The Murder League

Carruthers, Simpson and Biggs #1

by Robert L. Fish

A crime novel, selected by the Crime Writers' Association, in which three English writers who have fallen on hard times set up an assassination agency in order to raise ten thousand pounds. An advertisement brings them clients, until they have to be rescued from their situation by an infamous rogue.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime

140 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Robert Lloyd Fish was an American writer of crime fiction. His first novel, The Fugitive, gained him the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Allan Poe Award for best first novel in 1962, and his short story "Moonlight Gardener" was awarded the Edgar for best short story in 1972. His 1963 novel Mute Witness, written under the pseudonym Robert L. Pike, was filmed in 1968 as Bullitt, starring Steve McQueen.

Reviews

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 1968, part of the charm of this book is its old-fashioned language and attitudes. Given it centres on the lives of 3 ageing authors, who themselves are seen as old-fashioned, this does not make the novel feel dated. Instead, it adds another layer to enjoy.

I first read this as a teenager, and have continued to enjoy it at each re-reading.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A trio of slightly bored, financially strapped mystery writers decide to kill people (who need to be killed) for money. They figure that as masters of the murder mystery genre, they can pull off the murders flawlessly. What can possibly go wrong?

Very cute cozy mystery, set in 1968 in England. Enjoyable story with a clever ending--after all, how much money do you really need?

[Susy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an oldie, written with the tipical tongue in cheek hunour of the British, though the writer was born in USA. Three old, poor and out of fashion mystery writers devise a way to get money, a murder agency. They will kill on demand 10 persons collecting 1.000 pounds each. Total gain: 10.000 pounds. Of course the gist of the thing is that the murders will be arranged as accidents. And then the devil appears in their way. This is a book to read quickly and remember with a smile.

[Stephen Hull · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun bit of fluff: old mystery writers band together and apply their expertise at killing people in clever and undetectable ways to the real world... by becoming contract killers. Looking forward to reading the other two in the series.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick, fun read written with that wry, sarcastic humor the British are renowned for (albeit written by an American!). If you like Monty Python and Rumpole of The Bailey you will enjoy this book.