The Amazing Chance

by Patricia Wentworth

A former soldier who’s been unwittingly living another man’s life is given the chance to turn back the clock   Anton Blum is the strongest man in Konigswald. But the German peasant is mute; he hasn’t spoken a word since he was wounded in action nearly a decade earlier. On a stormy night, he is recruited by British officers to help remove a tree that has fallen across the road. A flash of lightning strikes, and Anton is struck in the head by a branch. He opens his eyes and addresses one of the officers in English, calling him a nickname he couldn’t possibly know. The truth is even more Anton isn’t actually Anton, but a long-missing English soldier.   Lookalike cousins Jack and Jim Laydon were presumed to have perished in a raid during the war. Cotterell Laydon, the present owner of Laydon Manor, is stunned to discover that one of his grandsons might be alive. But is he Jack or Jim? Now the long-lost Laydon must prove his identity before he can lay claim to the ancestral estate—and the wife who sees him as a complete stranger. Is it possible he isn’t a Laydon at all?  

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Ebooks, Mystery Thriller, British Literature, Golden Age Mystery, Classics

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1926

About the author

Patricia Wentworth--born Dora Amy Elles--was a British crime fiction writer.

She was educated privately and at Blackheath High School in London. After the death of her first husband, George F. Dillon, in 1906, she settled in Camberley, Surrey. She married George Oliver Turnbull in 1920 and they had one daughter.

She wrote a series of 32 classic-style whodunnits featuring Miss Silver, the first of which was published in 1928, and the last in 1961, the year of her death.

Miss Silver, a retired governess-turned private detective, is sometimes compared to Jane Marple, the elderly detective created by Agatha Christie. She works closely with Scotland Yard, especially Inspector Frank Abbott and is fond of quoting the poet Tennyson.

Wentworth also wrote 34 books outside of that series.

Reviews

[Andrea]

This reflects a similar plot in an earlier Wentworth called "She Came Back" where a woman thought dead three years returns home. That story was set during WWII, while this is set long after the Armistice, which means both stories have similar beats, and very different outcomes.

I preferred this to "She Came Back" though.

[A Bear and a Bee Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this!

[Evelyn Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delicious and delightful a suspension romance in 1926

This is one of Wentworths earlier novels – – don't expect it to be crime fiction. There's plenty of suspense however and it's a page turner. I think you'll enjoy this one – – I sure did!

[Anne Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my Mum’s book and not something I would normally read but the text on the back sounded interesting so I gave it a try. Really enjoyed it! Loved the suspense and intrigue the whole way through and a bit of romance too. Really good enjoyable book.

[Savy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me guessing until the end. I loved the complicated storyline that, indeed, resembled the plots of the Case of William Smith and She Came Back (other books by Wentworth, featuring Miss Silver), but not quite so (just like both of the other plots resemble each other but not fully, or enough). I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue of this story without any murder or need for policing/detecting. The story unfolded itself quite naturally and perfectly, only the rather easy and frequent trips across the English border into Germany confused me a bit.
All in all, it was hard for me to put this book down, and I enjoyed reading, and guessing along, every minute of it!

[Deena · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it was a nice treat to read a new-to-me Wentworth title, I didn't love it as much as I was hoping. Evelyn seemed like an under-developed Katherine, and I struggled to like Anthony/Tony/Jack/Jim as much as I did William. I struggled with the ending because I didn't understand why he was who they decided/realized he was - he was apparently taking her word for it, and there was not real explanation of why Evelyn thought he was the one she said he was.
Still, it was a Wentworth, and I am glad to have been able to read it.

[krysti bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Read this book!

I love British novels, especially from the past- The Lord Peter Mysteries,
Regency, Victorian, Sherlock Holmes and PG Wodehouse- they just have to be good. And these Patricia Wentworth novels are amazing!!
Her knack for description, her making me unable to stop reading because I really need to find out what happens next-
Trust me. Read this book, and everything else you can find, by Patricia Wentworth.

[Caron Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So romantic!

This is not a mystery in the sense of dead bodies or stolen pearls, but it is the mystery of an identity and a missing man. Yes there are suggestions along the lines we see in William Smith, but this is primarily a sweet romance, and very enjoyable too. Highly recommended.

[Jane Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the Miss Silver books and haven't read any other ones till now. This was ok but I got a bit fed up with some of the characters and the whole book seemed awfully slow and the whole thing took too long to get going or even stay going. Perhaps Patricia Wentworth improved over the years and got better at creating atmosphere and pace. However am happy to try some more at a later date.

[Cate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read, but really, so much fuss over such a simple thing. Rather ridiculous really. Not my favorite.

[Diletta Nicastro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bello, bello, bello! Leggere questo libro è stato un grandissimo piacere e mi ha dato l’opportunità di conoscere un’autrice inglese che mai avevo letto prima: Patricia Wentworth, pseudonimo di Dora Amy Dillon Turnbull.

Il tema della perdita della memoria mi ha sempre affascinato. Ritrovarlo in un romanzo ambientato (e scritto) negli Anni Venti mi ha sedotto come le sirene di Ulisse.
Il libro è scritto benissimo ed incanta già con le prime righe in cui un uomo forte e all’apparenza muto spacca la legna, mentre il sole è ormai nascosto dagli alberi del freddo bosco. La trama basa tutta la suspense sulla ricerca dell’identità di Laydon: è Gene è Gary? E chi dei due Paula amava? Il marito Gene o il cugino Gary, con cui era stata fidanzata a lungo? E lo smemorato non è forse addirittura un impostore?
I pensieri dei personaggi sono descritti attraverso le azioni e i dettagli e molto meno attraverso un viaggio nella mente, perché altrimenti si sarebbe rivelato il finale troppo presto.
Lo stesso Laydon perché agisce in questo modo? Perché non rivela chi è? Veramente non riesce a ricordarlo?
Le domande trascinano fino all’ultima riga dell’ultima pagina, quando il libro si chiude e si ha il desiderio che in realtà vada avanti. Verrebbe voglia che ne venisse fatto un film, in cui approfondire tutta la parte prima dello scoppio della Grande Guerra, con il racconto di Paula, Gene, Gary e Louis Field. Con i fidanzamenti e i litigi, con le dichiarazioni d’amore e gli inganni, con i matrimoni e la chiamata alla guerra. Chi amava Paula? Chi? E perché sposò Gene?
Bellissimo vedere il mondo che è cambiato tra il 1915 e il 1925 attraverso gli occhi di Laydon, che si ritrova circondato da donne con i capelli corti, abiti mutati, balli nuovi. E bello il modo in cui l’autrice descrive i personaggi (in principal modo le donne) in base agli abiti indossati (la sempre elegante e discreta Paula, la frizzante Lucy, la comica popolana Palma Pelliser, l’abbottonata e intrigante Sophie Abbott). Un viaggio nella moda assolutamente meraviglioso che trasporta direttamente dentro ad un set che potrebbe essere quello di 'Downton Abbey'. Durante le feste a cui partecipano Paula e Laydon non ci si stupirebbe se incrociassero i Crawley.
Altro dettaglio che richiama 'Downton Abbey' è la rapidità con cui si affrontano le scene e i cambiamenti di set, con i momenti cruciali della trama spesso raccontati rapidamente dopo che sono accaduti e riferiti attraverso i dialoghi dei personaggi.
Un altro elemento che mi ha colpito è il richiamo ad un giardino segreto all’interno della villa Laydon, di cui custodisce le chiavi solo Paula ma dentro al quale la donna, in dieci anni, mai è entrata. La scena notturna in questo piccolo luogo segreto, impreziosito da profumati narcisi, è intensa e quasi onirica. Si riesce davvero a vedere la fontana zampillare, il prato illuminato dalla luna, la porta cigolare le ombre nascondere e rivelare. Un omaggio, forse, a Frances H. Burnett ma dolcissimo.
Infine una nota sul personaggio di Anna Blum, descritto benissimo e capace di attirare l’attenzione anche muta, mentre sferruzza con il suo lavoro a maglia.

Nota sulla versione italiana: il titolo originale dell’opera, The amazing chance, ha un impatto emotivo molto più forte di quello dato dalla versione in italiano, Lo smemorato di Colonia e rispecchia molto meglio il carattere di questo romanzo.
Sebbene la traduzione sia degli Anni Trenta, la lettura scorre via veloce, senza parole particolarmente desuete.
Il libro è inserito ne ‘I classici del giallo’, ma a mio avviso è molto, molto di più. E’ uno sguardo in un mondo ormai andato, è un dipinto di emozioni e di sensazioni, è la storia di un’epoca lontana raccontata da chi la stava vivendo…

[Connie Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great clean mystery. It dragged a bit for me because there is so much detail. The time period is the 1800’s. Anton is a big strong man that Anna has taken care of. He is dumb and is made fun of by the village people. He helps some men clear a road during a storm and he is struck by a big branch, is knocked out, and wakes up speaking English. He calls one of the men by his nick name Monkey. So then they try to figure out who he is. Two cousins were called to war about a half hour after one was married (the other was best man). So is he jack the best man, or is he Jim the husband. Both were in love with the bride Evelyn.

[Knight Thief · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't get it at all. I knew he was one of the cousins. I just couldn't get into it. I didn't care.
The first few chapters were engaging, but I knew in the beginning and I just couldn't / didn't care beyond that. For me its so bland, so predictable.

For those who like this type of novel, it could be a very good read.

I like the other ones better - William Smith, Anna Belinda and others I loved. This one for me. is a pass

[Bill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beating around the bush

British twits get their knickers in a twist over the identity of long missing WWI pilot downed over rural Germany, losing his memory, his ability to speak. Then, when he regains his senses and returns to England and is accepted, no one will believe it. Hand wringing is the least of it. No one can get to the point in any conversation. Skip to the end to get the Big Reveal. I wish I had.

[Valerie]

This book starts in a very different place for a book by Patricia Wentworth, although it's a mystery of sorts, and I guessed wrong till the very last page. The characters are varied and typical of Wentworth's later work, and interesting enough to engage the reader through some confusion at the beginning.

[Marilyn Kavanaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very romantic

Was he Jack or Jim? If you read the last page, you’ll spoil for yourself a subtly crafted mystery and romance and you’ll never know whether you would have solved it correctly.

[Joelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful mystery excellently narrated by Anne Hancock that keeps you guessing right to the very end! I absolutely loved it and I will definitely be reading/listening to more books by this author!

[Tuesdayschild · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook narrated by Anne Hancock (8h 7m)
I was in the mood to enjoy a vintage area mystery and so did. The mystery does not surround a murder or a theft, it’s about trying to work out just whom this man is ….
This is gentle yester-year mystery that is undergirded with romantic intent.

[Helen McCabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another of my top favourite books, not just favourite Wentworth's. A great story, super-romantic, and keeps you guessing to the very end.

[Heather Culley · Rating 5 out of 5]

World war 1 was hard on everyone.

[Jean H. Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing twists and turns.

[Virginia B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mystery, but no murders. The suspense kept up till the very last page. Good characters, too. Don’t think I’ve ever read anything by Patricia Wentworth, but would like to again.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite PW, for sure.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Lynnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A teasing and suspenseful mystery right to the end. I enjoyed this very much.

(Plus so many lovely descriptions of clothes!)

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a Miss Silver, but good!

Until the very end of the novel, I didn't know the identity of the "mystery man". Well done! I was definitely satisfied.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Post-World War II Germany and in England, the plot involves three aviators all lost on the same day and a mute amnesiac peasant who is struck on the head during a storm, regains his memory but will not or cannot identify himself beyond his surname. Which of the lost aviators is he? Will his wife still want him back? Will his family accept him? What has happened in the ten years since his plane crashed, and he woke up with a new identity? A second blow on the head at least gives him his surname which is a starting place to find all the answers. This is one of the best of Wentworth's stand-alone mysteries.

[Sep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 1927, the "Amazing Chance" takes place in 1925. The book opens in POV of Anton Blum, a mute German peasant. He has been silent since a war injury took away both his memory and powers of speech. He is strong but very simple. He will, if asked by his aunt, do any task until she tells him to stop. Why then, on page 19, after another blow to the head, does he say in perfect upper class English, "Hello Monkey, that was a bit of a crump--wasn't it?"

Patricia Wentworth who later became famous for the Miss Silver mysteries, wrote several adventure novels in the 1920s. Reading them is like jumping into a time machine and landing in a society of members of the upper class who are coping with post World War I England. "Monkey" was Major Manning's nickname in boarding school and only a fellow school boy would know and be allowed to use it. When Anton wakes up, he only gives them his last name and insists that's all he can remember that and little more. The mystery is that he could be one of two or three cousins who were all aviators, and all disappeared, presumed dead, in the war.

The enormity of families suffering such losses is touched on lightly but with pathos. The old grandfather, who has soldiered on for the last ten years, displays an heroic commitment to the old great house and the lands it includes. He lost both sons in the Boer War and raised his grandsons. He desperately wants to believe Anton is one of them.

There are of course no DNA tests. Blood tests and finger prints are not mentioned. Neither are scars which I found very interesting because most kids acquire a few while growing up. After ten years the boy of twenty-one is a man of thirty-one. And then there's our heroine. Two of dead cousins loved Evelyn, and one of them married her. Neither Evelyn or Anton will say which one came back.

An amusing view of what was considered appropriate in the 1920s was interesting. Anton is considered hideous in the beginning with his bushy beard, bulging muscles, and plump face. Everyone is relieved that as the story progresses, his muscles disappear (without turning to fat so you know it's fiction) and his face and body slim down. A lower class woman's perfume is unpleasant and compared to that of one of the maids. Evelyn puts on an evening dress for dinner in her simple flat because the cook and housemaid would not have it any other way.

[Joann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your typical mystery. A man who has lost his memory regains some of his memory but is not sure who he is and his relatives and friends are not sure either. I love how she makes the various characters come alive and keeps you turning the pages.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely read.