Joyce Porter (1) (1924–1990)

Dover Two is even better than Dover One.

Chief Inspector Wilfred Dover is back in Dover Two, as slovenly, crude, rude, lazy and unlikable as ever. His assistant Detective Sergeant Charles Edgar MacGregor is back, too. Ambitious, long-suffering, full of good detecting strategies that usually get ignored or stolen by Dover, definitely not happy to be stuck paired with his Chief. As we get to know Sergeant MacGregor a little better, though, we see that he is a bit of a prig and a prude and not show more always that likable either. This time the pair is investigating a death in the village of Curdley. The victim wasn’t particularly likable, and the villagers are the usual assembly of weird, sneaky characters with many secrets. It’s not even a nice village; Curdley takes the animosity between Protestant and Catholics to a new level.

So with all this unlikable-ness how could I possibly like this book? Well, read it and I think you’ll agree with me. It is a strong British police procedural, with compelling, complicated characters and a well-developed plot full of clues and red herrings and surprises. I had no idea who the murderer was until just before it was revealed and the ending was totally satisfying. Although it appears that Dover is just bumbling along, fighting or taking credit for MacGregor’s ideas every step of the way, there is a lot of solid detective work hidden in there. It is a pleasure to watch things unfold and try to stay a step ahead of author Joyce Porter.

As always, Farrago Press has a knack for finding these old series from the 1950’s and 1960’s that are full of the most delicious use of words and the mental pictures they bring to mind. How can you resist something like, “There was a clock right opposite him on the dining room wall but Dover didn’t believe in keeping a dog and barking himself.”

Once again, many thanks to the folks at Farrago Books for finding another great series and allowing me the opportunity to read, review, and thoroughly enjoy it. I can’t wait to get started on Dover Three. show less

Thanks to Pete at Farrago I have once again had the opportunity for a satisfying, engaging read that I probably would not otherwise have stumbled upon. Farrago Books seems to have a unique talent for digging up old British mysteries that provide a delightful peek into village life in the 1950’s and 1960’s with main characters that are not quite what you expect. And underneath it all is a solid British police procedural. I was first introduced to Colin Watson's Flaxborough series and show more enjoyed it so much I jumped at the chance to start the Inspector Dover series. I’m glad I did. These books are often irreverent, inappropriate, and an acquired taste but I think I’ve got the hunger.

There is absolutely nothing at all likeable about Chief Inspector Wilfred Dover. He is rude, crude, lazy, slovenly, a total boor. Think of all the undesirable traits a person might have and you have just described Inspector Dover. And his sidekick, long-suffering Sergeant Charles Edward MacGregor is just the opposite. Ambitious, ethical, thorough, empathetic. You get the picture. It seems Scotland Yard sent him to Creedshire to investigate the disappearance of Julia Rugg mainly to get him out of the way, but somehow he continues to get results. And take all the credit for them.

Dover One was first published in 1964, so things are probably a little different these days to say the least. So the first thing you need to do when you start reading is to adjust your mindset to accept that the characters are universally repellant. Don’t get bogged down looking for redeeming values, sudden personality changes, hidden admirable motives or politically correct views and language. What you see is what you get. Go along for the ride and enjoy it. Don’t overthink it or try to compare this to contemporary novels.

One of the best things about the books Farrago keeps offering is the writing – even if you don’t like any of the characters, if the book seems dated at times or if you happen to figure out the mystery at the same time the police do, you will be captivated by the fine writing, the joyous use of words and the fabulous phrasing. And even if you don’t want to, you will laugh.

The other best thing about these books from is that they are authentic mysteries with solid plots that have a definite beginning, middle, and end, a step-by-step murder investigation, an abundance of suspects and clues, some red herrings dropped along the way, and a solution that is not obvious. And the writing. Did I mention the excellence of the writing?

Again, many thanks to Pete at Farrago Books for offering me a copy of Dover One via NetGalley. It was very enjoyable, humorously written with a supporting case of eccentric villagers. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series. show less

Another Eddie Brown adventure - the 3rd, so i only have one left. Another ripping yarn, but yes, the jokes been had before and this doesn't really turn over new comedic themes. Eddie is sent to Russia, to a religious outpost and is required to get a bawdy woman pregnant in jail because otherwise she might be executed for murdering one of her lovers and if that happens, she will pull the plug on the religious commune. Whew! yes, it is all that... good clean Russian and sex humor throughout. show more He winds up hiding underground with the sex crazy lady (they broke her out of prison finally) and so he has lots of time on his hands (ala the other 2 books) so he decides to.... write a book. Yes, that part is pretty great. Chock full of culturally inappropriate language and caricature- so beware. show less

That was a delightful palate cleanser. Our fearless detective is a delightful comic creation--The Honourable Constance Ethel Morrison-Burke, after referred to as the Hon. Con., is a selfish, meddling busybody bully with no notion that she's any of these things. She accidentally stumbles upon the detecting business in order to annoy a group that's irritated her, and what better pretext?

She lives with her "friend" Miss Jones (it's the 1960s, so they're circumspect, but I rather suspect show more they're quite good friends indeed) and is called "Butch" by one of the witnesses, so that's rather fun. Really, it was just a nice romp with likably dreadful company (think E.F. Benson & Miss Mapp, say), and I ate it up and want more.

(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). show less