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Flaxborough Chronicles #8
Six Nuns and a Shotgun
Dust jacket has slight edge wear. Same day shipping.
186 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1975
About the author
Colin Watson
64 books29 followersColin Watson was educated at the Whitgift School in South Croydon, London. During his career as a journalist he worked in London and Newcastle-on-Tyne, where he was a leader-writer for Kemsley Newspapers.
His book Hopjoy Was Here (1962) received the Silver Dagger Award. He was married, with three children, and lived in Lincolnshire. After retiring from journalism he designed silver jewellery.
As well as a series of humorous detective novels set in the imaginary town of Flaxborough, featuring Inspector Purbright, Watson also wrote and later revised a study of detective stories and thrillers called Snobbery with Violence.
His book Hopjoy Was Here (1962) received the Silver Dagger Award. He was married, with three children, and lived in Lincolnshire. After retiring from journalism he designed silver jewellery.
As well as a series of humorous detective novels set in the imaginary town of Flaxborough, featuring Inspector Purbright, Watson also wrote and later revised a study of detective stories and thrillers called Snobbery with Violence.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 30, 2018
These British police procedurals from the 70s being republished by Farrago Books UK are hilarious! In this outing, the eighth in the series, Flaxborough businessman Arnie Hatch is getting himself in trouble on several fronts.
First a cryptic cablegram to his business is intercepted by a nosey employee who believes it might be referring to white slave traffic and reports it to local police.
Then a romp in Hatch's bedroom involving hired girls and another paying businessman is witnessed in all its naked glory by a neighbor walking her dog when automatic curtains open and the action is spotlighted by a conveniently-stopped car's brilliant headlights. This too is reported to the police by the shocked neighbor.
Then Hatch and Councillor Crispin have a impromptu boat race on the river to prove whose is faster (and bigger)...with disastrous results.
And finally, local police are contacted by NY police who believe a hit man in enroute to Flaxborough with a contract to kill a local businessman...can they identify the hit man and his intended victim before it's too late??
Really funny stuff. Once again, I really enjoyed Colin Watson's descriptive writing style. Here is Hatch's impression of Inspector Purbright while he is being interviewed by the policeman:
"A long-legged, easy-going fellow who probably had never scraped more than fifty quid into one pile in his life. Likable enough, perhaps, but no drive. With that funny flax-colored hair, he looked like some big Viking who'd missed the boat home and gone soft."
I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to read these old mysteries featuring Inspector Purbright and his sidekick, Sergeant Love. Watson nails human nature in a most amusing way and gives the reader a look at British life of that 70s era. Very enjoyable, quick reads. I was able to guess 'whodunit' in this case but not the motive.
Thank you to Farrago Books and NetGalley for giving me access to the series for my honest opinion.
First a cryptic cablegram to his business is intercepted by a nosey employee who believes it might be referring to white slave traffic and reports it to local police.
Then a romp in Hatch's bedroom involving hired girls and another paying businessman is witnessed in all its naked glory by a neighbor walking her dog when automatic curtains open and the action is spotlighted by a conveniently-stopped car's brilliant headlights. This too is reported to the police by the shocked neighbor.
Then Hatch and Councillor Crispin have a impromptu boat race on the river to prove whose is faster (and bigger)...with disastrous results.
And finally, local police are contacted by NY police who believe a hit man in enroute to Flaxborough with a contract to kill a local businessman...can they identify the hit man and his intended victim before it's too late??
Really funny stuff. Once again, I really enjoyed Colin Watson's descriptive writing style. Here is Hatch's impression of Inspector Purbright while he is being interviewed by the policeman:
"A long-legged, easy-going fellow who probably had never scraped more than fifty quid into one pile in his life. Likable enough, perhaps, but no drive. With that funny flax-colored hair, he looked like some big Viking who'd missed the boat home and gone soft."
I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to read these old mysteries featuring Inspector Purbright and his sidekick, Sergeant Love. Watson nails human nature in a most amusing way and gives the reader a look at British life of that 70s era. Very enjoyable, quick reads. I was able to guess 'whodunit' in this case but not the motive.
Thank you to Farrago Books and NetGalley for giving me access to the series for my honest opinion.
May 30, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Farrago for an advance copy of The Naked Nuns, the eighth novel in the Flaxborough Chronicles series of police procedurals, originally published in 1974.
Yet again life in Flaxborough is far from dull. A feud between local businessmen Harry Crispin and Arnold Hatch results in imaginative revenge and where does the telegram from America mentioning naked nuns fit in? Is it white slavery as Ms Ryland suspects or something else? Then there is a murder.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Naked Nuns which is, in my opinion, the best novel in the series so far. It had me crying with laughter and baffled by the whodunnit aspect. The whole novel is delicious. Mr Watson sets the scene wonderfully with the mysterious telegram and the funniest description of middle class pretension I have ever read, with a group of local dignitaries waiting in Mrs Hatch's bedroom for an event. My mind was running wild with possibilities but I would never have imagined the irony of what it was although it was distracted by the deadly humour of the bedroom fittings which sum up the aspirations of the 70s to a T. Masterful.
Inspector Purbright is getting smarter as the series progresses. In this novel he sees clearly and quickly gets to the nub of the matter. His handling of rather dim Chief Constable Chubb is clever and again very amusing. The ambiguous Ms Lucilla Teatime makes another timely appearance and her interactions with Inspector Purbright are another source of amusement as they're all veiled hints and inferences. The solution is outrageous and highly amusing. I applaud Mr Watson's ingenuity in creating such a comedy of manners from a relatively simple concept.
The Naked Nuns is an excellent read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Yet again life in Flaxborough is far from dull. A feud between local businessmen Harry Crispin and Arnold Hatch results in imaginative revenge and where does the telegram from America mentioning naked nuns fit in? Is it white slavery as Ms Ryland suspects or something else? Then there is a murder.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Naked Nuns which is, in my opinion, the best novel in the series so far. It had me crying with laughter and baffled by the whodunnit aspect. The whole novel is delicious. Mr Watson sets the scene wonderfully with the mysterious telegram and the funniest description of middle class pretension I have ever read, with a group of local dignitaries waiting in Mrs Hatch's bedroom for an event. My mind was running wild with possibilities but I would never have imagined the irony of what it was although it was distracted by the deadly humour of the bedroom fittings which sum up the aspirations of the 70s to a T. Masterful.
Inspector Purbright is getting smarter as the series progresses. In this novel he sees clearly and quickly gets to the nub of the matter. His handling of rather dim Chief Constable Chubb is clever and again very amusing. The ambiguous Ms Lucilla Teatime makes another timely appearance and her interactions with Inspector Purbright are another source of amusement as they're all veiled hints and inferences. The solution is outrageous and highly amusing. I applaud Mr Watson's ingenuity in creating such a comedy of manners from a relatively simple concept.
The Naked Nuns is an excellent read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
May 17, 2023
Grand fun joining the Inspector to discover why the nuns would be 'naked'.
May 9, 2025
In the eighth book of the Flaxborough series, it looks like the English town is about to be overrun by US gangsters and scantily clad ecclesiastics. Flaxborough has its "big wheels" (as known in the United States)--businessmen with their fingers in several pies. And two of them have a bitter rivalry going on. Councillor Henry Crispin and Arnold Hatch, owner of the Floradora Club have been trying to outdo and sabotage each other every chance they get. If Crispin adds on to his house, then Hatch must build a swimming pool. If Hatch gets a sailing yacht, then Crispin must get a slightly bigger one. Snide remarks and subtle digs aren't in it. But then things ramp up. Hatch installs what we designate today as "smart" curtains. When the light dims outside, the curtains automatically close--and, of course, when things get bright, they automatically open.
So...one night when Hatch and a friend are entertaining a couple of young women in the master bedroom, some thoughtless person parks right outside and turns on their high-beam headlights. And the antics are on display for all the world to see. Not long after, during the Commodore's Muster, the annual opening of the boating season when all the boat owners sedately run their vessels down the river, Hatch goads Crispin into a bit of a race and Crispin's boat comes a cropper on a submerged log (that mysteriously has spikes sticking out of it--of which, we the reader are aware, but is never proven to our friends in the book).
When Inspector Purbright gets a warning that American gangsters and naked nuns are descending upon Flaxborough, he wonders if this is more of the feud between the two businessmen. But he can't find any evidence of nuns (either in habits or out) and the only likely candidate in the gangster department is a Sicilian-American importer of olive oil who has recently arrived. The feud comes to an abrupt end when Hatch is ruthlessly murdered with his own shotgun during his annual Medieval banquet at the Floradora Club. The good inspector must untangle the clues to see if the American or Crispin...or persons unknown have done away with businessman.
Once upon a time (back in about 1991), I read this one from the library. That was before blogging and writing up more detailed reviews. I simply recorded it as "This book is classic Colin Watson and very funny." Let's see how that holds up in 2025. Well, Watson is funny...but I think I'd knock the "very" off that statement now. The funniest bits are when Inspector Purbright is interacting with his Chief Constable, Harcourt Chubb. Chubb doesn't really seem to grasp police work and Purbright leads him ever so gently through the details of routine while Chubb tries to sit back and look wise. The give and take of these exchanges are quite amusing, but I wouldn't say the book is "very funny" overall.
The prose is pleasant enough and the mystery is fairly good--and even fairly clued, though I didn't spot some of the clues early enough (SLIGHT SPOILER: I got a bit muddled over which pieces of furniture belonged to which character). I think at this point in my reading life I would have enjoyed this a bit more (and kept my original rating of four stars) if we had been in Purbright's company for more of the story. Crispin and Hatch annoyed me and I think I would have liked the murder to be more upfront and to have followed Purbright as he investigated the incidents rather than to live through them with Crispin and Hatch on the way to the murder. But--still an enjoyable mystery and a very quick read. ★★★ and 1/4.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
So...one night when Hatch and a friend are entertaining a couple of young women in the master bedroom, some thoughtless person parks right outside and turns on their high-beam headlights. And the antics are on display for all the world to see. Not long after, during the Commodore's Muster, the annual opening of the boating season when all the boat owners sedately run their vessels down the river, Hatch goads Crispin into a bit of a race and Crispin's boat comes a cropper on a submerged log (that mysteriously has spikes sticking out of it--of which, we the reader are aware, but is never proven to our friends in the book).
When Inspector Purbright gets a warning that American gangsters and naked nuns are descending upon Flaxborough, he wonders if this is more of the feud between the two businessmen. But he can't find any evidence of nuns (either in habits or out) and the only likely candidate in the gangster department is a Sicilian-American importer of olive oil who has recently arrived. The feud comes to an abrupt end when Hatch is ruthlessly murdered with his own shotgun during his annual Medieval banquet at the Floradora Club. The good inspector must untangle the clues to see if the American or Crispin...or persons unknown have done away with businessman.
Once upon a time (back in about 1991), I read this one from the library. That was before blogging and writing up more detailed reviews. I simply recorded it as "This book is classic Colin Watson and very funny." Let's see how that holds up in 2025. Well, Watson is funny...but I think I'd knock the "very" off that statement now. The funniest bits are when Inspector Purbright is interacting with his Chief Constable, Harcourt Chubb. Chubb doesn't really seem to grasp police work and Purbright leads him ever so gently through the details of routine while Chubb tries to sit back and look wise. The give and take of these exchanges are quite amusing, but I wouldn't say the book is "very funny" overall.
The prose is pleasant enough and the mystery is fairly good--and even fairly clued, though I didn't spot some of the clues early enough (SLIGHT SPOILER: I got a bit muddled over which pieces of furniture belonged to which character). I think at this point in my reading life I would have enjoyed this a bit more (and kept my original rating of four stars) if we had been in Purbright's company for more of the story. Crispin and Hatch annoyed me and I think I would have liked the murder to be more upfront and to have followed Purbright as he investigated the incidents rather than to live through them with Crispin and Hatch on the way to the murder. But--still an enjoyable mystery and a very quick read. ★★★ and 1/4.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
May 27, 2018
The Naked Nuns is another excellently written, very enjoyable Flaxborough mystery – the eighth in the series. As always, the mystery is well done and quite quirky, but the chief pleasure is Colin Watson's dry, witty and beautifully written take on his characters and the milieu they inhabit.
This time, there's a feud between two prosperous local businessmen, some dodgy goings-on at the club owned by one of them and anonymous letters from the USA warning of an impending "hit" in Flaxborough. Watson has a lot of fun skewering the absurd use of language by Management Consultants, the shallow fakery around "mediaeval-themed" events and so on, plus some amusing involvement by American gangsters and the now traditional cameo appearance by the magnificent Miss Lucilla Teatime. Eventually, after some engineered mayhem during a "Mediaeval Banquet" at the club, a body turns up and the redoubtable Purbright and Love work on the case.
It's classic Flaxborough. Although perhaps not one of Watson's very best, it's readable, involving and hugely entertaining. Personally, I'd recommend beginning at the start of this series with Coffin, Scarcely Used and reading them in order, but this will work as a one-off, too. Whichever you choose, this is warmly recommended.
(My thanks to Farrago for an ARC via NetGalley.)
This time, there's a feud between two prosperous local businessmen, some dodgy goings-on at the club owned by one of them and anonymous letters from the USA warning of an impending "hit" in Flaxborough. Watson has a lot of fun skewering the absurd use of language by Management Consultants, the shallow fakery around "mediaeval-themed" events and so on, plus some amusing involvement by American gangsters and the now traditional cameo appearance by the magnificent Miss Lucilla Teatime. Eventually, after some engineered mayhem during a "Mediaeval Banquet" at the club, a body turns up and the redoubtable Purbright and Love work on the case.
It's classic Flaxborough. Although perhaps not one of Watson's very best, it's readable, involving and hugely entertaining. Personally, I'd recommend beginning at the start of this series with Coffin, Scarcely Used and reading them in order, but this will work as a one-off, too. Whichever you choose, this is warmly recommended.
(My thanks to Farrago for an ARC via NetGalley.)
March 16, 2021
Another brilliant example of the wonderful wit and exceptional English prose of Colin Watson. The ever likeable Inspector Purbright, the vague Chief Constable, Mr Harcourt Chubb and the delightfully crooked Miss Lucilla Teatime all combine to delight the reader. I have been re-reading all the Flaxborough Chronicles in chronological order and although the plots are a bit farcical I cannot recommend them highly enough.
March 15, 2014
A story of strange going events in a English town that end in murder.
This is an odd book, the first half aims at comedy (at least I thought it was trying to) and the ending is to do with murder / fraud.
I rated it 3 star but it was really 2.5.
This is an odd book, the first half aims at comedy (at least I thought it was trying to) and the ending is to do with murder / fraud.
I rated it 3 star but it was really 2.5.
May 29, 2018
More trouble for Flaxborough in the 8th book in the series.
A contentious boat race leads 2 of the town's leaders almost to blows. Nighttime escapades show the naked frolicking of a town leader, his friend, and two working girls to the neighbors. A mysterious note from the states promises "naked nuns" and a paid "hit". An old friend of the series welcomes an "olive oil importer" to town. Eventually, a brutal murder occurs. What is happening in this quiet British town?
The town characters are well-utilized in the Naked Nuns for those already familiar with the series. However, for newbies, this is not the place to start. One character shown is the answer to a previous book's mystery-ruining the ending for anyone reading this first. There are many characters introduced in the first few chapters that will be confusing for newcomers. The trademark dark humor is not as obvious as in previous books. The murder occurs near the end. Overall, not one of the best books in the series. 3 stars!
Thanks to the publisher, Farrago Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
A contentious boat race leads 2 of the town's leaders almost to blows. Nighttime escapades show the naked frolicking of a town leader, his friend, and two working girls to the neighbors. A mysterious note from the states promises "naked nuns" and a paid "hit". An old friend of the series welcomes an "olive oil importer" to town. Eventually, a brutal murder occurs. What is happening in this quiet British town?
The town characters are well-utilized in the Naked Nuns for those already familiar with the series. However, for newbies, this is not the place to start. One character shown is the answer to a previous book's mystery-ruining the ending for anyone reading this first. There are many characters introduced in the first few chapters that will be confusing for newcomers. The trademark dark humor is not as obvious as in previous books. The murder occurs near the end. Overall, not one of the best books in the series. 3 stars!
Thanks to the publisher, Farrago Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
May 17, 2018
Beware! There are no naked nuns in Flaxborough! And the title is not the only example of misdirection.
The Mafia hits town in the person of one Joe Tudor but this being Colin Wilson you know that all will not be simple. There is a lot of mayhem and “goings-on”… and one very violent crime.
Inspector Purbright, with a little help from an eagle-eyed constable, solves the murder of yet another resident. The victim, a nouveau-riche businessman, has been involved in long-running rivalry with a local councillor, their personal feud fuelled by one-upmanship.
There are hilarious scenes in which gadgetry goes wrong and a medieval banquet is invaded by “Vikings”. There is some fun at the expense of business efficiency experts.
This is well-written and effective satire on the manners and morals of small-town England in the 1970’s.
Thank you to NetGalley and Farrago (Prelude Books Ltd.) for the digital review copy.
The Mafia hits town in the person of one Joe Tudor but this being Colin Wilson you know that all will not be simple. There is a lot of mayhem and “goings-on”… and one very violent crime.
Inspector Purbright, with a little help from an eagle-eyed constable, solves the murder of yet another resident. The victim, a nouveau-riche businessman, has been involved in long-running rivalry with a local councillor, their personal feud fuelled by one-upmanship.
There are hilarious scenes in which gadgetry goes wrong and a medieval banquet is invaded by “Vikings”. There is some fun at the expense of business efficiency experts.
This is well-written and effective satire on the manners and morals of small-town England in the 1970’s.
Thank you to NetGalley and Farrago (Prelude Books Ltd.) for the digital review copy.
December 8, 2021
I thought I'd like this (fun title, probably a bit light-hearted but not too light-hearted (if a book cover has some combination of pinkness, food, pets, yarn, and a punny title, I know it's too far gone for me). I did not like this.
At halfway I stopped reading, because other than one brief moment (the end of the boat race) of enjoyment, the rest of the book was me waiting for it to become interesting and/or funny and/or compelling as a mystery. I gave up waiting after I hit 50% on my Kindle.
The characters don't behave like recognizable humans, which is sometimes a delightful choice if in the right hands and either pulled back a bit, or pushed particularly far, but here it was sort of an uncanny valley of non-naturalism. No murder by the 50% part, so the main incident seemed to be puposefully embarrassing someone by drawing their bedroom curtains open.
I suspect this book is intended for an audience that would indeed find it humorous (I did not), which would go a long way toward saving it. I can scarcely imagine what watching The Office would feel like if it weren't funny for you, but reading this book might be a bit like that. I imagine in the early 1970s this book might feel pleasantly naughty, but it no longer does.
(5* = amazing, terrific book, one of my all-time favourites, 4* = very good book, 3* = good book, but nothing to particularly rave about, 2* = disappointing book, and 1* = awful, just awful. As a statistician I know most books are 3s, but I am biased in my selection and end up mostly with 4s, thank goodness.)
At halfway I stopped reading, because other than one brief moment (the end of the boat race) of enjoyment, the rest of the book was me waiting for it to become interesting and/or funny and/or compelling as a mystery. I gave up waiting after I hit 50% on my Kindle.
The characters don't behave like recognizable humans, which is sometimes a delightful choice if in the right hands and either pulled back a bit, or pushed particularly far, but here it was sort of an uncanny valley of non-naturalism. No murder by the 50% part, so the main incident seemed to be puposefully embarrassing someone by drawing their bedroom curtains open.
I suspect this book is intended for an audience that would indeed find it humorous (I did not), which would go a long way toward saving it. I can scarcely imagine what watching The Office would feel like if it weren't funny for you, but reading this book might be a bit like that. I imagine in the early 1970s this book might feel pleasantly naughty, but it no longer does.
(5* = amazing, terrific book, one of my all-time favourites, 4* = very good book, 3* = good book, but nothing to particularly rave about, 2* = disappointing book, and 1* = awful, just awful. As a statistician I know most books are 3s, but I am biased in my selection and end up mostly with 4s, thank goodness.)
October 15, 2013
Laugh Out Loud Funny !!
The Flaxborough Novels:
1958 Coffin, Scarcely Used
1960 Bump in the Night
1962 Hopjoy Was Here
1967 Lonelyheart 4122
1968 Charity Ends at Home
1969 The Flaxborough Crab U.S: Just What the Doctor Ordered
1972 Broomsticks over Flaxborough U.S: Kissing Covens
1975 The Naked Nuns U.S: Six Nuns and a Shotgun
1977 One Man's Meat U.S: It Shouldn't Happen to a Dog
1979 Blue Murder
1980 Plaster Sinners
1982 Whatever's Been Going on at Mumblesby?
The Flaxborough Novels:
1958 Coffin, Scarcely Used
1960 Bump in the Night
1962 Hopjoy Was Here
1967 Lonelyheart 4122
1968 Charity Ends at Home
1969 The Flaxborough Crab U.S: Just What the Doctor Ordered
1972 Broomsticks over Flaxborough U.S: Kissing Covens
1975 The Naked Nuns U.S: Six Nuns and a Shotgun
1977 One Man's Meat U.S: It Shouldn't Happen to a Dog
1979 Blue Murder
1980 Plaster Sinners
1982 Whatever's Been Going on at Mumblesby?
January 2, 2011
Didn't make 40 pages; didn't even make 20.
Boring. Lewd. Dull.
Boring. Lewd. Dull.
June 12, 2018
When a concerned citizen comes to Detective Inspector Purbright with a cryptic letter that could imply almost anything, Purbright is stumped as to what is meant by the "naked nuns" about to arrive. Then the police in New York receive a letter that implies a crime is about to occur in the town of Flaxborough, England, they forward the letter onto them. DI Purbright tells Chief Constable Chubb that nothing can be done until they find the person who is going to commit the crime, and hopefully the victim also. Then Arnold Hatch receives a letter apparently written by the same person intimating that he will soon be the victim of this crime. When he takes it to Purbright, they now have the victim, but are unsure of who is going to commit the crime...
Miss Lucy Teatime, meanwhile, receives a visit from a brash American who claims that her distant relative said to look her up and ask for her help. He tells her only that a crime is going to be committed and he's trying to prevent it. While he doesn't say so, Miss Teatime is positive he is one of those "American gangsters," or at least was one at one time...
While Purbright and his policemen try and figure out what the cryptic letters mean, Henry Crispin is planning on getting even with Hatch for destroying his boat. On the night of one of Hatch's revelries at his Floradora Club, Crispin has designed a plan of revenge of his own, and he doesn't realize that it will mask a murder about to take place.
It is only when a matter of coincidence occurs in Purbright's presence that all will be made clear as to what everything means...
While this book does begin a little slow, it leads into a plan that takes time to form. The characters are introduced, and the red herrings begin. While Purbright is seeking nuns - naked or otherwise - that may have drifted into his town (for what else could the letters mean?) life goes on pretty much as it should, but with Hatch growing ever more impatient and angry as he believes his life may very well be at stake.
The clues are well hidden in this little mystery, which has been reissued from its original date yet still remains quite a gem. Anyone who has read the previous Flaxborough mysteries will recognize some of the characters from those books (they drift in and out) of which we have become fond. I do love to watch Purbright go through the motions, as it were - while his chief thinks he is unambitious, he may very well be so; but he is an intelligent man who is able to take the clues and put them together nicely.
This book is no different than any of the others I have read. I have become quite fond of DI Purbright and the others in this town; even Miss Teatime - whom I wouldn't trust any farther than I could see her - has grown on me.
When the ending comes and everything is put together it comes as a complete surprise. In fact, it is only a matter of a chance meeting that puts it all together for Purbright himself. A delightful ending to an engaging mystery. Recommended.
Miss Lucy Teatime, meanwhile, receives a visit from a brash American who claims that her distant relative said to look her up and ask for her help. He tells her only that a crime is going to be committed and he's trying to prevent it. While he doesn't say so, Miss Teatime is positive he is one of those "American gangsters," or at least was one at one time...
While Purbright and his policemen try and figure out what the cryptic letters mean, Henry Crispin is planning on getting even with Hatch for destroying his boat. On the night of one of Hatch's revelries at his Floradora Club, Crispin has designed a plan of revenge of his own, and he doesn't realize that it will mask a murder about to take place.
It is only when a matter of coincidence occurs in Purbright's presence that all will be made clear as to what everything means...
While this book does begin a little slow, it leads into a plan that takes time to form. The characters are introduced, and the red herrings begin. While Purbright is seeking nuns - naked or otherwise - that may have drifted into his town (for what else could the letters mean?) life goes on pretty much as it should, but with Hatch growing ever more impatient and angry as he believes his life may very well be at stake.
The clues are well hidden in this little mystery, which has been reissued from its original date yet still remains quite a gem. Anyone who has read the previous Flaxborough mysteries will recognize some of the characters from those books (they drift in and out) of which we have become fond. I do love to watch Purbright go through the motions, as it were - while his chief thinks he is unambitious, he may very well be so; but he is an intelligent man who is able to take the clues and put them together nicely.
This book is no different than any of the others I have read. I have become quite fond of DI Purbright and the others in this town; even Miss Teatime - whom I wouldn't trust any farther than I could see her - has grown on me.
When the ending comes and everything is put together it comes as a complete surprise. In fact, it is only a matter of a chance meeting that puts it all together for Purbright himself. A delightful ending to an engaging mystery. Recommended.
July 13, 2025
A Habit of Mediocrity: Watson's Flaxborough Mystery Lacks Divine Inspiration
Colin Watson's eighth entry in the Flaxborough Chronicles starts with promise but ultimately delivers a middling mystery that feels more concerned with clever wordplay than substantial storytelling. "TWO NAKED NUNS AVAILABLE PHILADELPHIA" is the strangest cable ever to come to Flaxborough, and while this telegraphic premise should set up an intriguing puzzle, Watson's execution leaves much to be desired.
The novel follows Inspector Purbright as he investigates the mysterious telegram that leads to discoveries of corruption and murder beneath Flaxborough's respectable facade. Watson's strength lies in his character work—the bumbling Chief Constable Chubb and the enigmatic Ms. Lucilla Teatime provide moments of genuine humor, and Purbright remains a steadily decent anchor amid the chaos. The author's gentle satirical touch works well when skewering provincial pretensions and the petty rivalries of small-town businessmen.
However, the mystery itself feels underdeveloped. The plot meanders through various subplots involving boat races, nighttime escapades, and business rivalries without building sufficient tension or momentum. The title is a bit catchpenny, as one reviewer noted, and this assessment rings true—the "naked nuns" conceit feels more like a marketing gimmick than an integral part of the story.
Watson's writing style, while competent, lacks the sharp wit of his contemporaries. The pacing drags in places, and the resolution, while supposedly clever, feels somewhat arbitrary rather than the inevitable conclusion of careful plotting. The novel works better as a cozy character study than as a compelling mystery, but even then, it doesn't quite reach the heights of the better entries in the series.
The Naked Nuns will satisfy completists of the Flaxborough Chronicles and readers who enjoy gentle British mysteries, but it's not the best entry point for newcomers to Watson's work. The book's modest charms are overshadowed by its structural weaknesses and lack of genuine suspense.
Colin Watson's eighth entry in the Flaxborough Chronicles starts with promise but ultimately delivers a middling mystery that feels more concerned with clever wordplay than substantial storytelling. "TWO NAKED NUNS AVAILABLE PHILADELPHIA" is the strangest cable ever to come to Flaxborough, and while this telegraphic premise should set up an intriguing puzzle, Watson's execution leaves much to be desired.
The novel follows Inspector Purbright as he investigates the mysterious telegram that leads to discoveries of corruption and murder beneath Flaxborough's respectable facade. Watson's strength lies in his character work—the bumbling Chief Constable Chubb and the enigmatic Ms. Lucilla Teatime provide moments of genuine humor, and Purbright remains a steadily decent anchor amid the chaos. The author's gentle satirical touch works well when skewering provincial pretensions and the petty rivalries of small-town businessmen.
However, the mystery itself feels underdeveloped. The plot meanders through various subplots involving boat races, nighttime escapades, and business rivalries without building sufficient tension or momentum. The title is a bit catchpenny, as one reviewer noted, and this assessment rings true—the "naked nuns" conceit feels more like a marketing gimmick than an integral part of the story.
Watson's writing style, while competent, lacks the sharp wit of his contemporaries. The pacing drags in places, and the resolution, while supposedly clever, feels somewhat arbitrary rather than the inevitable conclusion of careful plotting. The novel works better as a cozy character study than as a compelling mystery, but even then, it doesn't quite reach the heights of the better entries in the series.
The Naked Nuns will satisfy completists of the Flaxborough Chronicles and readers who enjoy gentle British mysteries, but it's not the best entry point for newcomers to Watson's work. The book's modest charms are overshadowed by its structural weaknesses and lack of genuine suspense.
May 29, 2018
This is another installment in the Flaxborough series by Colin Watson, and while the plot does not live up to past novels, the characters and the characters and the banter do not disappoint. This book may have something for everyone, but would have been better to edit some plot lines out and explore the remaining ones further. For instance, the businessman with shady dealings decides to hire the best efficiency experts he can find to run an analysis on his hotel/club/cathouse in the back business without a real explanation why, or without what I was really looking for, a glimpse at their final report! also the confusion over the phrase "naked nuns" is introduced early, really disappears for a while and is briefly explained in the denouement. But frankly, I don't read these for the plots. The witty dialogue is laugh-out-loud funny and the characters remain quirky, funny and I want to keep reading more of them.
If you're looking for an Agatha Christie type of murder mystery, look elsewhere. If you're looking for a fun quick read that will put a smile on your face, pick up this book or any Flaxborough mystery.
If you're looking for an Agatha Christie type of murder mystery, look elsewhere. If you're looking for a fun quick read that will put a smile on your face, pick up this book or any Flaxborough mystery.
July 21, 2018
Are there really nuns running around naked in Flaxborough? Suspicious, coded letters have been received by the police which point to a murder soon to be committed in Flaxborough. Word comes down to Inspector Purbright and he begins the thankless search for who the victim is to be. Meanwhile, a local businessman receives a threatening letter. He is offered protection but doesn’t seem to take the situation very seriously. Then there’s the suspicious character who turns up at Miss Teatime’s. A friend of a friend he claims to be, but when his dark past comes to light he is suspect #1. When it all comes to a head, all the answers will be revealed.
This is book 8 in the Flaxborough Mysteries series. I think this is my least favorite story so far. While the writing is classic Colin Watson, I found the story overall to be kind of messy and it felt like it could have been structured a little better. That being said, all my favorite characters are back: Inspector Purbright, Seargeant Love, Miss Teatime and Chief Constable Chubb. The secondary characters didn’t seem as compelling as in some of the other books. Overall, I found this one a little disappointing.
This is book 8 in the Flaxborough Mysteries series. I think this is my least favorite story so far. While the writing is classic Colin Watson, I found the story overall to be kind of messy and it felt like it could have been structured a little better. That being said, all my favorite characters are back: Inspector Purbright, Seargeant Love, Miss Teatime and Chief Constable Chubb. The secondary characters didn’t seem as compelling as in some of the other books. Overall, I found this one a little disappointing.
May 28, 2018
Things are heating up in the quiet town of Flaxborough. Arnold Hatch, owner of the Floradora Club, and his wife Sophie have a "friendly" competition going on with Harry Crispin and his housekeeper, Millicent Spain. Crispin puts in a large swimming pool, so the Hatch household extends their own pool to keep up. Mr. and Mrs. Hatch put in a light sensitive remote control to close their bedroom drapes at night, so Crispin flashes his car's high beams at the windows to open the drapes after bedtime. Small town life can be like that, right?
But when authorities in America contact the constable's office with a warning that a hitman may be on his way to take out an unknown target, it seems the rivalry may be heating up. Inspector Purbright and his staff make inquiries, but no one seems to know who the target might be. When a strange American arrives, it seems he may have some answers, but he's not sharing. And what in the world are the telegrams about naked nuns referring to? Nothing is adding up and someone could soon be dead.
As usual, Purbright plugs away at the investigation until he finally makes sense of it all. With the help of Sid and the other constables, and even some assistance from the ever busy Mrs. Teatime, he does find out what it all means and amuses readers along the way with his humor and his gentle teasing of his supervisor. The various personalities in the town are stereotypical while still having some individuality to keep things interesting.
This is not the "little grey cells" approach of Poirot, but police procedure mixed with small town society and foibles. Perfect for mystery lovers who are looking for a more leisurely pace to reaching the solution and enjoying the journey.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
But when authorities in America contact the constable's office with a warning that a hitman may be on his way to take out an unknown target, it seems the rivalry may be heating up. Inspector Purbright and his staff make inquiries, but no one seems to know who the target might be. When a strange American arrives, it seems he may have some answers, but he's not sharing. And what in the world are the telegrams about naked nuns referring to? Nothing is adding up and someone could soon be dead.
As usual, Purbright plugs away at the investigation until he finally makes sense of it all. With the help of Sid and the other constables, and even some assistance from the ever busy Mrs. Teatime, he does find out what it all means and amuses readers along the way with his humor and his gentle teasing of his supervisor. The various personalities in the town are stereotypical while still having some individuality to keep things interesting.
This is not the "little grey cells" approach of Poirot, but police procedure mixed with small town society and foibles. Perfect for mystery lovers who are looking for a more leisurely pace to reaching the solution and enjoying the journey.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
May 26, 2018
There is a rivalry between businessmen Henry Crispin and Arnold Hatch. Nothing too outstanding, however, until a dead body is found. On the job are DI Purbright and Sergeant Love. Whether or not the murder has to do with the gentlemen, or the new man on the town. Then there is the curious telegram from America referring to naked nuns. DI Purbright and DS Love are feverishly struggling to expose the nefarious acts while trying to restore calm to the what should be the lovely town of Flaxborough.
With an excellent cast of characters, a terrific mystery and an excellent bite of British humor, this is an excellent part of the series. It may seem odd to mention, but when reading English authors like Watson, who have a powerful control of language, it makes the books more enjoyable. Especially since I am reading these review titles on my Kindle and can simply click unfamiliar words that I can add to my own vocabulary.
Many thanks to Farrago and to NetGalley for this ARC to review.
With an excellent cast of characters, a terrific mystery and an excellent bite of British humor, this is an excellent part of the series. It may seem odd to mention, but when reading English authors like Watson, who have a powerful control of language, it makes the books more enjoyable. Especially since I am reading these review titles on my Kindle and can simply click unfamiliar words that I can add to my own vocabulary.
Many thanks to Farrago and to NetGalley for this ARC to review.
May 20, 2018
What creative author! Colin Watson amazes me as to what he can think up for plots involving his town of Flaxborough and their police force. His use of imagery in the words that he uses applies also to his themes. In this book he uses flowers and lighting in all of his cleverness. It is a joy when one finds them in his books. I liked his Mrs. Shooter character. She reminded me of a Charles Dickens character in temperament. In spite of all the stories in this book, it did have a plausible ending.
June 3, 2018
Another fun detective story from Colin Watson, yes there's a murder, but it's sort of secondary to the story. It doesn't even happen until much further in the book than you would usually expect. This one is dateable because it mention's Richard Nixon - but I still have my suspicions that that may be a later addition as these books feel as though they are set in an earlier era. I see that he was writing detective novels from 1958 - 1982 - well published - but he seems to be firmly ensconsed in the 1950s. I love them and can't wait to read the next one.
May 27, 2018
Is it me or the book, but I found myself confused about this book. This series usually has dry humor that I enjoy so much. However, I just didn’t get it with this book. It’s a bit excruciating to plough through this book. The end half part one was a bit better. The mystery was OK and enjoyable. I just missed the humor.
I was provided a complementary copy by the author / publisher through NetGalley, but this in no way influenced my thoughts or opinions.
I was provided a complementary copy by the author / publisher through NetGalley, but this in no way influenced my thoughts or opinions.
May 30, 2018
***Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review****
I'm really enjoying this series. I'm pretty much reading them one after the other as soon as they come out (or as soon as I spot that they've come out! This features a rivalry between two prominent members of the town, a death threat and some efficiency experts who speak gobbledy-gook nearly as brilliantly as the advertising execs in Broomsticks over Flaxborough!
I've got the next one cued up to read already.
I'm really enjoying this series. I'm pretty much reading them one after the other as soon as they come out (or as soon as I spot that they've come out! This features a rivalry between two prominent members of the town, a death threat and some efficiency experts who speak gobbledy-gook nearly as brilliantly as the advertising execs in Broomsticks over Flaxborough!
I've got the next one cued up to read already.
December 14, 2024
Yet another fun read from Colin Watson. Detective Inspector Purbright has his hands full looking into the invasion of the Floradora Country Club by a gang of goons, who break the place up - and leave the owner lying dead in a pool of blood. And, there’s reports of an American Mafioso arriving in town at the same time.
Told with Watson’s usual serio-comic deadpan narration, it’s hard to read this book without a smile repeatedly lighting up your face. Glad I’ve got several left to read!
Told with Watson’s usual serio-comic deadpan narration, it’s hard to read this book without a smile repeatedly lighting up your face. Glad I’ve got several left to read!
July 10, 2018
A real Benny Hill Flaxborough mystery that reads like a slight grimy shag carpet; the sexual mores and general grasping of the upwardly mobile are thoroughly skewered. A strong entry in the series, although I think that the American gangster bits are not worth the time. A recommend for sure.
I received and ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley.
I received and ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley.
September 13, 2024
one of my favorite series.
I so enjoy the delicious wording employed by the author when providing a voice for Miss Teatime. She is such a lady…it would be offensive to her shell like ears to mention murder, extortion and such things in her hearing. One must be more genteel than that!
I so enjoy the delicious wording employed by the author when providing a voice for Miss Teatime. She is such a lady…it would be offensive to her shell like ears to mention murder, extortion and such things in her hearing. One must be more genteel than that!
May 18, 2018
Watson’s classics require careful attention. There are always several intertwined plots going on, and the careless reader risks losing the thread, but attention is rewarded with a clever ending. You will enjoy getting to know the good people of Flaxborough!
June 1, 2018
Lovely
This a humorous mystery that manages to be timeless. The antics of Crispin and Hatch are still entertaining. One of my favorites
This a humorous mystery that manages to be timeless. The antics of Crispin and Hatch are still entertaining. One of my favorites
June 21, 2018
Ehhh
Good wit. Ending seemed vague. Not my cup of tea I guess. Mmm mumbling mmm m. Mmm Mmm m mmmmm
Good wit. Ending seemed vague. Not my cup of tea I guess. Mmm mumbling mmm m. Mmm Mmm m mmmmm
July 17, 2018
Another enjoyable outing with Flaxborough friends. I devour these books now. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
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