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.
Francis Pettigrew Series
Follow the fortunes of Francis Pettigrew, a barrister whose career is less than stellar but whose sharp intellect often leads him to uncover the truth. This series delves into the world of British courtrooms and intricate detective plots. It's a compelling narrative of justice, wit, and human nature.
Recommended Reading Order
With a Bare Bodkin
- 204 pages
- 8 hours of reading
The Blitz has forced the evacuation of various government offices from London and Pettigrew accompanies his ministry to the distant seaside resort of Marsett Bay. In this strange atmosphere, Pettigrew begins to fall in love with his secretary, who is also being courted by a widowed man much older than her.
When the Wind Blows
- 256 pages
- 9 hours of reading
Famous solo violinist Lucy Carless is making a guest appearance with the provincial Markshire Orchestra, only to be found strangled with a silk stocking part-way through the concert.
That Yew Tree's Shade
- 204 pages
- 8 hours of reading
Gordon Clark was a county judge at the time of the novel's compositionWhen Francis Pettigrew, former barrister and sometime amateur detective, is plucked out of peaceful retirement in the Home Counties to deputise for the County Court judge, the proceedings offer him some unexpected insights into the lives of his new neighbours.
Untimely Death
- 192 pages
- 7 hours of reading
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.
Related books
Best Detective Stories of Cyril Hare
- 272 pages
- 10 hours of reading
These thirty stories, selected and introduced by fellow crime writer and lawyer Michael Gilbert, are a terrific introduction to Cyril Hare's inventive and clever Golden Age detective fiction, which often turns on an ingenious use of the law.