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In 1879, race walking competitions, known as "wobbles," were all the rage. The death of a contender, followed by a second murder, introduces Sergeant Cribb, who goes on to investigate sports-related deaths in a series of eight books.Tags
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This is the first in a series featuring Sergeant Cribb of London's newly formed Detective Squad. It's 1879 and Cribb is investigating the death of a racer in a six-day "pedestrian contest" (basically, a walking race on an indoor track). The victim did not die of overexertion, as one might expect in this sort of event; it's murder.
This book has an excellent title. It's funny on its own and makes sense in context: the multi-day pedestrian races of the period were called "wobbles" (I imagine because the competitors would be wobbling on their feet by the end of it). I also liked that Cribb and his detecting partner, Thackeray, were introduced as if they already existed before we met them; no First in Series Syndrome here. Cribb himself is a show more dry-witted fellow (he made me laugh out loud right at the end of the book) and Thackeray makes a nice foil to him. The writing style makes it feel somewhat like an "older" mystery but not to the point of distraction, and the atmosphere of Victorian London is very well rendered. I would definitely read more in the series. show less
This book has an excellent title. It's funny on its own and makes sense in context: the multi-day pedestrian races of the period were called "wobbles" (I imagine because the competitors would be wobbling on their feet by the end of it). I also liked that Cribb and his detecting partner, Thackeray, were introduced as if they already existed before we met them; no First in Series Syndrome here. Cribb himself is a show more dry-witted fellow (he made me laugh out loud right at the end of the book) and Thackeray makes a nice foil to him. The writing style makes it feel somewhat like an "older" mystery but not to the point of distraction, and the atmosphere of Victorian London is very well rendered. I would definitely read more in the series. show less
Lovesey has resurrected a popular sport of the Victorian era and created an entertaining mystery novel. Six day "Go As You Please" contests - or "Wobbles" were instituted by Sir John Astley in 1878 and became very popular on both sides of the Atlantic. The contestants may choose to walk or run with brief rests for six days on a track. Lovesey's race takes place in the vast Agricultural Hall in Islington in 1879 with a first prize of £500, lower amounts for second and third places. With so much money at stake, to say nothing of the bets placed with bookies, there are bound to be shenanigans. In this case one contestant died of a massive dose of strychnine, commonly administered in minute amounts by his trainer as a stimulant. Then the show more trainer died too. And that wasn’t the only strange method trainers used. Combining the mystery with a sport I've never heard of before was a lot of fun. Dashing around Victorian London in hansom cabs and thick fog was wonderful. show less
Peter Lovesey channels the great mystery writers of the late 19th century in this novel, which debuts the quirky but persistent Sergeant Wally Cribb.
The Victorians loved betting on all sorts of offbeat sports, including “wobbles,” a sort of indoor marathon in which contestants undertook 500-mile, weeklong walks. Cribb and his sidekick, the long-suffering Constable Thackeray, investigate the murder of contestant Charlie Darrell. Lovesey fills the novel with the sights and (too often) smells of 1879 London. He also fills it with Victorian lingo, which sent me to Google. Rather than be off-putting, I enjoyed discovering, for example, what were the bushy Piccadilly Weepers that the stylish Sergeant Cribb sported.
You can see the show more curious sideburns here:
Lovesey’s plot isn’t anything special, but the atmosphere he invokes adds an entire extra star. I was startled to discover that Lovesey first published this novel in 1970 rather than 1880 — that’s how assiduously Lovesey mimicked the Victorian style. This won’t be my last novel in the Sergeant Cribb series. show less
The Victorians loved betting on all sorts of offbeat sports, including “wobbles,” a sort of indoor marathon in which contestants undertook 500-mile, weeklong walks. Cribb and his sidekick, the long-suffering Constable Thackeray, investigate the murder of contestant Charlie Darrell. Lovesey fills the novel with the sights and (too often) smells of 1879 London. He also fills it with Victorian lingo, which sent me to Google. Rather than be off-putting, I enjoyed discovering, for example, what were the bushy Piccadilly Weepers that the stylish Sergeant Cribb sported.
You can see the show more curious sideburns here:
Lovesey’s plot isn’t anything special, but the atmosphere he invokes adds an entire extra star. I was startled to discover that Lovesey first published this novel in 1970 rather than 1880 — that’s how assiduously Lovesey mimicked the Victorian style. This won’t be my last novel in the Sergeant Cribb series. show less
{first of 8 in Sergeant Cribb series; crime, murder, November 1879}(1970/ 2020)
A 'wobble', also known by other names such as a 'mix' or a 'go as you please' was a distance race over 6 days, where the contestants could walk or run (as they pleased) and the winner was the man (yep; all male in Victorian England) who had covered the furthest distance when the final bell rang. As Lovesey tells us in his afterword, he had previously written a non-fiction book on the history of distance running and this was his first work of fiction, written for a contest; it started his long and distinguished career as a crime writer (though, to be honest, this is the first book of his I've read).
The story opens just past midnight on a frigid, dark, foggy show more Monday morning in November 1879 as the press and the competitors in a mix race - which will end on the Saturday - and their trainers head for the Agricultural Hall in Islington. This book describes the nitty-gritty of the race - the various contestants and their trainers, how they approach the race, how basic the conditions are, how little sleep the men get so they shamble around the track - and is actually quite engaging.
This book was well researched and atmospheric, being set in foggy Victorian London when it was dark and cold. I thought it was interesting and a pleasant way to pass the time but not edge-of-your-seat stuff. The paragraph breaks in this e-book were inconsistent, occasionally either combining two people talking into one paragraph or splitting one person’s speech across two paragraphs which made it difficult to follow conversations sometimes and it interrupted the rhythm of the narrative.
This was a book bullet from the 2025 ROOTs Group by way of Waxwork, the last book of the series. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to borrow an e-version of a book written in 1970 from the library; I was more surprised that I couldn’t renew it because there were two people waiting for it, so I had to pick up my pace to make it to the finish line before the bell.
(October 2025)
3.5 stars show less
A 'wobble', also known by other names such as a 'mix' or a 'go as you please' was a distance race over 6 days, where the contestants could walk or run (as they pleased) and the winner was the man (yep; all male in Victorian England) who had covered the furthest distance when the final bell rang. As Lovesey tells us in his afterword, he had previously written a non-fiction book on the history of distance running and this was his first work of fiction, written for a contest; it started his long and distinguished career as a crime writer (though, to be honest, this is the first book of his I've read).
The story opens just past midnight on a frigid, dark, foggy show more Monday morning in November 1879 as the press and the competitors in a mix race - which will end on the Saturday - and their trainers head for the Agricultural Hall in Islington. This book describes the nitty-gritty of the race - the various contestants and their trainers, how they approach the race, how basic the conditions are, how little sleep the men get so they shamble around the track - and is actually quite engaging.
The line of competitors was as animated as mourners beside a grave.The race is staged, based on a (real life) similar competition held the previous year by Sir John Astley; it invites competitors from all social classes and two professional walkers (to draw in audiences) with the first prize being £500 (worth nearly £80,000 in 2025) and even the eighth and ninth men in scoring £5 each. It is only at seven chapters in, out of the eighteen, that a contestant dies, it is discovered to be murder and the police are called in.
“Very well, then. Bloody good luck to you all. Are you ready? Then go! . . . You poor bastards.”
The final aside was for the amusement of the Press. The starters had already lurched into frantic movement, recklessly crashing elbows, fists and boots as they strove for a passage on the narrow track. They moved quickly—quicker than many of them had planned— but gooseflesh dictated tactics. The gas was now at its highest, but dimly lit the vast hall, and made no impression on the near-zero temperature.
“These gentlemen asked to meet you. They are from the police. Sergeant—er—”There is a limited field of suspects (only those with access to the tracks or the competitors' huts) - the competitors, their trainers (they are allowed one each), Herriot the race organiser and Jacobson his manager; limited time to solve the crime - they have the remainder of the race until the suspects scatter to the four corners of the country; and there are various possible motives including competitiveness, professional jealousy and heavy betting outcomes. So the race goes on.
“Cribb—and Police Constable Thackeray"
Herriott took the opportunity of a lull in the interrogation to raise a point that was troubling him deeply. “Sergeant, this investigation. Does it mean that you will want me to cancel the race?”This is the introduction of Sergeant Cribbs and Constable Thackeray in the first book of what became a series, which was later made into a television series. I recognise the character from the covers of some of the books though I don't remember if I ever actually watched the show. I liked the teamwork; Thackeray (who is talented but hasn't been promoted for other reasons) contributes to the deductive thinking and isn’t just a sidekick (like Holmes's Dr Watson) although he’s the one who has to do most of the legwork while Cribb gets to nap - even at the crime scene.
“Cancel? Whatever for? Keep it going, Mr. Herriott. Keep it going as long as you can. Perfect for investigating a poisoning. Everyone’s here, you see. Might ask you to extend it into next week if I’m held up.”
Neither Jacobson nor Herriott was equal at this hour to the sergeant’s style of humour, so he turned to other matters.
This book was well researched and atmospheric, being set in foggy Victorian London when it was dark and cold. I thought it was interesting and a pleasant way to pass the time but not edge-of-your-seat stuff. The paragraph breaks in this e-book were inconsistent, occasionally either combining two people talking into one paragraph or splitting one person’s speech across two paragraphs which made it difficult to follow conversations sometimes and it interrupted the rhythm of the narrative.
This was a book bullet from the 2025 ROOTs Group by way of Waxwork, the last book of the series. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to borrow an e-version of a book written in 1970 from the library; I was more surprised that I couldn’t renew it because there were two people waiting for it, so I had to pick up my pace to make it to the finish line before the bell.
(October 2025)
3.5 stars show less
Wobble to Death by Peter Lovesey is a historical mystery set in Victorian England over the course of a week long pedestrian race. These races were called Wobbles and became very popular during the 1880’s. When one of the favourites to win the race dies under mysterious circumstances, the police are called and Detective Sgt. Crib and his assistant Constable Thackeray arrive to conduct their investigation. As they go about gathering clues and interviewing the suspects, another murder takes place.
There is a great deal of period atmosphere revolving around Victorian spectator sporting events as the investigation is conducted while the remaining racers continue their long slog. The murderer was well concealed among the various suspects show more and Wobble to Death was an interesting and inventive mystery that I enjoyed. I understand that this book is the first of eight Sgt. Crib mysteries all of which I see are available for the Kindle so I will most probably we reading more about this particular detective in the future. show less
There is a great deal of period atmosphere revolving around Victorian spectator sporting events as the investigation is conducted while the remaining racers continue their long slog. The murderer was well concealed among the various suspects show more and Wobble to Death was an interesting and inventive mystery that I enjoyed. I understand that this book is the first of eight Sgt. Crib mysteries all of which I see are available for the Kindle so I will most probably we reading more about this particular detective in the future. show less
Maybe I am being generous with my rating, as the detection by Sgt. Cribb didn't impress me, but I thought that the historical fiction aspect was excellent. The setting of the murders was unusual and I learned a new aspect of the late nineteenth century (the professional pedestrian racer whose races last days and who typically go 90-100 miles in a day!).
Maybe I am being generous with my rating, as the detection by Sgt. Cribb didn't impress me, but I thought that the historical fiction aspect was excellent. The setting of the murders was unusual and I learned a new aspect of the late nineteenth century (the professional pedestrian racer whose races last days and who typically go 90-100 miles in a day!).
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Author Information
113+ Works 10,913 Members
Peter Lovesey was born in Whitton, Middlesex in 1936. He was a teacher before becoming a full-time writer. Lovesey's first mystery novel was Wobble to Death which introduced Victorian detective Sergeant Cribb. He later introduced Peter Diamond and Bertie in his novels to follow. He also writes under the pseudonym Peter Lear. His works have been show more translated into 22 languages and several of them were adapted for television and film. Lovesey's works have earned him numerous awards. He is a three time winner of the CWA Silver Dagger. He also won the CWA Gold Dagger in 1982 and the 2000 CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger Award in recognition of his career in mystery writing. He is the recipient of the Anthony Award, McAvity Award, Ellery Queen Readers' Award and the Mystery Writers of America Golden Mysteries Short Story Prize. Internationally, he has won the Grand Prix de littérature Policiére and the Prix du Roman d'Adventures. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Awards and Honors
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
SaPo (129)
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title*
- Hoippuen kohti kuolemaa
- Original title
- Wobble to Death
- Original publication date
- 1970
- People/Characters
- Cribb (Police Sergeant); Thackeray (Police Constable); Erskine Chadwick; Charles Darrell; Cora Darrell; Sam Monk (show all 11); Feargus O'Faherty; William "Billy" Reid; Francis Mostyn-Smith; Sol Herriott; Walter Jacobson
- Important places
- Agricultural Hall, Islington, London, England, UK; Islington, London, England, UK
- Related movies
- Cribb: Wobble to Death (1980 | IMDb)
- First words
- The 12.05 a.m. trundled out of Highbury and Islington station and along the line.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Goodnight to you.
- Original language
- English UK
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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