Farewell Crown and Goodbye King

by Margot Bennett

Genres: Mystery

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1952

About the author

Scottish author Margot Bennett was born in 1912 and worked first first as a copywriter in the UK and Australia and then as a nurse during the Spanish Civil War before turning to writing. Her output in crime fiction was relatively small, yet successful: The Man Who Didn't Fly was shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger and was runner-up to Charlotte Armstrong's A Dram of Poison for Best Novel at the Edgars in 1956, and she won the Gold Dagger two years later in 1958 with Someone from the Past. She was also chosen to contribute a short story to the second CWA anthology, Choice Of Weapons, edited by Michael Gilbert.

Reviews

[Mark Lisac · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sparkling example of how good writing can be when an author is both talented and committed to working hard. Farewell Crown is probably best described as a somewhat comic mystery. The mystery is pretty good, although most readers will probably solve the case before the characters do. The writing is the real attraction. Every page is full of dry amusement ranging from the gently ironic to the cynically wry, occasionally topped with sharp observations on characters' personalities and on social conventions. A delightful read and a pleasant reminder that many largely forgotten works are much better than the voluminous current output of far less accomplished novels.
Bennett's writing makes her sound like someone who would have been a very enjoyable dinner companion, except that one would have been abashed about the prospect of leaving her bored: it would have been difficult to keep up with her.
First published in 1952. Has hints of its time but still stands up very well. I read an old 1962 Collier paperback version picked up second-hand many years ago. Some limited availability on Amazon.com in the U.S. if you can't find it in a library.

[Chazzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roger Maple has gone missing! Maple, claims to be a freelance “financier” but is more of a borrower than a lender. His friend Duncan Stewart is out to find him. One problem is Stewart is a film producer and not a detective.

It seems Maple had tapped a number of people for money as an “investment” just before he left. One of his props is his acquaintance with the King of Ardania, actually the ex-king.

Seems this king has some big plans for his homeland, but just needs a little financial help. This king avoids any and all public appearances. He plays the part of a recluse. A strange behaviour for someone of such a high profile.

Duncan Stewart’s search to find Maple, dead or alive, takes a pathway involving murder, intrigue, subterfuges and a bit of romance. There are also some interesting works of art in high demand, but they are not for sale.

More of a novel than a traditional mystery. An interesting read!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.com/2025/...