Michael Innes (1906–1994)

Martyn Ashmore believes that on one day each year an attempt is made on his life and one year it will be successful. On the day in question he meets Sir John Appleby, invites him to lunch and as they are about to enter the house a heavy piece of masonry falls between them. Although sceptical at first, Appleby decides to investigate further.

I had a big grin while reading this thoroughly enjoyable excursion into one of Sir John's loopier adventures which every now and then burst into a fit of giggles.… (more)

Originally published in 1937, Hamlet, Revenge! is the second novel to feature Inspector John Appleby as he investigates the murder of Lord Auldearn, the Lord Chancellor of England during an amateur production of Hamlet at the country house of the Duke of Horton. Appleby works closely with Giles Gott, who appeared in the first book of the series and keeps Appleby informed on the guests and family at the large country estate of Scamnum Court. Along with the murder, there is espionage and a mysterious puzzle to unravel.

I won’t be counting this book as one of my favorites of Innes as I found it rather too clever. Chock full of Shakespearan quotes, the actual plot was intricate but dense and moved very slowly. There was a large cast of characters to keep track of and they all seemed to have motive and opportunity. Overall I found the story rather pretentious, slightly amusing but not a book that I believe I will long remember.… (more)

First published in 1936, Death at the President’s Lodging is both author Michael Innes first novel and the first book in his Inspector Appleby series. The body of the President of St. Anthony’s College is discovered in his study, and it’s appearance appears rather staged as his head is swathed in an academic gown and his body is surrounded by bones. The suspect list is narrowed down to seven men, the only ones with keys to the area surrounding the study and Inspector Appleby is called in to investigate.

The book is set totally within St. Anthony’s College, with a map of the college and it’s grounds supplied at the beginning of the book. With seven suspects I thought I would be able to figure out who the murderer was but I was totally in the dark. The plot was very clever but I wasn’t such a fan of the intricate discussions that occurred among the academics, a little too high-brow for me. The mystery was slowly put together by Appleby who comes across as an intelligent gentlemanly detective who relies upon his brain to work out the clues.

Death at the President’s Lodging is both a creative and complex mystery that takes full advantage of it’s academic atmosphere. I have previously read a couple of Michael Innes stand-alone mysteries and I have a couple of the Appleby series on my Kindle so I will definitely be reading more from this golden-age author.… (more)