Max Murray (1901–1956)

Quite the book - a ramble round the world, by a young Australian (newspaper reporter) who set off with "the price of a meal" in his pocket and travelled 66,000 miles. Simple but engaging, the author taking work where he found it and enjoying periods of rest when 'in funds' for a while. Towards the end of his wanderings, he visits London for the first time and is captivated - rapturously describing the sights and sounds.

Another by Max Murray, which is hardly a series as none of the characters reappear in the different books. It is only that they are murder mysteries and that "corpse" appears in the titles that brings them together.

This one is based in Singapore or more accurately on a vessel that is waylaid there whilst an investigation in to a fatal poisoning takes place. There is the usual group of characters, including a policeman who seems to take a very relaxed approach to investigation and to often show more mumble so much as to how much he dislikes aspects of his job you wonder why he stays with it.

Obviously a piece of its period.

Big Ship

16 April 2017 show less

There is something about this author

Have read 2 books now, and they are not in a series with the same characters. The books all have "corpse" in their titles.

There is something modern in them. By that I do not mean modern language, or style but, and its quite hard to put a finger on it, but perhaps thought processes.

They were written in the late 50s, so it is a bit of a surprise I am saying that.

Will read some more and see if I can distil what I cannot quite (yet) put my finger on

well worth show more a read

And in case anyone is wondering, it is Good Friday today (so lots of spare time) and I finished off 3 separate books and read this one , hence the 4 books added as of today

Big Ship

14 April 2017 show less

Best of the "corpse " series I have read so far.

Whilst having the word in the title of the books and always (so far at least) a murder mystery, there are no common characters nor places...they seem to be situated all around the world.

From an Australian author who was apparently at his height in the late 40s and 50s and yet seems to be largely unknown today. There is little about his books on the internet

I will definitely be on teh look out for any more from this author (there's re a few to show more go...alas only one more in my collection as of today)

Big Ship

23 April 2017 show less