Death in the Quadrangle: A Classic Mystery

by Ellis Dillon

Professor Daly journeys to his alma mater to give lectures, only to become involved in the intrigues of murder

Genres: Mystery, Ireland, Fiction, Murder Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Crime

196 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1986

Reviews

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Professor John Daly has been invited back to King's University to give a prestigious series of lectures, but it turns out that it is not for his academic prowess but rather his crime solving that was the reason for the invitation.  The current President of the University has been sent a series of threatening letters and after the first few President Bradley has started to get worried and take it seriously.  Professor Daly has just managed to get his friend Inspector Kenny in to the University incognito (although Bradley recognised him) when the worst possible outcome happens and Bradley is found dead.

The problem is that there is no shortage of suspects as practically everyone disliked him - so academia and the Gardai will need to work together and quickly to find the solution!

[Jennifer Cagle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery is set in the 1950s, a time often viewed as having higher moral standards, with less explicit content and coarse language in literature. With that in mind, I found this mystery to be thoroughly enjoyable.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

First Published in 1956. Retired Professor Daly is invited to give a series of lecture at his old university in Dublin by the present University president Professor Bradley. His underlying reason in doing so is to get Daly to determine who is sending him threatening letters to kill him.
Soon Bradley has been killed and Daly with his friend policeman Mike Kenny they determine the guilty party.
I found the style of writing not really to my taste and the story felt a little flat.
A NetGalley Book

[Doug Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four years after his retirement as an English professor at the King's University in Dublin, Professor Daly is invited back to give a series of lectures. When Daly arrives, he is told by President Bradley that Bradley had an ulterior motive in inviting him: Bradley has been receiving anonymous threatening notes, and he fears for his life.

Daly invites his detective friend Inspector Mike Kenny to visit the university and observe the inhabitants. When a murder indeed occurs, Kenny is all set to carry out an investigation. Kenny gets some valuable assistance from Daly in navigating this foreign environment and figuring out what to make of the quirky professors who had been Daly's colleagues for years. These unusual characters are a highlight of the story, which gives a vivid portrayal of academic life at an Irish university in the 1950s.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've listened to three books by Eilis Dillon, and I have found them to be all the same, rather dull, prosy and difficult to follow due to the number of characters. I listened on audiobook so perhaps this is the reason. The narrator's voice - the same in all three - was plodding and ponderous, making the stories unlively and dull, rendering it difficult to stay focussed and interested in the story. He also made only very slight vocal differences between the different characters, and this is audiobook suicide. The lack of any significant 'voice acting' is probably what let these down for me. Reading the books might have made them better; or perhaps not. Could be they just weren't very good books, but I'll give the benefit of the doubt.

[P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are too many characters and too little plot in DQ. Set in ye olde claustrophobic university the staff is quirky, and their quirks have quirks. Not the interesting kind, either. Decently written, but dull.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not find this as engaging or as interesting as Death at Crane's Court. While the academic setting was well enough done, there were just too many quirky characters around, even given the Irish setting.

Disappointing. 3.5 stars

[Barry Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

A retired professor and a police inspector are not the crime fighting team I was expecting to find when I started this novel but a good team they make. His is my second Eilis Dillon book and I will certainly be looking for number three when it is released.

[Tammie Groeneman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Many of the characters are so vaguely described that I couldn’t tell the difference between them. Makes the ‘who dun it’ reveal very unsatisfying.

[Bryngel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kept my interest. Not something that I ran home to, though. I can honestly say that I won't be looking for more books by Dillon.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retired professor Daly returns to his college in Dublin to give a series of lectures, only to find changes mandated by the unpopular new college president. Then the president confides that his life is being threatened. Daly invites his friend, Guards Inspector Kenny, in for a quiet look around, but unfortunately the president's fears are justified. Even Daly himself has a motive to kill the unpleasant man, and Kenny must find the real murderer before Daly ends up in real trouble.

[Eileen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine story of academic life and death which put me in mind of Dorothy L. Sayers Lord Peter Wimsey novel Gaudy Night.
I look forward to reading more from Ellis Dillon.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Endeavour via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

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