As the title suggests, this is a pastiche, showing R. Austin Freeman's scientific detective John Thorndyke in retirement. It's quite a short book (which may please those who find some of the novels rather long-winded) and has his most regular sidekick, Dr. Jervis, coming to stay with him after his wife dies. Naturally, before long they encounter a dead body in a pool, and the doctors investigate. Unusually, Thorndyke's old habit of concealing bits of evidence nearly gets him into trouble with the police, but it's only a temporary setback before he reveals the solution, using a wide range of special knowledge in his own inimitable way. Not up to Freeman's work at its best, but worth your while if you can find a copy, especially as it is virtually unique (unlike Holmes pastiches). ( )