Tenant for Death

The plot is somewhat mellow; I mean, its 2026 and nowadays this would really be considered a “cozy murder mystery.” It is a story of a big time London financier’s collapse so it is not an unfamiliar situation for today’s reader. There are plausible red herrings and multiple suspects so readers have to attend while they read, although, after awhile, the solution becomes fairly obvious – at least in its method, if not the culprit.

Overall necessary for vintage detective novel enthusiasts. I enjoyed its easy-pace that kept my interest without high-tension and emotional melodrama. I got along quite well with the Inspector and we solved the crime with a bit of deep thinking. In fact, this is one of the few mysteries I would say that show more there is a chance of my re-reading. show less

I was unfamiliar with author Cyril Hare, an English judge whose real name was Alfred Clark. He began writing mystery novels in the 1930s, and wrote six of them, most of which feature Inspector John Mallett.

Hare’s writing has the archaic tone and diction of a Mary Roberts Rinehart or Anna Katherine Green novel, and I was a bit surprised to find that the setting was the 1930s rather than at the turn of the 20th century. But I enjoyed the novel well enough, thanks to the likable Mallett. The inspector isn’t an aristocrat, like Dorothy L. Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey or Ngaio Marsh’s Roderick Alleyn; nor is he eccentric to the point of silliness, like Nicholas Blake’s Nigel Strangeways or Margery Allingham’s Albert Campion. No, show more he’s merely a plodding police official who explores every lead and easily gets peckish. Mallett may never reach the heights of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot, John Bude’s Inspector William Meredith, Patricia Wentworth’s Miss Maud Silver or Gladys Mitchell’s Mrs. Bradley; however, I enjoyed Hare’s creation very well, indeed. I’ll be reading more, no doubt. show less

Slightly above average police procedural. There’s a complicated pot involving a financier and schemes gone wrong. While I did see the twist, it didn’t help me identify the killer. That part was really well done. I’m looking forward to more of Hare’s work, since this was his first novel.

A police procedural, featuring Inspector Mallett, concerning the murder of a ruined financier. I liked Mallett and enjoyed the story, although it became a little tiresome by the end. I am not sure why the chapter with Fanshawe and his daughter was included. The tone was light with touches of humour.

Sadly the interesting and important protagonists were all male; the female characters consisted of secretaries, the dead man's mistress and a gullible girlfriend.

I enjoy the telling of the story as much as the mystery when I read mysteries. This certainly ticks all the boxes.
"As a matter of fact, Inspector," he said, "I was wondering why an obviously well-dressed man like that should have chosen to wear a green bow tie with a grey suit."
The inspector grunted, but said nothing.
"Particularly," pursued Harper, "when it isn't even decently tied. I shouldn't like to be seen dead in it myself."

January 2018 reread:

I found that, although it has been a long time since I read this (10 years or more), I recalled it in great detail. Even so, it was a pleasure to follow Inspector Mallett's progress as he unravels the mystery.

A somewhat dubious financier is murdered at a moment of crisis for his business. Inspector Mallett investigates. A steady London mystery without the English countryside atmosphere of Hare's "Markshire" stories.