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Ernest Lamb #3
Pursuit of a Parcel
The parcel was addressed in sprawling capitals to “Antony Rossiter, Esq. By hand.” There was no more address than that.
A sea-faring man brings an unassuming brown paper parcel to the offices of a distinguished law-firm. It soon plunges intelligence operative Antony Rossiter into the lethal underground of international espionage, military intelligence and murder.
An inexplicable prowler is disturbed in a modest London villa during a lull in the great raids; young Delia Merridew meets a young man in her moonlit garden; an unobserved parachutist drops to the earth of occupied Holland. Now Scotland Yard’s Inspector Ernest Lamb and Detective Frank Abbott must unearth the truth before an implacable enemy claims more than one life in this wartime mystery.
Pursuit of a Parcel was originally published in 1942. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1942
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164 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Wentworth
162 books524 followersPatricia Wentworth--born Dora Amy Elles--was a British crime fiction writer.
She was educated privately and at Blackheath High School in London. After the death of her first husband, George F. Dillon, in 1906, she settled in Camberley, Surrey. She married George Oliver Turnbull in 1920 and they had one daughter.
She wrote a series of 32 classic-style whodunnits featuring Miss Silver, the first of which was published in 1928, and the last in 1961, the year of her death.
Miss Silver, a retired governess-turned private detective, is sometimes compared to Jane Marple, the elderly detective created by Agatha Christie. She works closely with Scotland Yard, especially Inspector Frank Abbott and is fond of quoting the poet Tennyson.
Wentworth also wrote 34 books outside of that series.
She was educated privately and at Blackheath High School in London. After the death of her first husband, George F. Dillon, in 1906, she settled in Camberley, Surrey. She married George Oliver Turnbull in 1920 and they had one daughter.
She wrote a series of 32 classic-style whodunnits featuring Miss Silver, the first of which was published in 1928, and the last in 1961, the year of her death.
Miss Silver, a retired governess-turned private detective, is sometimes compared to Jane Marple, the elderly detective created by Agatha Christie. She works closely with Scotland Yard, especially Inspector Frank Abbott and is fond of quoting the poet Tennyson.
Wentworth also wrote 34 books outside of that series.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 30, 2025
Ernest Lamb featured remotely in the novel, but the Fifth Column’s work was the main theme, which was a nice plot with good intrigue. As always, there must be a romance but it was not a strong part of the story. A pleasant read.
May 12, 2015
A romantic espionage-thriller written during WWII. Antony, a young Englishman with a Dutch connection, is questioned about his adopted brother Cornelis Roos, a Dutchman and a double agent. There is some question as to where Cornelis's true loyalties lie. After saying goodbye to his fiance Delia, Antony parachutes into Holland and makes contact with Cornelis. Cornelis tells him that his German spymaster also doubted him, but that he had managed to stay alive by revealing that he had not only recorded the spymaster making compromising remarks that would have Hitler execute him, but that he had smuggled that parcel to England. Shortly after, Antony's presence in Holland is betrayed to the pro-nazi Berend Roos, Cornelis' cousin.
Meanwhile, in England, the parcel has made its way to Delia's uncle. From then on, it is clear that unfriendly forces are trying to get hold of the parcel and will stop at nothing.
This was a pretty generic WWII espionage novel. The plot was not particularly complicated and I saw through the "mystery" half-way through the novel.
Meanwhile, in England, the parcel has made its way to Delia's uncle. From then on, it is clear that unfriendly forces are trying to get hold of the parcel and will stop at nothing.
This was a pretty generic WWII espionage novel. The plot was not particularly complicated and I saw through the "mystery" half-way through the novel.
November 3, 2020
This one is set during the early years of Britain's war against Hitler. There are bombing raids and spies and many people with questionable alliances. Quick bits in Holland and Germany add unusual elements to a Wentworth novel.
We also have Wentworth's all too common couple who grew up together like siblings: YUCK! And the young woman is rather silly, and part of the time is under a chaperon's care.
There is some banter between the British spy and his boss, and the boss' secretary that feels like prototype Bond, M, and Moneypenny. The boss, Frank Garrett, has a few books of his own in a small series by the author, by the way. This book is technically a Lamb/Abbott novel, although Garrett appears more than they do!
Overall this is a tedious mess, with people repeating conversations again and again, lots of nonsense is thrown in between the spy thriller elements, and lots of useless trips back and forth between London and a suburb take up a lot of time. Oh, and that lurid cover is nonsense.
We also have Wentworth's all too common couple who grew up together like siblings: YUCK! And the young woman is rather silly, and part of the time is under a chaperon's care.
There is some banter between the British spy and his boss, and the boss' secretary that feels like prototype Bond, M, and Moneypenny. The boss, Frank Garrett, has a few books of his own in a small series by the author, by the way. This book is technically a Lamb/Abbott novel, although Garrett appears more than they do!
Overall this is a tedious mess, with people repeating conversations again and again, lots of nonsense is thrown in between the spy thriller elements, and lots of useless trips back and forth between London and a suburb take up a lot of time. Oh, and that lurid cover is nonsense.
October 2, 2016
WW2 Espionage Suspense written in 1940
The reason I mention the year this was written is that our modern spy thrillers are told with the hindsight of knowing that Hitler and his thugs were defeated. This is a clever story that employs Ms Wentworth's top writing skills--and as always the heart of the story is an ordinary English girl who finds herself caught up in an extraordinary situation. Very enjoyable. I gulped it down in a rainy afternoon.
The reason I mention the year this was written is that our modern spy thrillers are told with the hindsight of knowing that Hitler and his thugs were defeated. This is a clever story that employs Ms Wentworth's top writing skills--and as always the heart of the story is an ordinary English girl who finds herself caught up in an extraordinary situation. Very enjoyable. I gulped it down in a rainy afternoon.
April 19, 2019
Talk about a cover that does not match the story! I assure you, gentle reader, no slips were seen in this book.
Joking aside, "Pursuit" is one of Ms. Wentworth's espionage stories. It was published in 1942 and takes place in 1940. London is being bombed. The Nazis have occupied Holland. Actually, a couple of really exciting scenes take place there.
Anthony Rossiter and his adopted brother, Cornelius Rossiter both work for MI6. To escape Germany, Cornelius blackmails an important Nazi and, later, tells Anthony that he is mailing him parcel (Hence the title) with all of the evidence.
The plot is gripping. Many of Ms. Wentworth's favorite situations are mentioned. The country village where the heroine lives, the snoopy shopkeeper who keeps track of all the comings and goings, the village referring to Anthony as "Mr. Anthony", a not so good village girl (at the bottom of the social class) provides a clue because the heroine, "Miss Delia" never snubs her. (Perhaps a lesson?)
Interesting: Ms. Wentworth mentions German concentration camps as though they were common knowledge. (I had always assumed that they weren't.)
Warning: a great deal of prejudice is expressed towards Cornelius because he was an adopted and not a biological son. However, not by Anthony who cares about him a lot. (Perhaps another lesson?)
Joking aside, "Pursuit" is one of Ms. Wentworth's espionage stories. It was published in 1942 and takes place in 1940. London is being bombed. The Nazis have occupied Holland. Actually, a couple of really exciting scenes take place there.
Anthony Rossiter and his adopted brother, Cornelius Rossiter both work for MI6. To escape Germany, Cornelius blackmails an important Nazi and, later, tells Anthony that he is mailing him parcel (Hence the title) with all of the evidence.
The plot is gripping. Many of Ms. Wentworth's favorite situations are mentioned. The country village where the heroine lives, the snoopy shopkeeper who keeps track of all the comings and goings, the village referring to Anthony as "Mr. Anthony", a not so good village girl (at the bottom of the social class) provides a clue because the heroine, "Miss Delia" never snubs her. (Perhaps a lesson?)
Interesting: Ms. Wentworth mentions German concentration camps as though they were common knowledge. (I had always assumed that they weren't.)
Warning: a great deal of prejudice is expressed towards Cornelius because he was an adopted and not a biological son. However, not by Anthony who cares about him a lot. (Perhaps another lesson?)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2021
This may be a Stand Alone novel in the Wentworth oeuvre, a not-Miss-Silver mystery, but it is so well done, so fast paced, it might belong among her best of the Miss Silvers. It has the usual element (boy and girl who want to get married), but the plot is a spy thriller. In the list of books by Wentworth, it is the last of the three with Detective Inspector Lamb without the back-up of Miss Silver, but Lamb is not the protagonist. He and Inspector Frank Abbot are not even introduced until Chapter 16 (of 20). No, the legwork and unraveling mostly belong to spy Anthony Rossiter, the afore-mentioned boy and the very astute and clever Delia Merridew, the afore-mentioned girl.
A couple of quibbles about loose ends. First, a dead body is identified, as far as I can tell, as Piet Maartens and Cornelius Roos, but this is never followed up--and the life of at least one person hangs in the balance of whether or not the Piet Maartens identification holds up. Second, why doesn't Delia tell Anthony exactly what she found when she opened the parcel? She tells him everything else and holds nothing back, yet inexplicably, she withholds this information. Hmmm. Not sure how it would change the plot, but it seems out of character for her.
Still. A good book. These quibbles did not spoil my enjoyment.
A couple of quibbles about loose ends. First, a dead body is identified, as far as I can tell, as Piet Maartens and Cornelius Roos, but this is never followed up--and the life of at least one person hangs in the balance of whether or not the Piet Maartens identification holds up. Second, why doesn't Delia tell Anthony exactly what she found when she opened the parcel? She tells him everything else and holds nothing back, yet inexplicably, she withholds this information. Hmmm. Not sure how it would change the plot, but it seems out of character for her.
Still. A good book. These quibbles did not spoil my enjoyment.
September 23, 2020
A really excellent World War II caper story - with double agents, and double crosses, and a mysterious parcel that both British intelligence and the Nazis want to get their hands on. Set partly in London, and partly in one of Patricia Wentworth's cozy small villages. There is even a retired governess, called to play chaperone - but not Miss Maud Silver (though Detective Frank Abbott and Inspector Ernest Lamb play a part, it's apparently counted as one of the Frank Garrett books, the first I've read).
Miss Silver often quotes Tennyson, and there are frequent references to Charlotte Yonge's novels. The local Sgt. Hopkins disapproves of people reading detective novels: "And all of them thinking they're Sherlock Holmes, or Mr Fortune, or Mounseer Poyrott." As another character quickly points out, "Well, you see, Sargent, you read them yourself."
Miss Silver often quotes Tennyson, and there are frequent references to Charlotte Yonge's novels. The local Sgt. Hopkins disapproves of people reading detective novels: "And all of them thinking they're Sherlock Holmes, or Mr Fortune, or Mounseer Poyrott." As another character quickly points out, "Well, you see, Sargent, you read them yourself."
December 13, 2021
"International thrillers" are not Wentworth's best bet. I certainly didn't find this one "gripping". The first 2/3 were standard cosy mystery fare, with plenty of ro-mance mixed in. Then the author suddenly remembered, hey! This is supposed to be about wartime espionage! and tried to do something with that aspect, but with limited success. The ending was very abrupt, as if a) she ran out of ideas and cut her losses or b) someone reminded her that wartime paper shortages meant limited page numbers. About time we were in for hair breadth scapes, she tacked on an "ending" and stopped writing.
Considering that Our Hero does little more than drive around, make phone calls and worry, while The Girl does everything even remotely described as "action", his masterful attitude and treating her like "oh you silly child" at that end was more than a little annoying and cost the book a star.
Considering that Our Hero does little more than drive around, make phone calls and worry, while The Girl does everything even remotely described as "action", his masterful attitude and treating her like "oh you silly child" at that end was more than a little annoying and cost the book a star.
May 2, 2018
Early Bird Book Deal | Probably the best of Wentworth's espionage books, though that's an admittedly low bar | I wonder if readers of the time actually believed their secret service personnel were this stupid. All the supposed twists just blared their secrets all over the page, so it's hard to imagine anyone not seeing them. That said, this contains the pluckiest female character that has ever appeared in a Wentworth novel, one who takes her fate into her own hands and works to save her love and her country.
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April 15, 2022The usual components of a Wentworth mystery--intrigue, abduction, and of course, murder--combine in this entry of the Ernest Lamb series to form a satisfying mystery. As usual in Wentworth's series, the purported sleuth is relegated to a very minor role, but the main characters are compelling, and if a little predictable, the book is nonetheless enjoyable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2020
Exciting Mystery
Marvelously written adventure and exciting mystery that takes from WWII Britain with bombings every night to the countryside and over in occupied Holland. Another great read by Patricia Wentworth.
Marvelously written adventure and exciting mystery that takes from WWII Britain with bombings every night to the countryside and over in occupied Holland. Another great read by Patricia Wentworth.
January 21, 2021
Really good WWII spy novel, with both the British and Germans trying to get their hands on a mysterious parcel. I loved Antony and Delia and the village where much of the story takes place. It was extremely suspenseful.
November 17, 2017
The cover art for this book sort of says it all.
August 4, 2018
Starts well, tails off towards the end. More of an adventure rather than a mystery. Full review at classicmystery.blog
May 30, 2022
Not her best by a long shot and Lamb and Abbott barely make an appearance.
July 11, 2022
Not much Inspector Lamb or Abbott in this third in series, but it was set in WWII England amid the Blitz and had spies and the requisite love story. Entertaining read.
September 12, 2022
Not a fan and I love her books, especially Miss Silver.
November 25, 2023
Nice fluffy romantic WW2 spy story.
March 7, 2017
This is one of those cozy British mysteries that so many love, perhaps because PBS has introduced many who have not red English popular faire to the subtle craft that made readers of English mysteries so entranced.
In this book Nazis are trying to interrupt a package they believe will compromise them, and send their thugs into a small very typical village to get their hands on it. It is one of the Anthony Rosseiter series, a British pilot who now works with the government to gather information on Nazi plans.
In this book Nazis are trying to interrupt a package they believe will compromise them, and send their thugs into a small very typical village to get their hands on it. It is one of the Anthony Rosseiter series, a British pilot who now works with the government to gather information on Nazi plans.
November 23, 2016
Another Patricia Wentworth book this one an international thriller.As with all her books a real page turner,
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews