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Calder and Behrens #1
Game Without Rules
Miss Marple meets John le Carre in these linked short stories of espionage and mystery, with two middle-aged British Intelligence agents (and a dog!) as sleuths.
Game Without Rules features Samuel Behrens and Daniel Calder, two secret British Intelligence operative who work in the “E” (External) Branch of the Join Services Standing Intelligence Committee. Under the direction of Mr. Fortescue—a mild-mannered bank manager and secret spy-master—Behrens and Calder will sleuth, entrap, and, if necessary, assassinate whomever dares to threaten the peace of Britain and its inhabitants.
Whether they are investigating the identity of a dead officer in a secret bunker, infiltrating a dangerous circle of fellow spies, or rescuing a double agent, Behrens and Calder will keep the realm safe with precision, efficiency, and British camaraderie.
Game Without Rules features Samuel Behrens and Daniel Calder, two secret British Intelligence operative who work in the “E” (External) Branch of the Join Services Standing Intelligence Committee. Under the direction of Mr. Fortescue—a mild-mannered bank manager and secret spy-master—Behrens and Calder will sleuth, entrap, and, if necessary, assassinate whomever dares to threaten the peace of Britain and its inhabitants.
Whether they are investigating the identity of a dead officer in a secret bunker, infiltrating a dangerous circle of fellow spies, or rescuing a double agent, Behrens and Calder will keep the realm safe with precision, efficiency, and British camaraderie.
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1967
30 people are currently reading
540 people want to read
About the author
Michael Gilbert
143 books87 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Born in Lincolnshire in 1912, Michael Francis Gilbert was educated in Sussex before entering the University of London where he gained an LLB with honours in 1937. Gilbert was a founding member of the British Crime Writers Association, and in 1988 he was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America - an achievement many thought long overdue. He won the Life Achievement Anthony Award at the 1990 Boucheron in London, and in 1980 he was knighted as a Commander in the Order of the British Empire. Gilbert made his debut in 1947 with Close Quarters, and since then has become recognized as one of our most versatile British mystery writers.
He was the father of Harriett Gilbert.
Born in Lincolnshire in 1912, Michael Francis Gilbert was educated in Sussex before entering the University of London where he gained an LLB with honours in 1937. Gilbert was a founding member of the British Crime Writers Association, and in 1988 he was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America - an achievement many thought long overdue. He won the Life Achievement Anthony Award at the 1990 Boucheron in London, and in 1980 he was knighted as a Commander in the Order of the British Empire. Gilbert made his debut in 1947 with Close Quarters, and since then has become recognized as one of our most versatile British mystery writers.
He was the father of Harriett Gilbert.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
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November 29, 2024Really very good collection of Cold War era spy stories covering a couple of dumpy old bachelors who are also ruthless counter espionage men. Getting very into this author (although: very male focused, somewhat weird minor obsession with young women). A lot of horrific violence depicted by allusion. also one story that's a genuine, devastating gut punch. Basically a highly professional author operating at the top of his game.
April 8, 2016
Michael Gilbert's short story collection Game Without Rules (1967) is the best collection of stories devoted to espionage and counter intelligence that I have ever read. I am pleased to know through Wikipedia that Anthony Boucher agreed with me. The collection features Samuel Behrens, retired schoolmaster and British Intelligence operative; Daniel Calder, interested in small arms, the cello and the history of the Peninsular War--oh, and Britishi Intelligence operative; and Rasselas, Calder's loyal Persian deer hound who makes his own contributions in the service of his country. Calder and Behrens work in the "E" (External) Branch of the Join Services Standing Intelligence Committee under Mr. Fortescue, a mild-mannered bank manager who also serves as the "controller and paymaster of a bunch of middle aged cutthroats" ("The Spoilers"). Though the two men are in their fifties, they have lost none of their edge and will most assuredly take out anyone who threatens the peace of Britain.
The most amazing thing about these stories by Gilbert is that even though they are short, they pack a heck of a wallop. Each story could have been expanded into a novel--the themes are so rich and story-worthy--but Gilbert's economy and deft descriptions make it possible to tell the essentials in an action-packed short without losing any of the important points. Straight, to the point storytelling with believable plots and characterization make for a prize-package of reading. So, economical are they, that it would be difficult to give a synopsis without giving away the essence of the story. Highly recommended.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thank.
The most amazing thing about these stories by Gilbert is that even though they are short, they pack a heck of a wallop. Each story could have been expanded into a novel--the themes are so rich and story-worthy--but Gilbert's economy and deft descriptions make it possible to tell the essentials in an action-packed short without losing any of the important points. Straight, to the point storytelling with believable plots and characterization make for a prize-package of reading. So, economical are they, that it would be difficult to give a synopsis without giving away the essence of the story. Highly recommended.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thank.
September 8, 2024
Oh, these stories were good - very good, in fact - some of the best spy short stories I've ever read. In the le Carre vein they're unsentimental and full of insight into human nature. However, I appreciated that they aren't unfeeling or depressing. Obviously I'm having trouble describing them, so if you're at all interested in mystery/spy stories, I'd give these a try.
There's another volume of stories about these two almost-retired agents, which I'm about to start, and of course the author wrote many novels. I can especially recommend Murder in Captivity and Smallbone Deceased. It's been a while since I've been this pleased with a short story collection!
There's another volume of stories about these two almost-retired agents, which I'm about to start, and of course the author wrote many novels. I can especially recommend Murder in Captivity and Smallbone Deceased. It's been a while since I've been this pleased with a short story collection!
June 21, 2023
It seems Michael Gilbert couldn't write a bad book, and he could write all sorts of books--books set in the legal world, WW II, boarding schools, law enforcement, and books in all sorts of genres--legal thrillers, mysteries, police procedurals, espionage. Also, he was equally adept at both short stories and novels. Game Without Rules, a collection of short stories about two British spies named Calder and Behrens, is one of my favorites so far. Each and every story is ever so clever and highly entertaining. I am so happy I stumbled upon Gilbert because, in addition to being such a talented writer, he was extremely prolific.
July 11, 2022
These are the best spy stories I’ve ever read. And the last one might break your heart.
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September 3, 2025This was a five-star read, practically jumped onto the need-to-buy-my-own-copy wishlist, until the last story. For this, I can't give a star rating.
Until that nasty little surprise, this was a fun collection of stories, presumably about two retired old men who lived near each other in a rural Kentish village; one kept bees and lived with his aunt, while the other was a solitary presence, save for his loyal deerhound. But, things aren't always what they seem - Mr Behrens, Mr Calder, and Rasselas are professionals attached to the "E" branch of Joint Services Standing Intelligence Committee, aka the super-secret spies. Behrens and Calder are WWII veterans, spies, assassins, and even security detail for vulnerable princelings. They know their shit and very rarely are caught off guard. If you like hitmen stories or espionage tales, you'll love this - if you can stomach the spoiler above.
Until that nasty little surprise, this was a fun collection of stories, presumably about two retired old men who lived near each other in a rural Kentish village; one kept bees and lived with his aunt, while the other was a solitary presence, save for his loyal deerhound. But, things aren't always what they seem - Mr Behrens, Mr Calder, and Rasselas are professionals attached to the "E" branch of Joint Services Standing Intelligence Committee, aka the super-secret spies. Behrens and Calder are WWII veterans, spies, assassins, and even security detail for vulnerable princelings. They know their shit and very rarely are caught off guard. If you like hitmen stories or espionage tales, you'll love this - if you can stomach the spoiler above.
September 30, 2024
Any book that mentions my home village always gets an added star ⭐️! And these stories were perfect. But oh, Rasselas!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2023
More entertaining than Lecarre. As viscous as Bond. 2 old guys and a great dog against all enemies.
December 17, 2023
De eerste titel die we lezen uit de nieuw vormgegeven Penguin Modern Classics Crime & Espionage-reeks. Michael Gilbert was een Brits advocaat en auteur van een behoorlijk uitgebreid oeuvre aan misdaad- en spionageromans, zijn werk werd meermaals gelauwerd en onderstaande kortverhalen vormden de aanleiding voor een 16-tal hoorspelen op de BBC-radio.
Game Without Rules is een collectie van 11 kortverhalen met als centrale figuren Mr. Calder and Mr. Behrens, twee veteranen van de Britse inlichtingendienst, die nu actief zijn in de speciale 'E'-afdeling, waar de zaken belanden die het daglicht schuwen of acuut de nationale veiligheid bedreigen. De twee bevriende en gedistingeerde heren zouden uiteindelijk opdraven in 42 verhalen in Gilbert's oeuvre, waarbij we even vergaten te melden dat in Game Without Rules Rasselas, de Perzische windhond van Mr. Calder, een bijna even prominente rol speelt als de heren zelf.
De verhalen zijn vlot geschreven, de hoofdkarakters goed uitgewerkt en de plots zijn meestal prima gevonden en verrassend, maar binnen het spionage-genre missen de kortverhalen iets wat we zelf als een essentieel onderdeel van dat genre beschouwen: slepende onzekerheid, sluipende spanning en een soort wurgende traagheid.
Michael Gilbert toont aan dat je ook in kortverhalen met het genre aan de slag kan, maar aangezien die zich, wegens het label 'kort', niet lenen tot dat slepende onzekere, beschouwden we ze toch eerder als sympathiek of goed uitgewerkte 'raadseltjes' dan als onder de huid kruipende spionageverhalen. Meermaals waren we ook verrast door de hardheid van de besluiten of personages, al komt die misschien ook eerder zo binnen omdat het allemaal relatief snel moet gaan in de kortverhalen.
Verdienstelijk en aangenaam om lezen, maar niet waar we zelf naar op zoek zijn als we het spionagegenre ter hand nemen. Het zal nog wel even zoeken zijn eer we iets te lezen vinden dat aan de Karla-trilogie van John Le Carré kan tippen.
Game Without Rules is een collectie van 11 kortverhalen met als centrale figuren Mr. Calder and Mr. Behrens, twee veteranen van de Britse inlichtingendienst, die nu actief zijn in de speciale 'E'-afdeling, waar de zaken belanden die het daglicht schuwen of acuut de nationale veiligheid bedreigen. De twee bevriende en gedistingeerde heren zouden uiteindelijk opdraven in 42 verhalen in Gilbert's oeuvre, waarbij we even vergaten te melden dat in Game Without Rules Rasselas, de Perzische windhond van Mr. Calder, een bijna even prominente rol speelt als de heren zelf.
De verhalen zijn vlot geschreven, de hoofdkarakters goed uitgewerkt en de plots zijn meestal prima gevonden en verrassend, maar binnen het spionage-genre missen de kortverhalen iets wat we zelf als een essentieel onderdeel van dat genre beschouwen: slepende onzekerheid, sluipende spanning en een soort wurgende traagheid.
Michael Gilbert toont aan dat je ook in kortverhalen met het genre aan de slag kan, maar aangezien die zich, wegens het label 'kort', niet lenen tot dat slepende onzekere, beschouwden we ze toch eerder als sympathiek of goed uitgewerkte 'raadseltjes' dan als onder de huid kruipende spionageverhalen. Meermaals waren we ook verrast door de hardheid van de besluiten of personages, al komt die misschien ook eerder zo binnen omdat het allemaal relatief snel moet gaan in de kortverhalen.
Verdienstelijk en aangenaam om lezen, maar niet waar we zelf naar op zoek zijn als we het spionagegenre ter hand nemen. Het zal nog wel even zoeken zijn eer we iets te lezen vinden dat aan de Karla-trilogie van John Le Carré kan tippen.
December 9, 2024
I enjoyed this set of stories - though it took me a moment to realign my brain for them. Written in the 1960s in the heart of the Cold War about two gentlemen spies in the United Kingdom, I needed to step myself back in time to an era through which I lived and then adjust my cultural thinking from American to British. Once there, the stories progressed smoothly and intriguingly; a little old fashioned, but fun nonetheless.
Edition note: I read the 2024 re-release of these stories.
Edition note: I read the 2024 re-release of these stories.
December 17, 2024
Satisfying stories of two British spies in the heyday of the Cold War.
May 19, 2020
Mr. Calder and Mr. Behrens are quiet, retired bachelors and neighbors. Every once in a while, one or both of them takes a trip. Sometimes Mr. Calder's well-trained Persian deerhound comes along with them. Some of the neighbors in Kent suspect--but none of them say--that there's something unusual about these journeys. Both Calder and Behrens belong to a secretive intelligence group, and use all their resources and cunning against the criminals and foreign agents who may threaten the Queen's peace in these well-written and clever stories.
November 14, 2024
Nicely written and well-balanced spy stories — very spare but still atmospheric and clever. My one thought is that I wished there was more of a distinction between the two characters — neither had a kind of defining characteristic, other than the (lovely and awesome) dog. Which brings me to my other caveat — I can read all the murder and espionage stories in the world, but it’s the worst when they kill the dog — so for me, the last story was not a satisfying way to end this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2024
The Road to Damascus ***
On Slay Down ****
The Spoilers *** (A dog is killed)
The Cat Cracker ***
Trembling's Tours ***
The Headmaster **
Heilige Nacht **
"Upon the King..." **
Cross-Over **
Prometheus Unbound **
A Prince of Abyssinia ** (A dog is killed)
On Slay Down ****
The Spoilers *** (A dog is killed)
The Cat Cracker ***
Trembling's Tours ***
The Headmaster **
Heilige Nacht **
"Upon the King..." **
Cross-Over **
Prometheus Unbound **
A Prince of Abyssinia ** (A dog is killed)
July 11, 2025
‘Game Without Rules’ is a collection of spy stories featuring two human and one canine spy. The canine is not really a spy, because dogs cannot see the difference between us and them, they can only respond to instinct or specialised training. As for the two human agents, Mr Samuel Behren and Mr Daniel Calder, Jack Reacher they are not. They are middle-aged, stocky, dumpy old men whose biggest excitement, you'd think, was from a game of chess. But amazingly, they outwit and outsmart and on occasion outshoot much younger men in certain games without rules. There is an equal amount of cerebration and hard action, suspense and fear in all the tales, rendering each episode as masterful as any that came out of a le Carré novel.
Most of the anthology was originally published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine between 1962 and 1967
"The Road to Damascus" ripe triple bluff by a triple cross spy. The chance discovery of a dene-hole shelter leads Behrens and Calder to a skeleton. But whose is it, and why does it have two bullet holes in its head?
"On Slay Down" How do spies behave when caught by the enemy red handed? Well, if they're caught in a really embarrassing position, there really is no other way but one.
"The Spoilers" Blackmail top civil servants and render them useless to the government they serve. Then move in on your real objective: your employers’ objective. Who can stop you now? Well, a dachshund named Fritz, perhaps. Or a high pressure strength steam hose…
If you torture a man and fail to break him, it becomes like a love affair.
"The Cat Cracker" In Cold War choices, if you had to take sides, what would be the one detail to swing your decision?
"Trembling's Tours" Snafus happen when the left hand doesn't know what the right is up to, or when the right hand decides that on a need to know basis, the left hand is kept out of the picture. And so, lives are lost. Maybe not innocent lives, but just the same… And the killer gets safely out.
"The Headmaster" The line is usually, The Butler Did it. There's a slight variation in this one, but not such a big one that the secret is given away almost from the start.
"Heilige Nacht" A Christmas office party heist, and a pair of stuck-up snobs at the Embassy undoes years of painstaking intelligence work, besides costing a man his life.
"Upon the King..." A schoolboy in a private school, polishing his senior’s boots, hears of his father's death, and his elevation as ruler of a dangerous Oriental Kingdom. Despite the efforts of Behren and Calder, the boy faces profound danger on his return trip home to assume his throne.
"Cross-Over" An agent trained by the Soviets prepares to defect and return home, with a little help from Behrens and Calder.
"Prometheus Unbound" Sadly, it is not unknown for an espionage agent to go mad, through the sheer weight of the secrets he is forced to carry. Fortunately for one agent, his dog remains faithful when others believe him to be lost forever.
"A Prince of Abyssinia” Revenge, and a grave for a prince.
Most of the anthology was originally published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine between 1962 and 1967
"The Road to Damascus" ripe triple bluff by a triple cross spy. The chance discovery of a dene-hole shelter leads Behrens and Calder to a skeleton. But whose is it, and why does it have two bullet holes in its head?
"On Slay Down" How do spies behave when caught by the enemy red handed? Well, if they're caught in a really embarrassing position, there really is no other way but one.
"The Spoilers" Blackmail top civil servants and render them useless to the government they serve. Then move in on your real objective: your employers’ objective. Who can stop you now? Well, a dachshund named Fritz, perhaps. Or a high pressure strength steam hose…
If you torture a man and fail to break him, it becomes like a love affair.
"The Cat Cracker" In Cold War choices, if you had to take sides, what would be the one detail to swing your decision?
"Trembling's Tours" Snafus happen when the left hand doesn't know what the right is up to, or when the right hand decides that on a need to know basis, the left hand is kept out of the picture. And so, lives are lost. Maybe not innocent lives, but just the same… And the killer gets safely out.
"The Headmaster" The line is usually, The Butler Did it. There's a slight variation in this one, but not such a big one that the secret is given away almost from the start.
"Heilige Nacht" A Christmas office party heist, and a pair of stuck-up snobs at the Embassy undoes years of painstaking intelligence work, besides costing a man his life.
"Upon the King..." A schoolboy in a private school, polishing his senior’s boots, hears of his father's death, and his elevation as ruler of a dangerous Oriental Kingdom. Despite the efforts of Behren and Calder, the boy faces profound danger on his return trip home to assume his throne.
"Cross-Over" An agent trained by the Soviets prepares to defect and return home, with a little help from Behrens and Calder.
"Prometheus Unbound" Sadly, it is not unknown for an espionage agent to go mad, through the sheer weight of the secrets he is forced to carry. Fortunately for one agent, his dog remains faithful when others believe him to be lost forever.
"A Prince of Abyssinia” Revenge, and a grave for a prince.
July 30, 2025
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In the world of online sports betting, cricket has gained significant popularity due to its massive global fan base. PinUp Cricket https://pinupcricket.com/app/ stands out as one of the most comprehensive platforms for cricket betting, offering users an exciting, secure, and easy-to-use experience. Whether you’re a casual fan or a seasoned bettor, PinUp Cricket caters to a wide variety of needs, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
One of the major strengths of PinUp Cricket is its extensive range of betting options. The platform allows users to bet on popular cricket events like international matches, domestic leagues, and even minor tournaments. From pre-match betting to live betting during the match, PinUp Cricket offers dynamic and real-time betting opportunities, enhancing the excitement and engagement of the entire experience.
The user interface of the app is designed to be intuitive, making it easy for both new and experienced users to navigate through various sections and place their bets. The app's sleek design allows quick access to live events, upcoming matches, odds, and results, ensuring that users don’t miss out on any action. Whether you’re at home or on the go, the app is optimized for both desktop and mobile use, providing convenience and flexibility for bettors to place their wagers anytime, anywhere.
Security is a top priority at PinUp Cricket, and the platform ensures that all transactions are protected by advanced encryption technologies. This gives users peace of mind when it comes to managing their account details and making financial transactions. The platform also offers multiple payment methods, making deposits and withdrawals easy and hassle-free.
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November 15, 2024
The English author Michael Gilbert had a long and varied writing career. He published over fifty novels and short story collections between 1947 and his death at age 93 in 2006. He wrote police procedurals, spy novels, classical mysteries, courtroom dramas and thrillers. He was a full time English solicitor. He wrote all of his books during his train commute back and forth to work. Some of his novels are classic British crime stories. "Smallbone Deceased"(1950) and "After the Verdict" (1961) are two of my favorites.
This is a 1967 collection of short stories originally published in 1967. It is a collection of short stories about Daniel Calder and Samuel Berhans. They are two elderly English gentleman living out in the country. They are also the top undercover agents for British Intelligence. They get send out to deal with the most dangerous foreign agents. It has just been re-issued in a handsome paperback edition by Herald Classics.
It is a disappointment. It is written in full cold war mode. The Russians are doing nasty things to infiltrate and undermine England. Calder and Berhans are trained killers. There is an uncomfortable number of murders by them on English soil. They complain about the younger generation who doesn't relish violence the way they do. The stories are pretty straight forward with no real twists. Average stuff.
This is a 1967 collection of short stories originally published in 1967. It is a collection of short stories about Daniel Calder and Samuel Berhans. They are two elderly English gentleman living out in the country. They are also the top undercover agents for British Intelligence. They get send out to deal with the most dangerous foreign agents. It has just been re-issued in a handsome paperback edition by Herald Classics.
It is a disappointment. It is written in full cold war mode. The Russians are doing nasty things to infiltrate and undermine England. Calder and Berhans are trained killers. There is an uncomfortable number of murders by them on English soil. They complain about the younger generation who doesn't relish violence the way they do. The stories are pretty straight forward with no real twists. Average stuff.
December 5, 2024
With its layered intrigue and arcane tradecraft, espionage is tricky to convey in short story form. In this 1967 collection of 11 witty, gritty Cold War tales, Gilbert gives a masterclass in how to carry it off with ingenuity and style. Slim Mr. Behrens, living with his aunt and keeping bees in a Kentish village, and stocky Mr. Calder, sharing a nearby cottage with the imposing Persian deerhound Rasselas, make quite the pair. Ostensibly retired, they are actually agents of the External branch, "a bunch of middle-aged cutthroats" on call to do dirty work for British intelligence. Gilbert keeps readers guessing on every page, alternating tweedy congeniality with stark brutality and understated emotion. Plots vary, from "On Slay Ground," a taut account of a routine assassination gone wrong—or has it?—to "The Spoilers," a byzantine blackmailing puzzler with a high body count that condenses a novel's worth of twists and reversals into a few dozen pages. A clever marriage of the cold unease of Le Carré and the cozy charm of Christie, these highly addictive tales of intrigue will appeal to a wide range of readers; here's hoping the duo's other collection, Mr. Calder and Mr. Behrens, gets reprinted soon.
November 17, 2024
A fantastic collection of espionage short stories featuring two semi-retired agents, Samuel Behrens and Daniel Calder, as well as Rasselas, a Persian deer hound who plays a critical role in several of the stories. Their controller, bank manager Mr. Fortescue, sends them out when other branches cannot handle the assignments.
But even though they seem like two eccentric retired gentlemen, don't be fooled by that exterior. When called for, they are as ruthless and quick to action as any James Bond or Jason Bourne. The stories fall right into the 1960's European Cold War, us vs. them, mostly Russians and their allies. Behrens and Calder chase threats to England both internal and external, some left over from WWII and some using the most "modern" technology of the time.
Each short story is expertly written, packing a lot of action and characters into a small package. Mr. Gilbert does a great job capturing this time, and never let's us forget that these are dangerous men (and one dangerous dog) despite their appearance. Very well done.
But even though they seem like two eccentric retired gentlemen, don't be fooled by that exterior. When called for, they are as ruthless and quick to action as any James Bond or Jason Bourne. The stories fall right into the 1960's European Cold War, us vs. them, mostly Russians and their allies. Behrens and Calder chase threats to England both internal and external, some left over from WWII and some using the most "modern" technology of the time.
Each short story is expertly written, packing a lot of action and characters into a small package. Mr. Gilbert does a great job capturing this time, and never let's us forget that these are dangerous men (and one dangerous dog) despite their appearance. Very well done.
April 4, 2025
A delightful gem of a book.
Spare, direct and expert writing...suitable for the context: about spies in England post the second world war. The format in short stories is engaging, each story original and magnetic....a definite page turner. It's both chilling and charming: chilling with the matter of fact approach to the profession and the sometimes predictable outcomes, and charming to read of the ways of spies in the '50's and '60's, so distant from our world of hyper interconnectedness and high tech.
I admired some of the twists in the story telling, and except for one...all of the stories left me with a deep appreciation of both the story and the author skill in telling it.
I began to care for the characters and the final story, beautiful and appropriate, broke my heart.
I will cherish this read.
Spare, direct and expert writing...suitable for the context: about spies in England post the second world war. The format in short stories is engaging, each story original and magnetic....a definite page turner. It's both chilling and charming: chilling with the matter of fact approach to the profession and the sometimes predictable outcomes, and charming to read of the ways of spies in the '50's and '60's, so distant from our world of hyper interconnectedness and high tech.
I admired some of the twists in the story telling, and except for one...all of the stories left me with a deep appreciation of both the story and the author skill in telling it.
I began to care for the characters and the final story, beautiful and appropriate, broke my heart.
I will cherish this read.
May 17, 2025
3.75/5 ⭐️— rounded up to 4
I haven’t ever read any mystery novels quite like this, but it was enjoyable! When I got it, I didn’t expect it to be a collection of short stories but it was nice to see a change of pace. The short stories were nice, but I felt like they were too short to really give me the opportunity to solve the mysteries myself. The characters were very enjoyable and I wish I got to know them more in the stories. Overall, this is a very interesting set of short mysteries that were refreshing and easy to enjoy!
I haven’t ever read any mystery novels quite like this, but it was enjoyable! When I got it, I didn’t expect it to be a collection of short stories but it was nice to see a change of pace. The short stories were nice, but I felt like they were too short to really give me the opportunity to solve the mysteries myself. The characters were very enjoyable and I wish I got to know them more in the stories. Overall, this is a very interesting set of short mysteries that were refreshing and easy to enjoy!
April 2, 2024
I read Somerset Maugham's Ashenden some time ago and enjoyed that. My Dad ordered this book and gave it to me to read. I was hesitant at first because I didn't like all of the Michael Gilbert books that I've read. This is a book of short stories about two British spies. I really enjoyed this book. I liked it better than Ashenden. Maugham goes into too much detail describing his characters sometimes. Gilbert concentrates more on the stories.
January 24, 2025
While I read this book in one day and tried to read the first 30 pages twice to get a grasp of what was going on, I did not get this book at all. I just couldn’t grasp what was going on and the words seemed to go over my head, and honestly it was just boring and confusing. Like the author was trying to be witty and different than the great classic mystery books but it just left the reader lost within the story they were trying to build.
January 10, 2024
Right wing tosh that Daily Mail readers would love, with casual prejudices scattered throughout a series of preposterous short stories, each one disjointed with far too many characters and plots that jump around from one paragraph to another without even a blank line separating them. And plenty of extra judicial crimes including murder covered up as a matter of course….
September 15, 2024
Vintage short stories set in the immediate post-World War II era featuring ace military intelligence agents Mr. Behrens and Mr. Calder, who have retired to the countryside in Kent where they pursue pastoral hobbies and attract no attention. But they have not retired from their profession; they have graduated to the riskiest assignments of all. Suspenseful and clever.
February 4, 2025
It took me much longer than usual to read this book because I did not enjoy it at all. I guess I just don't find short story collections very interesting. They were very hit or miss, and the final one was the biggest miss of all. I have a hard time forgiving the author for killing a dog, especially for what seemed like no reason at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2023
I picked up this book after hearing of it on the #Spybrary podcast. A collection of short stories that introduces you to a couple of “retired” MI5 agents. They don’t lack for their Englishness. I was terribly sad after the last story. RIP Rasselas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2022
Bleak, spare, tautly crafted.
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