Basil Thomson (1861–1939)

A very solid, no-nonsense police procedural from 1936. Our lead detective, Inspector Richardson, has moved quickly up the career ladder, and this book shows why: he’s not afraid to listen to civilians and enlist their aid, he doesn’t jump to conclusions, he can admit a mistake and alter course, and he’s a skilled but not oppressive interrogator.
Mr. Pomeroy is pottering about in his garden one morning when he’s visited by some people interested in leasing a bungalow like his. When he show more checks to see if his wife would mind this early-morning intrusion, he finds Mrs. Pomeroy dead in the bath. And naturally he’s the premiere suspect.
The ensuing investigation involves several diverse plot lines, some of which are easily seen by the reader. Richardson keeps at it, untwisting the threads until he finds the solution.
While characterization is limited, and ambiance nonexistent, this book still held my interest. Nothing over the top, no foolishness, a tiny amount of welcome humor; I’d recommend this to those who like mysteries from this era, and who don’t want a lot of gore with their murders. show less

Oh boy.

This is a decent mystery/police procedural written in 1934 by Basil Thomson, who was quite a character in his own right.

The third book in the Inspector Richardson series concerns Naomi Clynes, who is found dead in her apartment. The inspector, who is rising very rapidly in the ranks because of his dedication, willingness to follow up every lead closely, and a certain flair or intuition, isn’t satisfied with the initial belief that Miss Clynes had committed suicide. The plot flows show more nicely, there’s a tiny bit of humor, and some pleasant characterization.

The problem with book is repeated, casual, mild but extremely annoying, antisemitism. I considered not finishing the book but did go on to the end.

Be warned, and adjust yourself accordingly. show less

Another entry in the Inspector Richardson mystery series. It’s best described as a cozy police procedural. No gore, really no nastiness; the reader isn’t attached to the victim.

Even though I’ve read all but one in this short series, I still find them somewhat less than great. He plots are good; the procedures are just right (author Thomson spent many years as a high official at Scotland Yard); but…there’s really no emotional involvement. They’re just puzzles to be solved. show more Inspector Richardson is a man to admire, but even he is fairly muted.
Here, a beautiful young woman is murdered and the police must follow a obscure set of clues, and work with France’s Surete as well.
Sort of recommended. show less

This is a short British police procedural crime novel written and set in the mid 1930's. A young diplomat at the British Embassy in Paris dies in suspicious circumstances. The Ambassador fears the French press will turn the incident into a political scandal. He asks Scotland Yard to send detectives to Paris to "assist" the French police. Inspector Richardson and his sergeant Cooper are on the next boat train to France.
It's a cleverly plotted story, although I found it a tedious read at times show more due to a wordy writing style, that often turned pompous. Ignoring this distraction, the underlying story is good with several interesting characters to occupy the detectives' time. There's some amusing red herrings, like the mysterious set of photos of zoo animals.
The French police and press are ridiculed throughout the book. It's difficult to say whether this was intentional or just a casual demonstration of the then current British attitude towards France. The English police constantly contrast French police methods with those of their own, which are of course the superior ones.
I found Detective Sergeant Cooper's role more interesting than Inspector Richardson. Cooper went undercover posing as a wealthy French Canadian (someone from the "French colony in Quebec") with the need to dress extravagantly and speak French like it was spoken in the 18th Century. (An unexplained casual knock against French Canadians?). The French inspector Bigot is portrayed as an ambitious buffoon, who is supported admirably by Charles Verneuil, a former naval officer turned detective. Verneuil and the Scotland Yard detectives make a great team. The characters that inhabit the British Embassy represent the dandies of the Foreign Office to good effect.
There's an Introduction to the book written by Martin Edwards which is a helpful piece of background to both the author and the story.
In the final analysis, this is an enjoyable police procedural from the Golden Age of crime fiction that is well worth wading through its wordiness. show less