Pride of Heroes

Jimmy Pibble #2

by Peter Dickinson

A elegant satire of British national myth. *Winner of Britain's CWA Gold Dagger award for Best Crime Novel of the Year. *Complex and deeply ironic, the perfect commendation for readers who disdain genre fiction. *Multi-award-winning author, with significant cult following No on-stage sex or violence. *Will appeal to Anglophiles and fans of PBS's Mystery program. *Read this tale carefully. It's a jewel. - New York Times *For the choicest of mystery confections, try The Old English Peep Show - Chicago Tribune *This is a bit crazy, harrowingly suspenseful, surprising...altogether, not to be missed - San Francisco Chronicle

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, British Literature, Procedural

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Peter Dickinson was an English author and poet widely respected for his children's fiction, detective novels, and imaginative speculative writing. Raised partly in southern Africa before continuing his education in England, he developed an early fascination with adventure stories and classic literature, influences that later shaped his narrative style. He attended Eton College and later studied at King's College, Cambridge, before beginning a long association with the magazine Punch, where he worked for many years as assistant editor, reviewer, and resident poet. Dickinson eventually left journalism to pursue writing full time, publishing works for both adult and younger audiences. His crime novels featuring detective James Pibble earned critical praise, while his fiction for children established him as one of Britain's most distinguished authors in the field. Over the course of his career he produced nearly fifty books that combined historical imagination, fantasy, and thoughtful reflections on human behavior. He achieved rare distinction by winning the Carnegie Medal twice, for Tulku and City of Gold, recognition that placed him among the most celebrated children's writers in Britain. Dickinson also received numerous other literary honors and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. In addition to fiction, he wrote poetry and essays, and his work continued to influence generations of readers and writers in the field of children's literature.

Reviews

[Moira]

As weirdly mesmerizing as the other Pibbles I've read so far. Dickinson has the real, odd gift of making me read straight through in a day about almost entirely unsympathetic people in very puzzling environments. He doesn't coddle his reader at all, but he won't lie or trick you, either; he plainly, coolly plants two ENORMOUS clues near the beginning, and when they're recalled nearly a hundred pages later, I swore out loud and flipped back, sure I hadn't missed them -- but I had. He reminds me a little of Christie, except he's deliberately iconoclastic where she's more conservative. Parts of this book must have seemed much more daring in the late sixties, barely two decades after WWII. His people are nearly all cardboard but somehow vivid, Pibble is a complete schlub but somehow it's pleasure watching him doggedly tease everything out, and Dickinson's prose style is amazing -- poetic but concise, stripped bare but never ostentatiously simple. I've heard friends say they find Dickinson off-putting, and I think part of it is in how nearly everyone is lying and trying to conceal their motives, which of course fits well into the typical mystery plot. But there's a sort of cold rock-bottom callousness about human nature -- as Ginsberg wrote of Junky, "the stoic cold-humor'd eye on crime."

[Toby · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first Jimmy Pibble mystery focussed on a Guinean pygmy tribe transplanted to a terraced house in London, this second outing follows an even more alien group of people, the English Upper Class. Dickinson skewers the inbred insanity of those born to wealth in the early part of the 20th century England and the way they adapt to post WWII life with insightful wit and a sort of poetic beauty and affection. They may be absolutely bonkers but at least they're somewhat on our side he seems to be saying. There's a suicide and then there's a missing Admiral and there's wild man eating lions on the grounds and coach loads of American tourists stumbling about and it's all so frightfully bizarre that for one moment I actually considered that Dickinson had written a story with a missing Admiral able to transform in to a lion as its central conceit. I did describe the protagonist as a British Fox Mulder after reading the first Pibble outing afterall. Pibble himself is an interesting character, self-deprecating yet determined and insightful, once more able to close the case within the day thanks to his ingenuity and his policeman's brain. These are fun reads, not exactly cozy and not a straightforward whodunnit either, they're quite unique all round really.

[Gretchen Rubin]

More Peter Dickinson. More, more, more! This is one of his adult books. So far, I like the children's books better.

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Pibble's POV and I appreciate the way the series mingles the absurd with the grim. But I don't think the ratio is quite right for me. (I'll probably keep on, though. Jimmy should get to retire.)

[William Leight · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason, Peter Dickinson is not widely recognized as the great mystery writer -- and really good writer -- that he is. His books can be loosely categorized as noirs, but at their best they expand the definition of noir and push at the borders of the mystery genre itself. There's a crime (or multiple crimes) and a solution, but many of his best novels don't have anyone who could really be described as a detective, and the crime being investigated sometimes took place long ago. In classic noir fashion, rather than have the mystery hang on the personal affairs of a small group of characters, a la Agatha Christie, there is almost always a connection to the larger society, but Dickinson goes beyond someone like Raymond Chandler, who limited his purview to one city or region, by drawing his connections to one or another aspect of English society as a whole. Seemingly paradoxically, this larger focus on the plot also allows for a much sharper focus on the individual characters, who are never mere stereotypes. And Dickinson is as handy with a clue or a red herring as any of the masters of detective fiction's golden age.

"The Old English Peep Show" (or "A Pride of Heroes") is one of Dickinson's series of Jimmy Pibble detective stories, his first mysteries. Pibble is certainly no Great Detective, but he's smart enough, and has lasted long enough, to have become a fairly high-ranking policeman. As such, he has a healthy cynicism about the police: he is always acutely aware that class, money, and reputation can have as much or more impact on the outcome of a case as his investigations and deductions, especially when dealing with a case involving two patrician heroes of the Second World War and one of Britian's most popular (fictional) tourist attractions. Pibble is also no athlete: a slightly overweight man in late middle age, his occasional forays into (defensive) violence are generally desperate and amateurish (and this being an English book, the only guns fired are either WWII vintage or fake 19th-century dueling pistols deliberately fixed to not shoot straight). His mystery-solving skill lies mainly in a combination of doggedness and experience (leavened with a healthy helping of skepticism), one that leads him in the right direction eventually. The other characters and their relationships are expertly sketched, and Dickinson also elucidates the way that the not-always-positive legacy of WWII, entrenched class prejudices, media and celebrity culture, and a simple desire for money combine to create the circumstances in which the crime could be committed. And the mystery mechanics are almost impeccable, with every clue meaning something and every solution getting a bit closer to the truth while still leaving something to be revealed. The only flaw is that the ending is a bit overly dependent on a deux ex machina sort of savior appearing more or less out of nowhere. Nonetheless, this is one of the better Pibble mysteries, which makes it one of the better mysteries you're likely to read.

[Ronald Wilcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a mish-mash to read but overall a good book. Pibble is an interesting bumbling policeman.

[Ralph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich people are weird in many ways, and the British cultivate eccentricity like boys cultivate mushrooms down in the basement, so if you're a rich Brit...well, you can pick your nose in public, swagger about like a blustering brigadier, and keep a pride of lions at your estate in an enclosure that looks like a Chinese temple and on one really thinks it out of the ordinary. Such is the madhouse that Inspector Pibble of Scotland Yard falls into when he comes to investigate what may or may not be (but probably is) a suicide. He becomes wary when everybody acts like they have something to hide and are reticent about answering questions, but his suspicions kick into high gear when a retired general is discovered impersonating a retired admiral (brothers), and that the missing brother vanished the day of the supposed suicide; and then he finds a clip from a pair of braces (suspenders) in the lion poo. One can hardly blame Inspector Pibble for getting testy at times, having to deal with this motley (but rich) crew. American readers might find the narrative a bit of a tough go, as it is heavily sunk into British culture, syntax and pacing; it's often hard to figure out what's on Pibble's mind since the author only shares about half his mindset and expects the reader to figure out what should be obvious. Even so, it is a pleasurable read and will surely please both mystery fans and anglophiles.

[Tim Poston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very different from the first Peter Dickinson I just read, One Foot in the Grave, though the same detective: just as fine.

A sample . . . comparing lions to Royal Navy officers (both elements of the story), a general says "All lions are a bit loopy, you know: comes of being the strongest animals around, like Captains R.N. _They_ go out on those shapeless grey seas in their little tin ships, nobody of their own rank to talk to, so they go potty, start believing they're the ten lost tribes, learn Tamil, think they're going to retire and make money out of dairy farming, that sort of thing. Lions are the same—dangerous clowns."

It's only out of laziness that I haven't learned Tamil, but I don't fantasise dairy farming . . .

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another elegant, twisty Dickinson, with his everyman detective Jimmy Pibbles amongst the highest and maddest of British aristocracy, sent from London to investigate a suicide which could very well be handled in the village. The grand country house has been turned into Old England and features a lion game park as an added attraction to earn the upkeep for the estate, whcih belongs to the fabulously eccentric Claverings. Things seem slightly off and get more and more so as Pibbles delves into a complicated set of events with a satisfying outcome. Loved it.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: detective Jimmy Pibble looks into a suicide which could have been murder at the Clavering's manor. Something's wrong here.

[Bev · Rating 1 out of 5]

Old England or the Peep Show as it's known locally, is Disney-style theme park set at a graceful country house. The servants greet visitors with a bob and curtsy, the butler makes everyone think of Jeeves, and the eccentric owners keep pet lions. There are daily duels and "live" hangings for the more blood-thirsty thrill-seekers. Everything's running according plan...until Sir Richard Clavering's manservant hangs himself. But why would the loyal and faithful Arthur Deakin hang himself in his pantry? And why didn't he leave a note? Oh...and why does Mr. Harvey Singleton (Clavering's son-in-law) insist that he heard a thud and then a drumming sound at the time of the death?

Scotland Yard superintendent James Pibble is sent to deal with the incident and he has to wonder why the local police didn't take care of a supposedly simple suicide. He soon learns that life at Herryngs (the estate in question) is anything but ordinary. Sir Richard and his brother Sir Ralph, retired admiral and general respectively, are war heroes who have gone from charmingly eccentric to downright certifiable. A disappearance and an encounter with a man-eating lion make Pibble understand that danger lurks behind the theme-park façade. And if he's not careful he may wind up next on the killer's list.

I have an on-again, off-again relationship with Peter Dickinson. The very first one I ever read caused me to merely list him in my "books to be found" spreadsheet with a notation of "NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I don't know what it was, except that it was a mystery. I don't have the title logged. I sortof suspect it may have been this one, though I haven't had quite that violent a reaction upon reading it this time (if, indeed, this was the title in question). I just find the whole thing very weird--from the behavior of the family to the behavior of our detective. I don't understand why Jimmy Pibble, an officer of the law, is willing to try so hard to ignore the signs that Deakin's death was not a suicide. He spends about three pages telling himself he's being conned, listing things that don't fit, and then choosing to say that they don't mean much and, by golly, it sure is a suicide after all. "O.K., he was going quietly. But let them stretch his conscience one notch further and the lion would feel the talons of the vulture, blunt, bourgeouis talons though they were." So, I guess he's willing to believe eight impossible things before breakfast...just don't make it nine. I, personally, stopped believing after the first two...and promptly skimmed my way through this thing just so I can count it towards challenges. But, honestly, Pibble and his investigation did very little for me here. I liked him a heck of a lot better in One Foot in the Grave.

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.

[Kelvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 1969 book written by English author Peter Dickerson. The book is called A Pride of Heroes when published in England and is called Old English Peep Show when published in America. It is the second book in the Detective Superintendent James Pibble series and won the CWA Gold Dagger Award in 1969. I am quite disappointed in the book. The plot is quite unique. However, I feel Dickerson’s writing to be long winded and tiresome sometimes.

The story is about how two World War II war heroes (retired General Ralph Clavering and his younger brother retired Admiral Richard Clavering) who, together with some former members of their units and spearheaded by Sir Ralph’s son-in law Harvey Singleton, transformed the old family estate (called Herryngs) into a English version of Disneyland they called Old England or the Peep Show, a medieval theme park with a turn of the century theme filled with lions, jousting events, pistol duel and hangings. Harvey has managed to make Herrynys into a national tourist attraction. Twenty-five years have passed since the brothers made history in WWII, but their fame persists, and a lot of American tourists came. The story started when one of the Admiral’s personal servant Deakin was found to have hanged himself. Detective Superintendent James Pibble from Scotland Yard was called in to confirm it is a suicide. What Pibble thought was a routine suicide case turned deadly when Pibble unmasked a complicated multi-murderer and Pibble almost lost his own life. It turns out Harvey Singleton, who is the brain behind turning Herryngs into a successful business enterprise, got tired of the older generations and their way of living and want to takeover the business and run it his way. When the two elderly brothers both fell for a newly hired beautiful young secretary Judith Scoplow, the two decided to fight a pistol duel at night when they were both drunk. Harvey rigged the duel and shot the Admiral himself but led the General to believe that the General had killed his brother in the duel. Harvey and the General then fed the dead body of the Admiral to a man-eating lion in a lion pit. After that, Harvey grounded the bones with a bone meal machine and destroyed the evidence When Deakin got suspicious. Harvey murdered Deakin and made it look like he had committed suicide. Harvey then tricked the General and get him mauled by a lion living in the park. Pibble almost followed the path of Deakin but got a lucky escape and he was able to bring Harvey to justice.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

A man has hanged himself t an estate owned by the Clavering brothers. They are both retired from the military and are running an amusement park of sorts with lives animals and a sideshow.

Once Superintendent James Pibble arrives on the scene, he determines that it was not a suicide, but murder. The investigation commences.

This one is not as engaging as the first in the series. The story seemed as though it were forced and the many, many asides were distracting. Too much navel gazing?

Peter Dickinson was a fine writer. Even though these stories were originally written in 1960’s, they seem timeless to me. These books are well written, although the plotting kind of loses track once in a while. Commander James Pibble is a keenly observant witness to human behavior. He picks up on minute clues in body language. I don’t know how I have missed reading him before and will continue to read him.

I want to thank Netgalley and Open Road Integrated Media for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read.

[Sydney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second James Pibble included in the three-volume set. (It's the middle one.) Like Glass-Sided Ant's Nest, I remembered reading it many years ago. But in this case I remembered not liking it. Guess what? I didn't like it so much this time, either. The physical aspects of Pibble saving the day were unrealistic to me, and the whole "Peep Show" setting was, well, silly. It's good to re-read books you remember not liking. You can change your mind, or you can see that you do have some literary judgment!

[Cosmogyral (Gav) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really chilling and well-structured. Dickinson assumed a lot of intelligence from his reader, which is wonderful. Both the two Pibble mysteries I've read so far deal heavily with challenging social mores and prejudices of the late 60s, which has lead me down interesting avenues looking up references I didn't know. Really grabby mix of being unmistakably vintage and fresher than some new releases.

[Imlac · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little too complicated, and Dickinson doesn't spell everything out, but this is a superb mystery. The characterizations are sharp and realistic, the plot well-managed, the writing superb. I really can't think of a better writer of this kind of mystery than Dickinson. I'm glad there are 4 more Pibble books to go, and some other stand-alone mysteries.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Jimmy Pibble is sent to investigate a death at a very Merry Old England theme park. While telling himself he could just look the other way and make things easier for himself doesn't. This is intelligent, imaginative writing with wry humor And wit throughout. Published 1969, UK

[Jorn Barger · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did the lions make sense as part of the tourist attraction?

Did the early military-history subplot explain anything?

Was everyone as shocked as me that a tourist subdued a villain by bonking him on the head?

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early, amusing Brit mystery with a very different plot. Had to look up a lot of words. May read others if time.

[Regine]

Extravagant.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. So much depth for a short English mystery.

[Jo Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful story!

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eccentric and complicated. I did like the intuitive police investigator.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A satire of the English upper class with all of their foibles.

[Kathryn McCary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pibble mysteries were Dickinson's first books for adults. Rereading them I am struck by how they serve almost as an overture for the other books, raising themes that get visited again and again. This one offers the quandary of the stately home, and particularly the stately home as amusement venue. It also offers the woman who, even though not necessarily a beauty queen, is nonetheless so powerfully attractive as to make grown men act like idiots. But they don't pose quite the moral and philosophical issues that come up in the non-Pibble books.

And--the story is good, the solution perhaps unsurprising but nonetheless startling. A fun read.

[Robin Helweg-Larsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clear-thinking but unimpressive "lower-middle" class London detective is sent to look into an apparent suicide in a massive ancestral estate that has been largely turned into a theme park by its upper-class inhabitants. Written in the 1960's but - like much of Dickinson's work - more redolent of the 1950's - it has a complicated and meticulously thought out plot that contains a growing sense of threat... helped along by the lions roaming various parts of the grounds.

Clear-thinking... but unimpressive.

[Gail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Inspector Pibble is caught up in a slightly amusing predicament: there's been an apparent suicide at England's version of Colonial Williamsburg. His assignment is to certify it as a suicide and let the very upper-crust family get back to business. As is the case in mysteries, all is not as it seems.

This convoluted tale isn't nearly as good as I expected. The characters are stock types and poorly developed. The plot resolution is scarcely believable. A disappointment from this author.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um, I'm feeling like such an old lady because I actually had to skim through the parts where the police inspector faces the lions that this eccentric English family keeps as curiosities on the grounds of their "Old England" theme park.

But Peter Dickinson is a great writer and he actually uses those words I memorized for the GRE. A great twist in this book near the beginning sets the stage for some gentle tension--gentle for everyone except me, I guess.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little disappointed in this--a mystery set at an English living history site. Had high hopes that it would highlight the quirkiness of museums, and it didn't. And I couldn't really keep track of the characters. But that might be my own problem. it was okay--worth reading if you're a fan of odd British detectives, but not if you're looking for a "murder in the museum" book.

[Spednic · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found it rather difficult to read due to the accents of the affected British Society and the provincial members of the staff in their country estate, who were putting on a act for tourists in the manner of a Disneyland.