The Case of the Abominable Snowman

This is a 1941 murder mystery; this will prove to be important when the reader comes to the final paragraph of the book.

While set at Christmastime in England, we don’t see much in the way of decorated trees, carolers, stockings or vicars. Rather this is more the week or so following Christmas. There’s snow on the ground with children and adults building a snowman, but the house party is due soon to break up and return to normal. But something untoward breaks up the party unexpectedly. A young woman is dead; her brother, her suitor, and her physician naturally fall under scrutiny. Nigel Strangeways and Inspector Blount are on the case, both being rather fun to watch in action.

Blake opens his narrative with a jump in time; the reader show more must pay attention. The construction is snugly arranged. Suspicion builds. Questions are put forward and ultimately answered. This one is a pleasant bedtime read while still offering a decent puzzle.

Note that there appear to be at least two different titles for this book, clearly for purposes of marketing to different populations. One is The Case of the Abominable Snowman. The other is The Corpse in the Snowman. show less

I love Blake’s books about Strangeways, but this one isn’t my favorite. Too many characters and an extremely convoluted plot made for a slightly confusing read. The character development is a strong point, though, and it’s nearly impossible for Blake to write a truly bad book.
Much amusingly wrong information about marijuana is included, quite seriously.

What could be more harmless and childish than a snowman? But the menace present from the beginning of the book makes it clear that this is not your ordinary snowman. There is indeed a body inside. Whose body is not revealed until the end of the book, but there's plenty of trouble before then.

Nigel Strangeways is called in by an acquaintance of his wife's. She is disturbed by the behavior of a cat. Strangeways goes along to humor the old lady, but he soon agrees with her that something is seriously wrong at Easterham Manor. And the very next day after he arrives, the body of a young woman is found hanging in her bedroom.

This has all the makings of a Golden Age Stately Home murder - the kind like Poirot or Inspector Alleyn would show more investigate. But the feeling soon changes to one of the more modern mysteries, with the introduction of sex, drugs, and well, not rock and roll, but definitely Not Quite. It's sort of a bridge between one type of mystery and another. Modern readers might find the beginning and the style a little old fashioned, but I did enjoy it. It is set, in fact, right on the beginning of World War II, so it's not really modern. In fact, I was prepared for revelations of a different sort and thought I knew exactly where the story was going, but I found myself surprised at the end. A great read and a good story. show less

A classic of Golden Age detection, with all the flaws of the period. I love these stories and this one is a particular favorite, but you must be prepared to recall the attitudes of the times, some of which seem very silly now. If you like a puzzle and good writing, Blake is your man.

3.5*