With a Bare Bodkin: Cyril Hare

Synopsis:

A Francis Pettigrew mystery, originally published in 1946.

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 begins to fall in love with his secretary, Miss Brown, who is also being courted by a widowed man who is much older than her. Bored and restless, the ministers start playing a light-hearted game of ‘plan the perfect murder’ to pass the time. Pettigrew, caught up in his love for Miss Brown, remains detached from the silliness - until a real murder happens, and he is drawn into solving the mystery.

‘One of the best detective stories published for a long time.’ Spectator

Tags:

Categorised as:
Fiction
Sub-categories:
Crime & Thrillers
People & Characters:
Francis Pettigrew
Genres & Themes:
Conspiracy; Faber Finds; Murder Mystery; Whodunnit; WWII
With a Bare Bodkin book cover

Selected edition:
Paperback
ISBN:
9780571247455
Published:
27.11.2008
No of pages:
204
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