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A review by paperbacksandpines
An English Murder by Cyril Hare
4.0
I was immediately taken with this book because it promised to be an isolated closed circle mystery. The golden era of the country manor house was beginning to end, being replaced by the modern age. Live in domestic staff went off in search of better job opportunities, freedom of movement, and the ability to move between classes. Warbeck House's butler was left with little help and a crumbling estate about to be taxed into extinction.
I enjoyed the commentary on the political beliefs that drove WWII and did not disappear in the minds of many after the war. The author played on these prejudices without making the reader feel that they were his own.
I was pleasantly surprised to that this story did not revolve around an unlikeable patriarch that one of the family members killed and which all were a suspect. Instead, many of the guests at the Warbeck house were unlikeable in some way.
Although this story included Rogers, a Special Branch Detective, who was Sir Julius's bodyguard, subsequently investigating the crimes until the proper authorities could arrive, it was Dr. Bottwink, a history professor and researcher staying at the house who ultimately solved the mystery. Bottwink reminded me of Hercule Poirot, although he was less self important and quirky and more irritating to the guests. His personality lent a subtle interesting air of levity and humor to a book that might be considered a standard potboiler of the time.
I enjoyed this classic murder mystery reminiscent of the works of Agatha Christie and would recommend reading more books written by Cyril Hare.
I enjoyed the commentary on the political beliefs that drove WWII and did not disappear in the minds of many after the war. The author played on these prejudices without making the reader feel that they were his own.
I was pleasantly surprised to that this story did not revolve around an unlikeable patriarch that one of the family members killed and which all were a suspect. Instead, many of the guests at the Warbeck house were unlikeable in some way.
Although this story included Rogers, a Special Branch Detective, who was Sir Julius's bodyguard, subsequently investigating the crimes until the proper authorities could arrive, it was Dr. Bottwink, a history professor and researcher staying at the house who ultimately solved the mystery. Bottwink reminded me of Hercule Poirot, although he was less self important and quirky and more irritating to the guests. His personality lent a subtle interesting air of levity and humor to a book that might be considered a standard potboiler of the time.
I enjoyed this classic murder mystery reminiscent of the works of Agatha Christie and would recommend reading more books written by Cyril Hare.