Hardcastle's Mandarin (Hardcastle and Marriott Historical Mysteries) - Hardcover

Ison, Graham

4.08

25 ratings by Goodreads

9780727867339: Hardcastle's Mandarin (Hardcastle and Marriott Historical Mysteries)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0727867334 ISBN 13: 9780727867339

Publisher: Severn House, 2009

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

A DI Hardcastle Investigation - June 1917. Ernest Hardcastle, head of the Whitehall CID, is called to investigate the murder of Sir Nigel Strang, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Munitions, in his office. Given his work, Hardcastle wonders whether the Germans might be responsible. Then another murder leads Hardcastle to a worker at Woolwich Arsenal, who is suspected of passing information to the enemy. But is there a connection? Hardcastle must find out . . .

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:

During Graham Ison's thirty year career in Scotland Yard's Special Branch he was involved in several espionage cases and the investigation into the escape of the spy George Blake. He spent four years at 10 Downing Street as Protection Officer to two Prime Ministers and also served as second-in-command of the Diplomatic Protection Group.

Review:

The charmingly irascible DDI Ernest Hardcastle and his long-suffering sidekick, DS Charles Marriott, are back in another atmospheric historical mystery. Set in London in 1917, the story begins when Hardcastle and Marriott are called to the scene of a brutal murder at Whitehall. The victim is Sir Nigel Strang, undersecretary at the Ministry of Munitions. There are no solid leads, so Hardcastle and Marriott start the painstaking task of interviewing anyone who might have seen anything suspicious. A few days later, a man is stabbed to death on a London bus, and shortly after that, the cleaning woman who discovered Strang's body is found dead. Three victims, three very different murders--can they be related? Hardcastle and Marriott soon discover evidence that indicates the three murders may be linked to German spies and the selling of secrets to the enemy. Good historical ambience, a gripping plot, deft touches of ironic humor, and a satisfying conclusion make this yet another solid addition to Ison's series. --Booklist, 1st July 2009

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.