Death In Albert Park

Carolus Deene #13

by Leo Bruce

In a gloomy London suburb, a modern Jack the Ripper stalks at night, killing at random with brutal knife thrusts from behind. Three women fall victim, and the terrorized residents wait to see who will be next.

Genres: Mystery, British Literature

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Pseudonym for Rupert Croft-Cooke.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

"In a gloomy London suburb a modern Jack the Ripper stalks at night, killing at random with brutal knife thrusts from behind. Three women fall victims to the murderer and the terrorized residents of Albert Park wait to see who will be next. Was it a madman who killed all three women, or were the murders part of a brilliantly contrived master plan?

"Into this scene of confusion and fear comes Carolus Deene, the wealthy Gentleman Detective who teaches at a boys' public school; his avocation is solving crimes. Although the police resent his presence, the residents gradually open up to this intelligent, sensitive man as he probes the motives behind the killings and solves the heinous crimes."
~~back cover

Although ostensibly just a murder mystery, this book has a subscript: "never take anything being espoused by everyone as the truth." Leo Bruce is a master at setting the scene, drawing the characters, and throwing in details that have no bearing on the mystery. Slight of hand is definitely the modus operandi of this book: reader beware!

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty flat and dull. I like house in the cover drawing but the neighborhood is supposed to be ugly. Hmm.

[Chazzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three women have been murdered by being stabbed from behind. Albert Park is terrified. Are they random? Planned? All by the same person? There is no obvious connection between the three victims. Another Jack the Ripper?

Carolus Deene has learned of these murders and is interested in solving them. The police aren’t interested in this amateur detective meddling in the case. What can he find out that they can’t?

Deene looks to find the motive behind the murders by being interested and sensitive to the people in the area. He listens and hears what people say. And when not being badgered by questions, the people can reveal much more.

Deene is nobody’s fool. As he picks up threads and follows them he does find a connection…..one not expected.

[Jeff Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally like Carolus Deene has a detective. However I do question when investigating a Jack the Ripper style murder called The Stabber he appear to be a more of an unwanted hinderence than a detective. I don't think the Golden Age detective could have suvived the real rules of detection. Perhaps I'm being too harsh having decided drop many of his contempories from my reading list.

[Calum Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

B

[S Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok

These are quite acceptable little whimseys. No strain on the brain here. They are however, way way too expensive for what they are, I shall only read one more of these until the publishers come to their senses.

[Janet]

Carolus Deene is a wonderful character. I loved all these books, but in most cases the murder victim was such an odious individual that I found myself rooting for the murderer to get away with it.

[Sandra Knapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light, easy read. A mystery that will never cause nightmares, for sure. I more or less enjoyed it, but wouldn't run out to get another by the same author.

[Rosana Adler · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 estrellas. De 0 a 10: 5.

Entretenida.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: a modern Jack the Ripper stalks suburban London at night; Carolus gets involved.