Bones of Contention

Superintendent Burnivel #2

by Edward Candy

The arrival of a mysterious skeleton at the Royal College of Pediatricians in London reveals a complex conspiracy involving blackmail and murder

Genres: Mystery

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1954

Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the stuffy academic atmosphere of this book, and the limited omniscience, which ratcheted up the suspense toward the end. It's labeled as #2 of the Superintendent Burnival series, but that gentlemen only makes a fleeting appearance at the end. I wished there was a little more explanation --I never did quite grasp why the skeleton was sent.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Mr. Murivance is Director of the London Museum of Pathological Conditions in Childhood, and he is therefore quite accustomed to skeletons. But when a choice specimen arrives in a most unorthodox manner -- packed in a cabin trunk with no return address -- even Mr. Murivance is disturbed. A few days later, Mr. Murivance is dead,

"When it is discovered that he left a generous bequest to the down-and-our Miles Latimer, their esteemed colleagues start talking about cause of death and motive. Then Latimer 'falls' down several steep flights of stairs. And suddenly, the member of the Museum of Pathological Conditions are caught up in romance, blackmail, obsession ... and murder, of course."
~~back cover

Very elegantly written, but the elegant language made it rather difficult to follow the plot, at least for me. Very cerebral, which generally is the hallmark of a good mystery.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It isn't unusual for the museum at the Royal College of Paediatricians to receive a skeleton. But usually they order them first--this one is delivered in a steamer trunk, and nobody knows why, not even the museum's head, Mr. Murivance. When he dies suddenly shortly afterward, no one is too surprised: he was elderly and in failing health. And when the editor of the group's journal Miles Latimer has an unfortunate fall, well--these things happen. Fortunately, Miles has some loyal friends who worry about him.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who sent a skeleton to Mr Murivance at the London Royal College of Pediatricians' museum? "Was she a bequest or a loan or merely someone's unwanted guilty secret?" A clever plot and odd cast of characters made for an enjoyable read, with a humorous tone that reminded me of Edmund Crispin and Sarah Caldwell.