If I remember correctly, most of the mysteries in this series do not start out as normal police investigations. Often they originate during or from some event in the Tibbett's lives. They may be on vacation and a murder occurs, that type of thing. That is not always true, however, as in Murder a la Mode (covered here and here by Moira at Clothes in Books).
This book is one of my favorite of the series because of the the focus on Britain during World War II and how the war affected peoples lives. The book was published in 1965 and looks back at a time twenty years earlier.
The review of Johnny Under Ground at In Reference to Murder gives some of Patricia Moyes' background, including her work during the war as a flight officer in the WAAF. Obviously Moyes used her experiences in writing this book. At Rue Morgue Press, there is an article with even more information about her life, written by Katherine Hall Page.
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Publisher: Henry Holt and Co., 1987. Orig. pub. 1965.
Length: 253 pages
Format: Paperback
Series: Inspector Henry Tibbett, #6
Setting: UK
Genre: Mystery
Source: I purchased my copy.
20 comments:
One of my absolute favorites.
I'm reminded of a Delano Ames book that I read recently Corpse Diplomatique which featured an amateur sleuthing married couple....Jane and Dagobert, I think. I wasn't overwhelmed by that so will pass on this one. Obviously similar, but different, but it's not calling out to me.
What a great choice, Tracy! The Tibbetts are a terrific couple, and I do like Emmy as a character. And you're right; WWII England is a great context for a mystery.
Me too, Patti. I picked this book to reread first because I could remember how much I liked it years ago.
I cannot remember if I have read Corpse Diplomatique but I have read others in that series (a long time ago of course). I plan to reread the first in the series and Moira sent me a copy of the 2nd one, so I hope to get to those soon. My reading is over-planned for the rest of the year.
You might like this one because it is set partially around the war and because it has some sort of sleazy characters, but in general I don't think the Tibbett series is for you.
I like the Tibbett's too, Margot, and the way that Patricia Moyes tells a story.
I haven't read anything by this author but this seems right up my street, thanks.
I really do think this series and especially this book would be your type of book, Katrina. I hope you try it out.
Thanks for the shoutout Tracy. I read this one ages ago and don't remember much about it, but it is on my shelf so I may have to re-read it now...
I had fond memories of this one, Moira. So I picked it first for a reread. But I am eager to try some other earlier ones and some of the books where they are vacationing. And they are a fast read.
I don't think there's much comparison between the series, Col, the Moyes books are superior.
Richard, thanks for the input - I may have another look, if that's the case. I'm not too fussed about revisiting Ames in all honesty, but the TBR pile is a bit out of control and I ought to swear off acquiring more books from new authors (or even old ones)!
One of my favorite authors. I've read them all - yes, this is a particularly good one - and liked them all. Great FFB choice, Tracy.
Now this is one I missed, Tracy. I recently read a bunch of Moyes books for the first time - had never read anything by her before. (Well, reading something for the first time would indicate that, Yvette.) At any rate, I enjoyed the books I read and though Mrs. Tibbett got on my nerves occasionally, on the whole I would read any other Moyes book I came across. I'm definitely going to look for this one. I do like that cover too. Maybe I'll get lucky.
Glad to hear that, Richard. My dilemma now is fitting some of these in with all the other books I have planned to read. Now that I am reminded how much I liked them.
The cover is very nice, Yvette. I think I had that in a different version and when I saw this edition at a book sale, I had to have it.
A new writer and this one sounds great. Thank you for the introduction.
This author is sort of like a bridge between Golden Age types of mysteries, moving toward more modern mysteries. I guess they sort of fit in the cozy mold, but I have always found them to be great stories.
Tracy, new for me too but it's the kind of series and setting I know I'd enjoy reading, especially in paper form.
You probably would enjoy books in this series, Prashant, and I don't think reading them in any order matters too much. I am sure I was not able to get them in order when I read them (originally). Maybe they will show up at a book sale.
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