Reading the 20th Century discussion

Not a favourite however the latest episode of Backlisted is about...



Miss Pym Disposes (1946)

...which I notice Susan and RC both rated four stars in 2019.


The podcast makes her sound very intriguing

This episode focusses on Josephine Tey's classic mystery Miss Pym Disposes (1946), recorded as part of Aberdeen's Granite Noir festival on February 19th 2021. Joining John and Andy to explore the life and career of Josephine Tey AKA Gordon Daviot AKA Elizabeth MacKintosh (her real name) is Val McDermid, bestselling author and Tey's fellow Queen of Crime.

Tey was the author of a series of highly successful novels, and film and TV adaptations, including Brat Farrar, The Franchise Affair and The Daughter of Time, yet she remains something of an enigma. As you'll hear, we thoroughly enjoyed immersing ourselves in her work and learning more about her from Val.

https://www.backlisted.fm/episodes/13...


So, Josephine Tey, what's your verdict?

I've now finished the podcast and look forward to trying some Josephine Tey.

Val McDermid does a wonderful job of extolling her virtues as a writer - she also has a fascinating backstory

The podcast is well worth a listen

I struggle a bit with Josephine Tey. Miss Pym Disposes was my favourite of those I have read, but she is not my favourite GA author and I particularly struggled with the all-time classic, The Daughter of Time

There is a modern, mystery series, by Nicola Upson, in which Josephine Tey is the main character. An Expert in Murder is the first.

Val McDermid thinks she links GA with the next era and is quite untypical

I've read all Tey's novels and think she writes beautifully, and if she had lived longer would be better known and possibly extolled as one of the Queens of Crime.

I especially like Brat Farrar (a 5* read for me!) and also enjoyed most of her Inspector Grant series - Grant himself starts off as quite colourless but becomes an increasingly fascinating character as the series goes on, I think, showing the way forward to later generations of driven workaholic detectives.

But I do agree with Susan that The Daughter of Time seemed disappointing when I reread it, though I loved it as a teenager - and unfortunately it has problems which also crop up in her other books, as she continually claims it is possible to read people's characters by their faces (including a portrait of a noble-looking Richard III).

She also often appears to be very socially conservative even by the standards of GA writers, although I think it isn't always clear where she shares her characters' views and where she intends readers to question them. Anyway, a fascinating writer, and this thread has reminded me that I have been meaning to read a biography of her to find out more about her life.

Thanks Judy - that's both interesting and inspirational


Judy wrote: "Anyway, a fascinating writer, and this thread has reminded me that I have been meaning to read a biography of her to find out more about her life. "

I would recommend listening to the Backlisted episode too - it will inspire you even more. Val McDermid really knows her onions.

Judy wrote:


"I have been meaning to read a biography of her to find out more about her life. "

Josephine Tey: a Life by Jennifer Morag Henderson has a wonderful cover and some great reviews

Josephine Tey was the pen-name of Elizabeth MacKintosh (1896 - 1952). Born in Inverness, MacKintosh lived several ‘lives’: best known as Golden Age Crime Fiction writer ‘Josephine Tey’, she was also successful novelist and playwright ‘Gordon Daviot’. At one point, she had plays on simultaneously in the West End in London and on Broadway, and even wrote for Hollywood - all from her home in the north of Scotland.

I have a copy of Plays by Gordon Daviot (not actually shown on Goodreads), which has Dickon, Valerius and Little Dry Thorn. I remember listening, with my parents, to the BBC broadcast of Valerius in 1961, and loving it.

I enjoy some of Tey's books more than others. I think my favourite is .

I'd agree with Judy that Tey writes beautifully and, for me, is the most literate of the GA novelists.

That said, I had huge problems rereading her The Franchise Affair recently for the way it viciously demonises a working class young woman. Tey was conservative and Conservative but that doesn't usually intrude in her books, especially as some are set in arty circles, but I found Franchise vile.

Love the others, though. I'm not sure if I've read the Richard III one or not.

I also love the Nicola Upson series that features Tey - interestingly, Upson recuperates Tey's more reactionary politics and makes her character inclusive and way more palatable.

Thanks, I was going to ask about the Nicola Upson series, haven't read any of them.

I'd say some are better than others in that they start out being kind of Golden Age fanfic (not that there's anything wrong with that), but some of them are deeper: The Death of Lucy Kyte, for example which, annoyingly I haven't reviewed.

I also particularly liked Fear in the Sunlight and London Rain for its interesting BBC setting.

But I haven't given any of them less than 3 stars.

I've read the first two Upson's, and really liked them, but then I knew the places they are set. Also I am a Golden Age reader, and will read on.

I've enjoyed the Upson books. I like Tey. I first read The Daughter of Time in college (it was assigned/strongly suggested reading).

Thank you for suggesting the podcast, Nigeyb, I will give it a listen. I've had the biography on my TBR for some time, but need to actually get on and read it!