Appleby's Other Story

this is very much typical of late period innes - a master of his craft, not so much caring about writing a masterpiece but enjoying stretching his writing muscles and setting a fiendish puzzle. "appleby's other story" is no classic like "appleby's end", although it is delightfully witty and as light as a souffle. but it is... well... how do i put this? okay... the solution is perhaps the most stunningly cheeky bit of crime writing i have ever read. seriously, only a truly brilliant writer, fully aware of their own skills could bring off a bit of... well, sheer gall like the end of this book. it's astonishing. once i'd realised what innes had done i basically sat and shook with laughter and admiration that anyone could get away with it. show more i can't tell you anymore, but when you've finished it hopefully you'll see what i mean. cheeky sod! show less

Taken by Col. Pride to be introduced to a neighbour, Appleby finds his would-be host has been murdered.

Classic country-house murder mystery right up to the final drawing-room scene with the assembled suspects when the murderer is revealed. The humour here arises from Appleby's (and the author's) use of language rather than from the characters. Enjoyable but not as laugh-out-loud funny as the previous two books I read.

An Appleby of the murder-in-a-large-country-house variety. Initially, I had some trouble really getting into it; Innes's elegant prose required more concentration than usual.

Appleby may have retired from the yard but mysteries are still coming his way. this one has murder, art theft, and plenty of suspects. Also a number of literary references which add to the enjoyment of the mystery. I hadn't read one of this series in a long time and had forgotten that I rather liked them.

A good country house murder mystery with retired Appleby still on the top of his form.

Good story, but truly a hideous book cover.

3.5*

A good country house murder mystery with retired Appleby still on the top of his form.