Mystery In The Channel - Hardcover

Crofts, Freeman Wills

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1785413031 ISBN 13: 9781785413032

Publisher: Isis Large Print, 2017

Synopsis

1931: The CHICHESTER is making a routine journey across the English Channel on a pleasant afternoon in June, when the steamer's crew spot a small yacht bobbing aimlessly in the water. Upon boarding the vessel, they discover two male corpses. Both must have been shot, but there is no sign of either the murderer or the pistol. Inspector French is put on the case, and soon establishes the identity of the dead men: Moxon and Deeping, the top dogs at one of the largest financial houses in the UK. What's more, the firm is on the brink of collapse. One and a half million pounds has gone missing, along with Moxon and Deeping, who seem to have been fleeing the country with their ill-gotten gains. So who killed them, and how?

About this title

About the Author

FREEMAN WILLS CROFTS (1879–1957) was one of the pre-eminent writers in the golden age of British crime fiction. He was the author of more than thirty detective novels, and was greatly acclaimed by peers such as Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler.

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: Isis Large Print
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1785413031
• ISBN 13: 9781785413032
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 324