The Rich Detective

by H.R.F. Keating

In the middle of a difficult investigation of a powerful antiques dealer accused of duping elderly women, Detective Inspector Sylvester wins the lottery, resigns from the force, and obsessively pursues the suspect on his own.

Genres: Mystery

248 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Henry Reymond Fitzwalter Keating was an English writer of crime fiction most notable for his series of novels featuring Inspector Ghote of the Bombay CID.

H. R. F. KEATING was well versed in the worlds of crime, fiction and nonfiction. He was the crime books reviewer for The Times for fifteen years, as well as serving as the chairman of the Crime Writers Association and the Society of Authors. He won the CWA Gold Dagger Award twice, and in 1996 was awarded the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger for outstanding service to crime fiction.

Series:
. Inspector Ghote
. Harriet Martens

Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Perfectly Criminal

Reviews

[Fanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF-ed at 56%

Nope, not happening. I like whodinut mysteries and this wasn't one, so that drew me out right at the start. The rest of the story, apart from the revelation because that had been done at the opening itself, revolves around the detective and how he connects dots. Nah, not interested because the writing was so slow and repetitive, it was legit tiresome to read. Won't say too much about it since I didn't even finish it.

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book via Netgalley but that in no way influences my rating and/or opinions about it. Thank you Ipso Books!

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[Lana Kamennof-sine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not often you read a book where the detective wins a million, is convinced of the identity of the murderer of seniors shortly after their wills have been changed, but who without sufficient concrete evidence cannot let go of the case.
In this instance he quits the Force & he proceeds on his own. Well, with the aid of various individuals he's arrested in the past, family, etc.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Detective Bill Sylvestor is not brilliant but he is persistent... even after he's been told to leave a case alone he just can't do it. Once he wins the lottery he decides to quite his job and pursue the case on his own.

I just didn't care for this one. There really wasn't much in the way of mystery or suspense. The writing style features a lot of short, choppy sentences that seem to start midway through a thought and end abruptly. It made it hard to get into the story. I struggled to finish.

***I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Shihab Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

i mean its a pretty good little novel for what it is. I’d be lying if I said the ending wasn’t a little predictable. also, the level of maturity doesn’t match the level of complexity in the story - too much vulgarity and too little plot density. still, a good read for what it is

[Joanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought Bribery Corruption Also was interesting because of its setting in India, and wondered what Keating would do in this new series set in England. This detective is plodding (not in a charming way) and though he's supposed to be a highly upstanding policeman whose entire identity is defined by his obsessive law-abidingness, his only friend and confidante is his prostitute, which just doesn't make sense to me. None of his colleague-enemies would have noticed this?

Wearisome.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really enjoy this book. I like the Inspector Ghote books and some of his other books, so I was expecting a lot from this one. But it was a disappointment.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun easy read.
Nice twist.