly, followed by his nephew, and Mrs Bradley finds herself in the murderer's firing line.
Opinionated, unconventional, unafraid... If you like Poirot and Miss Marple, you'll love Mrs Bradley.
- GenresMysteryMystery Thriller
248 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1941
39 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Gladys Mitchell
92 books142 followersAka Malcolm Torrie, Stephen Hockaby.
Born in Cowley, Oxford, in 1901, Gladys Maude Winifred Mitchell was the daughter of market gardener James Mitchell, and his wife, Annie.
She was educated at Rothschild School, Brentford and Green School, Isleworth, before attending Goldsmiths College and University College, London from 1919-1921.
She taught English, history and games at St Paul's School, Brentford, from 1921-26, and at St Anne's Senior Girls School, Ealing until 1939.
She earned an external diploma in European history from University College in 1926, beginning to write her novels at this point. Mitchell went on to teach at a number of other schools, including the Brentford Senior Girls School (1941-50), and the Matthew Arnold School, Staines (1953-61). She retired to Corfe Mullen, Dorset in 1961, where she lived until her death in 1983.
Although primarily remembered for her mystery novels, and for her detective creation, Mrs. Bradley, who featured in 66 of her novels, Mitchell also published ten children's books under her own name, historical fiction under the pseudonym Stephen Hockaby, and more detective fiction under the pseudonym Malcolm Torrie. She also wrote a great many short stories, all of which were first published in the Evening Standard.
She was awarded the Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger Award in 1976.
Born in Cowley, Oxford, in 1901, Gladys Maude Winifred Mitchell was the daughter of market gardener James Mitchell, and his wife, Annie.
She was educated at Rothschild School, Brentford and Green School, Isleworth, before attending Goldsmiths College and University College, London from 1919-1921.
She taught English, history and games at St Paul's School, Brentford, from 1921-26, and at St Anne's Senior Girls School, Ealing until 1939.
She earned an external diploma in European history from University College in 1926, beginning to write her novels at this point. Mitchell went on to teach at a number of other schools, including the Brentford Senior Girls School (1941-50), and the Matthew Arnold School, Staines (1953-61). She retired to Corfe Mullen, Dorset in 1961, where she lived until her death in 1983.
Although primarily remembered for her mystery novels, and for her detective creation, Mrs. Bradley, who featured in 66 of her novels, Mitchell also published ten children's books under her own name, historical fiction under the pseudonym Stephen Hockaby, and more detective fiction under the pseudonym Malcolm Torrie. She also wrote a great many short stories, all of which were first published in the Evening Standard.
She was awarded the Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger Award in 1976.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 27, 2022
A baffling mystery. A good entry to the series.
May 3, 2014
Mrs Bradley finds herelf being lead to take an interest in a case by means which she doesn't altogether care for. She feels she is being manipulated and that the case may not actually exist and even if it does it may not be what it seems.
Someone's uncle might be about to die from poisoning and when Mrs Bradley visits what appears to be the house concerned she suspects strychnine in the cocoa she is given. After that episode she starts to think there might be something in it after all.
The chase will take her to many places including the Lincolnshire/Yorkshire border and several places in Scotland before the whole case is finally laid bare to the many people who have become involved in it. This is an exciting and intriguing read with a nail biting finale with many of the characters involved under siege. There are codes and ciphers involved as well as Border Ballads.
There is plenty to keep the reader guessing in this complex mystery and there are plenty of amusing comments from Mrs Bradley to keep people amused while they scratch their heads over the various clues. If you like your crime stories traditional then try Mrs Bradley.
Someone's uncle might be about to die from poisoning and when Mrs Bradley visits what appears to be the house concerned she suspects strychnine in the cocoa she is given. After that episode she starts to think there might be something in it after all.
The chase will take her to many places including the Lincolnshire/Yorkshire border and several places in Scotland before the whole case is finally laid bare to the many people who have become involved in it. This is an exciting and intriguing read with a nail biting finale with many of the characters involved under siege. There are codes and ciphers involved as well as Border Ballads.
There is plenty to keep the reader guessing in this complex mystery and there are plenty of amusing comments from Mrs Bradley to keep people amused while they scratch their heads over the various clues. If you like your crime stories traditional then try Mrs Bradley.
May 24, 2017
I liked Mrs. Bradley as a character the best in this book, but I was hopelessly lost in the plot. I spent a good deal of the book floundering and trying to figure out what was happening. This may be a weakness in me as a reader, but it left me with a or impression of the book.
December 13, 2022
"bored or lazy readers..." Yep, that's me.
I will freely admit to being lazy, but not when it comes to reading. I've never before been bored by that uniquely entertaining psychologist/detective Mrs Bradley, but when old Gladys suggested I could skip some of the damned "border ballads", she didn't have to tell me twice.
If we're honest, all detective fiction depends heavily on the use of improbable coincidences, but the beginning of this one (wherein young Gillian just happens to meet a young man with a tragic family situation that can only be solved by a psychologist/detective) is even harder to swallow than most. How many people who answer to that description can there be in England in 1941? Only Mrs Bradley, of course, but how did the young man know of Gillians' connection to her and why does he want her to be involved? If we are ever told this, I missed it.
The young man's "story" has holes in it, beginning with the location of the house in which his uncle supposedly lives. That's the uncle who's in danger of being murdered by greedy relatives. Nothing unusual there. Commendably energetic relatives are always trying to hurry old folks into the grave to get their inheritances sooner. Today, we call it being "proactive" and it's considered highly praiseworthy.
But (when Mrs Bradley starts nosing around) the names don't match and the "gamekeeper" is an obvious fake. Then Mrs Bradley and her young friend are under seige themselves because someone thinks they have a book with a valuable map in it. Maybe they DID have it, but I don't remember nor how they got it. So my mind was definitely wandering even by that point.
THEN it comes to pass that the answer to the puzzle lies in traditional Scots poems or ballads. That's when the author told me I could start skipping. I'd already been skipping, to be honest, but it was nice to have her permission. Although an Englishwoman, Mitchell had some Scots blood and was said to have worried her friends by becoming giddy when she crossed the border. Judging by this book, I believe it.
The story poked along, with a couple of murders and some hints of old men being kept drugged until their secrets could be uncovered. Frankly, I was ready to give it one star (two at the most) and warn other readers away. This author produced an incredible number of books while teaching full time and coaching team sports and serving as an active member of the Dectection Club. [When they managed to persuade Agatha Christie to serve as President one year, she agreed with the stipulation that Gladys Mitchell would do all the talking.]
My point is that this was a busy woman and it comes as no surprise that some of her books are better than others. I like most of them, love a few of them, and this is only the second one I've read that I regretted buying.
But then, like a miracle, Mrs Bradley finds one of the endangered uncles, who turns out to be an old boyfriend of hers. He and the wonderful Mrs Fenwick are worth the price of admission by themselves, plus there's a young boy from the nearby village and he's a joy, too. Then Gillian and her younger sister show up and the BAD GUYS are ready to attack to get that secret map. From that point on, it's a hilariously funny action movie with the Amazons defending the ancient tower from the EVIL HEIR and his henchmen. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
This book was published in 1941, by which time England had been at war with Germany for two years. The author ignores the war completely, which was wise. God knows, there's plenty of violence without it. I was particularly impressed with Gillian's gutsiness and fighting ability. At a time when American girls were forbidden to play full-court basketball (too much running being dangerous for frail females) English girls were playing smash-mouth field hockey and becoming quite adept at taking out their opponents at all costs.
So skip and skim and swipe all you want to. Just read the last part of the book (say Chapter 9 and beyond.) You'll still have to skip over some of the ballads. Don't worry if you're not certain who all the players are or what side they're on. Trust me, it won't spoil the fun one bit.
I will freely admit to being lazy, but not when it comes to reading. I've never before been bored by that uniquely entertaining psychologist/detective Mrs Bradley, but when old Gladys suggested I could skip some of the damned "border ballads", she didn't have to tell me twice.
If we're honest, all detective fiction depends heavily on the use of improbable coincidences, but the beginning of this one (wherein young Gillian just happens to meet a young man with a tragic family situation that can only be solved by a psychologist/detective) is even harder to swallow than most. How many people who answer to that description can there be in England in 1941? Only Mrs Bradley, of course, but how did the young man know of Gillians' connection to her and why does he want her to be involved? If we are ever told this, I missed it.
The young man's "story" has holes in it, beginning with the location of the house in which his uncle supposedly lives. That's the uncle who's in danger of being murdered by greedy relatives. Nothing unusual there. Commendably energetic relatives are always trying to hurry old folks into the grave to get their inheritances sooner. Today, we call it being "proactive" and it's considered highly praiseworthy.
But (when Mrs Bradley starts nosing around) the names don't match and the "gamekeeper" is an obvious fake. Then Mrs Bradley and her young friend are under seige themselves because someone thinks they have a book with a valuable map in it. Maybe they DID have it, but I don't remember nor how they got it. So my mind was definitely wandering even by that point.
THEN it comes to pass that the answer to the puzzle lies in traditional Scots poems or ballads. That's when the author told me I could start skipping. I'd already been skipping, to be honest, but it was nice to have her permission. Although an Englishwoman, Mitchell had some Scots blood and was said to have worried her friends by becoming giddy when she crossed the border. Judging by this book, I believe it.
The story poked along, with a couple of murders and some hints of old men being kept drugged until their secrets could be uncovered. Frankly, I was ready to give it one star (two at the most) and warn other readers away. This author produced an incredible number of books while teaching full time and coaching team sports and serving as an active member of the Dectection Club. [When they managed to persuade Agatha Christie to serve as President one year, she agreed with the stipulation that Gladys Mitchell would do all the talking.]
My point is that this was a busy woman and it comes as no surprise that some of her books are better than others. I like most of them, love a few of them, and this is only the second one I've read that I regretted buying.
But then, like a miracle, Mrs Bradley finds one of the endangered uncles, who turns out to be an old boyfriend of hers. He and the wonderful Mrs Fenwick are worth the price of admission by themselves, plus there's a young boy from the nearby village and he's a joy, too. Then Gillian and her younger sister show up and the BAD GUYS are ready to attack to get that secret map. From that point on, it's a hilariously funny action movie with the Amazons defending the ancient tower from the EVIL HEIR and his henchmen. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
This book was published in 1941, by which time England had been at war with Germany for two years. The author ignores the war completely, which was wise. God knows, there's plenty of violence without it. I was particularly impressed with Gillian's gutsiness and fighting ability. At a time when American girls were forbidden to play full-court basketball (too much running being dangerous for frail females) English girls were playing smash-mouth field hockey and becoming quite adept at taking out their opponents at all costs.
So skip and skim and swipe all you want to. Just read the last part of the book (say Chapter 9 and beyond.) You'll still have to skip over some of the ballads. Don't worry if you're not certain who all the players are or what side they're on. Trust me, it won't spoil the fun one bit.
March 2, 2022
What did not please me in this Mrs. Lestrange Bradley tale, was the long arm of coincidence which got her involved. The Scots Ballads and, more especially, the perigrinations around the Border country and deepest Lanarkshire, were probaby incomprehensible to those readers who did not have the appropriate OS maps available. But to those of us given a comprehensive and traditional Scottish education, all was as clear as it ever is in one of GM's convoluted stories.
There was a great idea here of a double/parallel plot, which was too soon made manifest, and, after that, it was all a trifle dull and over-prolonged in the unravelling.
After three in a row, time for a rest from the Great Gladys.
3.5 stars.
There was a great idea here of a double/parallel plot, which was too soon made manifest, and, after that, it was all a trifle dull and over-prolonged in the unravelling.
After three in a row, time for a rest from the Great Gladys.
3.5 stars.
May 13, 2018
Dame Beatrice and Gillian stumble on a plot involving impersonations, buried treasure, ballads, young men on motorcycles, sieges and sorties. Dame Beatrice is mightily active in this one, what with chasing suspects and holding them at gunpoint, taking hostages and even blowing up houses, but with too many uncles being poisoned and the confusion of which nephew is the murderous one, I got really muddled with all of it.
September 16, 2023
Well, the first third is a bit much - slow and a bit ponderous. I didn't even try to figure out the "puzzle" that figures through so much. The overall plot is a bit ... whew, overblown. So much! A little over-devious! Dead bodies that aren't dead! A side plot based on a real (in real life) murder that was never solved - only there to be a distraction from the real plot! But ... in the end, it's a bit fun. The games are fun once you know what's going on.
February 28, 2025
Beautifully written as always but rather difficult to follow at times(by me anyway) There were a couple of outrageous coincidences but it was very enjoyable nevertheless. What a great character Mrs Bradley is.
November 22, 2025
Wonderful
As usual a very interesting story. MS Bradley again foils the enemy. Looking forward to seeing what will happen next.
As usual a very interesting story. MS Bradley again foils the enemy. Looking forward to seeing what will happen next.
December 27, 2016
I had diminished expectations of Hangman's Curfew on account of other reviews (bearing in mind that I distrust reviews which complain about literary references in a book) and its rarity, but was pleasantly surprised. It was irritating to discover that I owned the wrong edition of The Oxford Book of Ballads (I have only the newer one, but have ordered Q's version for my later review), but it was not that crippling to enjoying the plot. Strangely absent was any mention of the War, as though this book were conceived while the Long Week-End still held. Some nice touches rounded out this entertaining tale, although maybe that was just my leftover Xmas good-will talking. Gillian and her sister Leslie look like obvious precursors to the soon-to-arrive Laura Menzies, and Mrs. B. is in fine crocodilian form, active and more dangerous than in the books of the '30s, but following the trend of Printer's Error and Brazen Tongue. Don't let other readers who are lazy and can't be bothered to follow a twisty-turny Mitchell plot put you off: Hangman's Curfew is a lot of fun.
Full review to follow.
Full review to follow.
September 13, 2014
Another really strong mystery from Gladys Mitchell. A lot of energy, a strong story though too much poetry and speaking in quotations for me, personally. However, the supporting cast was strong enough to make up for the quotes! I especially enjoyed the Yorkshire dialect of Tom and his mother, and enjoyed Elspat as well. I may be biased -- there is a Gillian in this story who is accomplished at rugby tackles, so I was bound to enjoy this.
February 25, 2015
Delightful Plotting
I'm so glad to read Gladys Mitchell in print again. I enjoyed her clever stories many years ago and her writing transcends time. I wonder what she might think of all her famous Mrs. Bradley today?
I'm so glad to read Gladys Mitchell in print again. I enjoyed her clever stories many years ago and her writing transcends time. I wonder what she might think of all her famous Mrs. Bradley today?
April 10, 2019
pretty good mystery! got me hooked halfway through, altho i gotta admit i skipped over the ballads.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews