Mystery in the Channel - Softcover

Crofts, Freeman Wills

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1842324055 ISBN 13: 9781842324059

Publisher: London: House of Stratus, 2001

Synopsis

The cross-channel steamer Chichester stops half way to France. A motionless yacht lies in her path. When a party clambers aboard they find a trail of blood and two dead men. Chief Constable Turnbill has to call on Inspector French for help in solving the mystery of the Nymph.

About this title

About the Author:

Freeman Wills Crofts was born in Dublin in 1879 and died in 1957. He worked for a Northern Irish railway company as an engineer until 1929, before turning to detective fiction His plots reveal his mathematical training and he specialised in the seemingly unbreakable alibi, laying layer upon layer within his stories. He loved ships and trains and the intricacies of transport timetables feature in many of his stories. Crofts’ best-known character is Inspector Joseph French. French appears for the first time in Inspector French’s Greatest Case. He is a detective who achieves his results through dogged persistence.

Review:

Wills Crofts is one of the masters of the golden age of British detective fiction. Not only is this a first-rate puzzler, but Crofts' outrage over the financial firm's betrayal of the public trust should resonate with today's readers. (Connie Fletcher Booklist)

Good story, very likeable characters,and a unexpected twist at the end. The pace is perhaps somewhat slower but it doesn't interfere with the pleasure of reading. Just perfect for a rainy weekend. (Karina Dumiati NetGalley)

I thoroughly enjoyed Mystery In The Channel, my first but not last taste of Mr Crofts' work, as it is a good old fashioned puzzle which had me baffled so I have no hesitation in recommending it as a very good read. (Elaine Tomasso Goodreads)

A standout in the British Crime Classics series. Nary a woman to be seen onstage, though if you're interested in ships and sailing this book will suit your fancy. A greatly enjoyable police procedural from 1931. (Lauren LaTulip Goodreads)

It was an interesting case and I liked the main character, so it was an enjoyable read. (Deborah White Goodreads)

I really enjoyed this deviously difficult detective story. It was full of twists and turns, action and danger, and a hell of a lot of mystery. Admittedly, I had my suspicions as to the murderer, but even still I was kept guessing until near the end. It was more full of red herrings than a fisherman's net! (Matthew Barnes Carpe Libris)

First published in 1931 Mystery in the Channel by Freeman Wills Crofts is a classic crime fiction novel written during the Golden Age of detective fiction between the two world wars.~~~ I thought the comments on the effect of the company's crash on ordinary people is still as relevant today as it was in the 1930s and the Assistant Police Commissioner's views on crime and punishment showing a surprising sympathy with the criminal are interesting. He deplored the punishment of the out-of-work or poorly paid thief who had stolen to provide for his family’s’ needs. And he had 'the most profound enmity and contempt' for the wealthy thief who stole through the manipulation of stocks and shares or by other financial methods, whether those means were within or without the limits of the law. (Margaret Freeman Books Please)

This particular novel is a fine example of meticulous police work before the advent of computers, DNA analysis, and instant communications. The novel, published in 1931, is in period, but definitely not dated. (Elaine Cichantk LibraryThing)

About this edition

• Publisher: London: House of Stratus
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1842324055
• ISBN 13: 9781842324059
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 271