The author established himself as a celebrated writer of detective fiction, known for his keen observation of life and human nature. His works are lauded for their clever plotting, insightful commentary on social nuances, and elegant prose. He crafted memorable characters that breathe life into suspenseful narratives filled with twists. His background in law lends authenticity and depth to his stories, solidifying his status as a master of the genre.
Death is No Sportsman (1938) was the second crime novel by 'Cyril Hare', nom de plume of Alfred Gordon Clark and one of the best-loved names in English 'Golden Age' crime writing. The banks of the river Didder in the summertime appear idyllic: the sun is shining, the trout rising.
Who murdered solo violinist Lucy Carless during a concert by the Markshire Orchestra? There are several suspects, any one of whom might have strangled her with a silk stocking. Was it her first husband? Or her second? Womanizer Bill Ventry? Or perhaps the clarinetist and fellow Polish émigré, Zbartorowski, with whom she’d had a violent argument? Lawyer Francis Pettigrew, as reluctant honorary treasurer to the Markshire Orchestral Society, finds himself caught up with assisting the police in their investigations.
When an anonymous letter arrives for Mr Justice Barber, the High Court judge, warning of imminent revenge, he dismisses it as the work of a harmless lunatic. But then a second letter appears, followed by a poisoned box of the judge's favourite chocolates, and he begins to fear for his life.
Warbeck Hall is an old-fashioned English country house and the scene of equally English murders. All the classic ingredients are there: Christmas decorations, tea and cake, a faithful butler, a foreigner, snow falling and an interesting cast of characters thrown together. The murders and detective work are far from conventional though ...
Kriminalroman.
England is in the grip of the Second World War and the Blitz has forced the evacuation of various government offices from London. Francis Pettigrew, an unsuccessful barrister and amateur detective, accompanies his ministry to the distant seaside resort of Marsett Bay where the civil servants must make the best of their temporary home. In this strange atmosphere, Pettigrew notices that his secretary, Miss Brown, is being courted by a widowed man who is much older than her. Bored and restless, the bureaucrats start playing a light-hearted game of 'plan the perfect murder' to pass the time. Pettigrew remains detached from the silliness - until a real murder happens, and he is drawn into solving the mystery.
Francis Pettigrew travels to Exmoor for a holiday with his wife - an area in which as a young boy he was traumatised by coming across a dead body on the moor. In an attempt to exorcise this trauma, Pettigrew walks across the moor to the place where the incident occurred - only to find another dead body. Moreover when he returns to the scene with the police, the body is gone. Did he really see a body - or is it a hallucination conjured up by his return to the scene of the crime that has haunted him since childhood? In "Untimely Death", Cyril Hare conjures up an intriguing puzzle whose twists and turns will keep the reader turning the pages until the final surprising resolution.
Inspector Malletts erster Fall. Ein Klassiker aus dem goldenen Zeitalter der Detektivliteratur
In einem ruhigen Wohnviertel Londons wird die Idylle durch den Mord an dem berüchtigten Börsenspekulanten Lionel Ballantine erschüttert. Zwei junge Makler entdecken die Leiche in einem Mietshaus, was Fragen aufwirft: Was führte Ballantine dorthin und wer ist der geheimnisvolle Mieter? Inspector Mallett, ein genialer Ermittler, wird mit diesem komplexen Fall betraut, der nicht nur die Bewohner von Daylesford Gardens betrifft, sondern auch tiefere Abgründe der Londoner Gesellschaft aufdeckt.
Vier wohlhabende englische Gentlemen hatten sich vor vielen Jahren an einem Flüsschen ein besonders interessantes Angelrevier gepachtet. Sie teilten es in vier Teile auf, an denen sie dann abwechselnd fischten. Inzwischen hängen bereits ihre Nachkömmlinge die Angeln ins Wasser – so auch Sir Peter Packer, der zwar verheiratet ist, sich aber immer noch für einen unwiderstehlichen Casanova hält. Der zukünftige Vater – er hatte sich mit einem Mädchen aus der nahegelegenen Ortschaft eingelassen – wird von Dr. Latymer, dem Dorfarzt, ermordet aufgefunden. Offensichtlich wurde er mit seiner eigenen Waffe erschossen. Das ist alles, was die örtliche Polizei herausfindet. Aber auch Inspektor Mallett von Scotland Yard steht vor einem Rätsel…
Ein klassischer Kriminalroman
