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mariafernandagama's review against another edition
3.0
Very entertaining, but I did guess the ending (unlike the previous two in the series).
misajane79's review against another edition
5.0
These are delightful mysteries that I'm never completely able to predict. Didn't love this one quite as much as the first one, but still well worth a read.
siria's review against another edition
2.0
Not as complex or as tongue-in-cheek as the first two installments in this trilogy, The Affair of the Thirty Nine Cufflinks also commits the cardinal sin of the "murder in an English country house" genre: the identity of the murderer is obvious from the get-go.
davidlz1's review against another edition
3.0
A truly classic British whodunit. Fun to read. Somewhat heavy on the stereotypical classic but entertaining nonetheless. Certainly re-readable. I've ordered a copy for my personal library!
quietjenn's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the other books in his series much more, but am glad to have read it. Still somewhat witty and clever mystery, but our grumpy detective seems more subdued and I sussed things out pretty quickly. When it took the key players much longer to do so, I was a bit annoyed by them. And, I thought some of the players and moves in this reveal were a bit too stock and less interesting than I would've liked.
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
3.0
The Affair of the 39 Cufflinks is the third in a series of country house mystery send-ups by James Anderson. Real Golden Age mystery fare with a humorous twist. Lord Burford has misgivings about his wife's planned house party. That's perfectly understandable. After all, during the last two country house gatherings there had been "unfortunate incidents"--that is to say, murders. Lavinia assures her husband that this time it's different. This time the people are family. But, of course, this time things begin to go wrong when one of the guests claims she has knowledge that would fling mud on the others' reputations. Then, surprise, she's found murdered....
Although not quite as witty as the first two in this series, Cufflinks is still a marvelous and funny working of the classic British crime novel. You have the family gathering around the lawyer for the reading of the will. You have the deceased reaching from the grave to tweak the noses of the eager-beaver beneficiaries. You have the scorned relative uttering dire threats. You have motives lurking in every corner. But there is also a whole lot of mysterious nonsense...39 cufflinks strewn everywhere around the bed where the murdered woman lay, a poltergeist throwing bits of a suit of armor around the gallery, shadowy prowlers stealing....toothpaste. Toothpaste? And there to get to the bottom of it all is Detective Chief Inspector Wilkins. Wilkins who knew the secret of the blood-stained egg cosy and the mutilated mink coat. Now he must decipher the meaning of the multitude of cufflinks.
Lots of fun. Plenty of delicious dialogue. And a twisty little plot. A nice quick read for when you need entertainment more than deep, dark secrets. Three stars. And a big Thank You to Yvette at In So Many Words for sending me this lovely copy!
And I just have to share this exchange between Lady Geraldine (Lord Burford's daughter) and their butler, Merryweather:
"Well done, Merry!" she said when he'd finished. "You're obviously a natural detective. I can see I'm going to have to get you to help me on this case. After all, Bunter, Lord Peter Wimsey's man, often assists him in his investigations."
"I am slightly acquainted with Mr. Bunter, my lady; an admirable man, but I fear I do not share either his ability at or enthusiasm for ratiocination and criminology."
"Where's your spirit of adventure?"
"I have none, your ladyship."
Although not quite as witty as the first two in this series, Cufflinks is still a marvelous and funny working of the classic British crime novel. You have the family gathering around the lawyer for the reading of the will. You have the deceased reaching from the grave to tweak the noses of the eager-beaver beneficiaries. You have the scorned relative uttering dire threats. You have motives lurking in every corner. But there is also a whole lot of mysterious nonsense...39 cufflinks strewn everywhere around the bed where the murdered woman lay, a poltergeist throwing bits of a suit of armor around the gallery, shadowy prowlers stealing....toothpaste. Toothpaste? And there to get to the bottom of it all is Detective Chief Inspector Wilkins. Wilkins who knew the secret of the blood-stained egg cosy and the mutilated mink coat. Now he must decipher the meaning of the multitude of cufflinks.
Lots of fun. Plenty of delicious dialogue. And a twisty little plot. A nice quick read for when you need entertainment more than deep, dark secrets. Three stars. And a big Thank You to Yvette at In So Many Words for sending me this lovely copy!
And I just have to share this exchange between Lady Geraldine (Lord Burford's daughter) and their butler, Merryweather:
"Well done, Merry!" she said when he'd finished. "You're obviously a natural detective. I can see I'm going to have to get you to help me on this case. After all, Bunter, Lord Peter Wimsey's man, often assists him in his investigations."
"I am slightly acquainted with Mr. Bunter, my lady; an admirable man, but I fear I do not share either his ability at or enthusiasm for ratiocination and criminology."
"Where's your spirit of adventure?"
"I have none, your ladyship."
miawvdl's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
samanthawattam's review
4.0
This is the third and last book in a trilogy of murder mysteries written by James Anderson and set at Alderley, the seat of the Burfords. The family hold the funeral, memorial and Will reading for the Honourable Florence ‘Florrie’ Saunders who had been 96 years old. However, the reading of the Will proves to be a catalyst for murder.
I inadvertently borrowed this book thinking it was Book 2 of this series but it isn’t its Book 3 so had to stop go and borrow actual Book 2 - The Affair of the Mutilated Mink. I was worried therefore reading the 2 books so closely together I might get bored but ... I am pleased to say I think this was the best of the last 2 in the series and I’m amazed I managed to pick the murderer! I found it funny in parts and I liked the whole set up of the story and the characters which carries through each book and the time period between each book is about 6 months. An enjoyable read.
I inadvertently borrowed this book thinking it was Book 2 of this series but it isn’t its Book 3 so had to stop go and borrow actual Book 2 - The Affair of the Mutilated Mink. I was worried therefore reading the 2 books so closely together I might get bored but ... I am pleased to say I think this was the best of the last 2 in the series and I’m amazed I managed to pick the murderer! I found it funny in parts and I liked the whole set up of the story and the characters which carries through each book and the time period between each book is about 6 months. An enjoyable read.
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