Paul Temple and the Tyler Mystery

Paul Temple #7

by Francis Durbridge

When two young women are found murdered within a week of each other, Scotland Yard enlist the help of sleuthing crime writer Paul Temple to unravel the mystery. Working in tandem with his astute and elegant wife Steve, Temple takes up the scent and discovers a dark secret that places them both in mortal danger.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

208 pages, Paperback

Published July 24, 2017

About the author

Francis Henry Durbridge was an English playwright and author born in Hull. In 1938, he created the character Paul Temple for the BBC radio serial Send for Paul Temple.

A crime novelist and detective, the gentlemanly Temple solved numerous crimes with the help of Steve Trent, a Fleet Street journalist who later became his wife. The character proved enormously popular and appeared in 16 radio serials and later spawned a 64-part big-budget television series (1969-71) and radio productions, as well as a number of comic strips, four feature films and various foreign radio productions.

Francis Durbridge also had a successful career as a writer for the stage and screen. His most successful play, Suddenly at Home, ran in London’s West End for over a year.

Reviews

[Robert Hepple]

First published in 1957 and titled 'The Tyler Mystery' this one of the many popular Paul Temple stories. Set in the 1950s in a make-believe England in which the police are so incompetent that one of their best Scotland Yard detectives calls in amateur sleuth Paul Temple within hours of beginning the investigation into the murder of a hairdresser. That said, this happens in many murder/mystery novels so I can't criticise this one in particular. In fact, it is a very fast paced tale with racy dialogue and likeable characters, and takes little time to read. A nice lightweight piece to work in between heavier stuff.

[Lynne]

Back on form and amid the original setting of the early 1950s where Temple really belongs. Durbridge's foray into the late 60s and 70s did not suit our dapper sleuth who has more in common with Wimsey and Campion than Bond. This time, Temple finds himself embroiled in the murders of two hair stylists,who have somehow become enmeshed in the murky world of race fixing. Naturally, everyone involved gives due respect to the novelist and criminologist's detecting and await, Poirot like for the final denouement at, what else, than a cocktail party.

Great stuff!

[J Grimsey]

By Timothy - a good simple thriller in typical Durbridge style.

[Kati]

A case in which Paul and his wife don't want to get involved because they are planning to go to Paris. They never actually get to go to Paris, of course. But the murderer is apprehended, that's true.

[William Barnett]

A realy enjoyable mystery that sets the tone for a 1950s British film noir. Easy to follow and understand.