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Inspector French #15
Man Overboard
Also known as 'Cold-Blooded Murder' in America.
- GenresMystery
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1936
About the author
Freeman Wills Crofts
164 books89 followersBorn in Dublin of English stock, Freeman Wills Crofts was educated at Methodist and Campbell Colleges in Belfast and at age 17 he became a civil engineering pupil, apprenticed to his uncle, Berkeley D Wise who was the chief engineer of the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway (BNCR).
In 1899 he became a fully fledged railway engineer before becoming a district engineer and then chief assistant engineer for the BNCR.
He married in 1912, Mary Bellas Canning, a bank manager's daughter. His writing career began when he was recovering from a serious illness and his efforts were rewarded when his first novel 'The Cask' was accepted for publication by a London publishing house. Within two decades the book had sold 100,000 copies. Thereafter he continued to write in his spare time and produced a book a year through to 1929 when he was obliged to stop working through poor health.
When he and his wife moved to Guildford, England, he took up writing full time and not surprisingly many of his plots revolved around travel and transport, particularly transport timetables and many of them had a Guildford setting.
In retirement from engineering, as well as writing, he also pursued his other interests, music, in which he was an organist and conductor, gardening, carpentry and travel.
He wrote a mystery novel almost every year until his death and in addition he produced about 50 short stories, 30 radio plays for the BBC, a number of true crime works, a play, 'Sudden Death', a juvenile mystery, 'Young Robin Brand, Detective', and a religious work, 'The Four Gospels in One Story'.
His best known character is Inspector Joseph French, who featured in 30 detective novels between 1924 and 1957. And Raymond Chandler praised his plots, calling him "the soundest builder of them all".
Gerry Wolstenholme
May 2010
In 1899 he became a fully fledged railway engineer before becoming a district engineer and then chief assistant engineer for the BNCR.
He married in 1912, Mary Bellas Canning, a bank manager's daughter. His writing career began when he was recovering from a serious illness and his efforts were rewarded when his first novel 'The Cask' was accepted for publication by a London publishing house. Within two decades the book had sold 100,000 copies. Thereafter he continued to write in his spare time and produced a book a year through to 1929 when he was obliged to stop working through poor health.
When he and his wife moved to Guildford, England, he took up writing full time and not surprisingly many of his plots revolved around travel and transport, particularly transport timetables and many of them had a Guildford setting.
In retirement from engineering, as well as writing, he also pursued his other interests, music, in which he was an organist and conductor, gardening, carpentry and travel.
He wrote a mystery novel almost every year until his death and in addition he produced about 50 short stories, 30 radio plays for the BBC, a number of true crime works, a play, 'Sudden Death', a juvenile mystery, 'Young Robin Brand, Detective', and a religious work, 'The Four Gospels in One Story'.
His best known character is Inspector Joseph French, who featured in 30 detective novels between 1924 and 1957. And Raymond Chandler praised his plots, calling him "the soundest builder of them all".
Gerry Wolstenholme
May 2010
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 24, 2023
Would say 3.5 stars. Right in the middle. The layout of this crime written differently than other books. Each chapter is dedicated from one person's point of view. Which keeps things clear but at times can be a bit tiresome, especially at the end when we have Pam's point of view for the whole trial and no one else. Trials are tedious and just listening to someone worry for 6 chapters (the last one was all right though as she picked up a new clue.)
Otherwise, this is a nice intricately made plot that involves a man getting on a boat to make his way back to England and doesn't get off- and is assumed to have committed suicide. However there is another complication at the start of the story that two men are working on a secret method to use on petrol which could revolutionize it. So, I was watching both those situations while reading.
One point- if you have the Harper Collins Publishers reprint on the back it says Jack Penrose had everything to live for but his body is later.... (Jack doesn't die in this book. It's a different character.)
Otherwise, this is a nice intricately made plot that involves a man getting on a boat to make his way back to England and doesn't get off- and is assumed to have committed suicide. However there is another complication at the start of the story that two men are working on a secret method to use on petrol which could revolutionize it. So, I was watching both those situations while reading.
One point- if you have the Harper Collins Publishers reprint on the back it says Jack Penrose had everything to live for but his body is later.... (Jack doesn't die in this book. It's a different character.)
November 26, 2020
I found this story rather strange.
Firstly, Chief Inspector French does not figure greatly, and appears rather like a deus ex machine to provide the solution in the last couple of chapters. Secondly, Crofts repeats evidence to an even greater extent than usual, with the trial evidence and judge's summing up being particularly tiresome. Thirdly, I doubt whether the trial would have ever come about in the real world. The accused has a motive no stronger than others, the opportunity is only sketchily proved and as to means... To take one instance. There is a minor character on board the ferry on which the murder took place. His whereabouts at the probable time of the killing are meticulously checked, but the same is not attempted for the accused.
The solution is fairly obvious but the whole set-up was just so flimsy. There is also a spoiler for French's previous case in Northern Ireland, "Sir John Magill's Last Journey".
Whilst the whole affair is implausible, the novel is, strangely, very readable as the character of Pamela Grey which largely drives the plot is one of Croft's better creations.
Firstly, Chief Inspector French does not figure greatly, and appears rather like a deus ex machine to provide the solution in the last couple of chapters. Secondly, Crofts repeats evidence to an even greater extent than usual, with the trial evidence and judge's summing up being particularly tiresome. Thirdly, I doubt whether the trial would have ever come about in the real world. The accused has a motive no stronger than others, the opportunity is only sketchily proved and as to means... To take one instance. There is a minor character on board the ferry on which the murder took place. His whereabouts at the probable time of the killing are meticulously checked, but the same is not attempted for the accused.
The solution is fairly obvious but the whole set-up was just so flimsy. There is also a spoiler for French's previous case in Northern Ireland, "Sir John Magill's Last Journey".
Whilst the whole affair is implausible, the novel is, strangely, very readable as the character of Pamela Grey which largely drives the plot is one of Croft's better creations.
May 4, 2026
More interesting characters than the last one, but the courtroom scene goes on WAY too long.
This is one of Crofts' longer mysteries (350+ pages) and could have been cut to good effect. Many writers become more verbose as they age. Lawrence Block claims it's because he pays more attention to details than in earlier books. Maybe, but it's also fact that publishers are more reluctant to insist on cuts with an established, popular author.
It's set in Northern Ireland and Chief Inspector French is happy to be back working with the local officers he met while investigating the disappearance of retired businessman Sir John Magill. It starts out well, introducing an appealing pair of young people (Pam and Jack) who are in love, but can't marry until he's making more money and can support a wife.
Two friends approach them about an important discovery which would make petrol (gas) safer in cars, trucks, and airplanes. They want Pam to help with their experiments and to introduce them to a wealthy friend who might finance them. She does and the older man agrees to fund them. If the discovery is a success, it would provide the money Pam and Jack need to get married. Instead it almost gets Jack "hanged by the neck until dead."
A reputable firm in England is approached about buying and developing the new product. The owner (who should have known better) sends his wife's idiot nephew over to check it out. Philip Jefferson has already paid Reginald Platt's gambling debts to avoid a scandal. Now the young man's run up a new batch. He needs money and probably isn't looking forward to asking his uncle-in-law for it. So he concocts another plan.
The chemists show their discovery to Platt, taking care not to give away their trade secrets. It's those secrets Platt wants and he already has a shady buyer lined up. After signing preliminary agreements, Platt gets on a boat back to England. By coincidence, Jack Penrose is on the same boat. So when Platt disappears, he's suspect #1.
The trial drags on and on. The author makes a point of the brilliance of the defense lawyer, but I thought of at least two strong arguments he COULD have made to the jury to cast doubt on his client's guilt. And I have no legal training!
The prospect of her beloved being hanged sends Pam into a panic and she wants Chief Inspector French's help. He explains he was only assisting the local officers and has no standing, but she mentions a puzzling fact and French is intrigued enough to take a short vacation and do a bit of digging. He becomes convinced the condemned man is innocent.
Now can he figure out how the murderer(s) boarded and left the channel boat? And can he convince the local cops in time to prevent the hanging of the wrong man? Except for the over-long trial, it moves along well and the young couple are appealing. As in many Golden Age mysteries, the deader is no loss, which adds to the enjoyment of the story. It's not Crofts' best, but it's a good read. I'd give it three-and-one-half stars if GR would let me.
I'm fifteen books into this thirty book series and still not tired of Inspector French. Hope the four that aren't yet available on Kindle show up soon, so I can finish it up. I agree with Raymond Chandler that Crofts was a master at showing the nuts-and-bolts of police work, while creating some good characters to make it worthwhile. I ask for nothing more and I'm glad to see Crofts back in the spotlight.
NB: This book reminded me of why I admire Crofts as a man, as well as a writer. Pam is aware that Jack's parents (while not wealthy) have enough money to hire the best defense lawyer around. She imagines the agony of families who lack the funds to provide an adequate defense for their loved ones.
Martin Edwards says the London Detection Club founders were diverse in their political beliefs. Crofts was a traditionalist and a supporter of the Conservative Party. Still, he was compassionate and a stern critic of the "justice" system that failed to provide medical care or legal defense for prisoners who were poor or working class (same thing at the time.)
His contemporaries might have been aware that there was one law for the rich and another for the poor, but many accepted it as part of God's plan. Croft believed it was a contradiction in terms for a "Christian" nation to treat the poor so badly and he never hesitated to say so. For that he has my admiration.
This is one of Crofts' longer mysteries (350+ pages) and could have been cut to good effect. Many writers become more verbose as they age. Lawrence Block claims it's because he pays more attention to details than in earlier books. Maybe, but it's also fact that publishers are more reluctant to insist on cuts with an established, popular author.
It's set in Northern Ireland and Chief Inspector French is happy to be back working with the local officers he met while investigating the disappearance of retired businessman Sir John Magill. It starts out well, introducing an appealing pair of young people (Pam and Jack) who are in love, but can't marry until he's making more money and can support a wife.
Two friends approach them about an important discovery which would make petrol (gas) safer in cars, trucks, and airplanes. They want Pam to help with their experiments and to introduce them to a wealthy friend who might finance them. She does and the older man agrees to fund them. If the discovery is a success, it would provide the money Pam and Jack need to get married. Instead it almost gets Jack "hanged by the neck until dead."
A reputable firm in England is approached about buying and developing the new product. The owner (who should have known better) sends his wife's idiot nephew over to check it out. Philip Jefferson has already paid Reginald Platt's gambling debts to avoid a scandal. Now the young man's run up a new batch. He needs money and probably isn't looking forward to asking his uncle-in-law for it. So he concocts another plan.
The chemists show their discovery to Platt, taking care not to give away their trade secrets. It's those secrets Platt wants and he already has a shady buyer lined up. After signing preliminary agreements, Platt gets on a boat back to England. By coincidence, Jack Penrose is on the same boat. So when Platt disappears, he's suspect #1.
The trial drags on and on. The author makes a point of the brilliance of the defense lawyer, but I thought of at least two strong arguments he COULD have made to the jury to cast doubt on his client's guilt. And I have no legal training!
The prospect of her beloved being hanged sends Pam into a panic and she wants Chief Inspector French's help. He explains he was only assisting the local officers and has no standing, but she mentions a puzzling fact and French is intrigued enough to take a short vacation and do a bit of digging. He becomes convinced the condemned man is innocent.
Now can he figure out how the murderer(s) boarded and left the channel boat? And can he convince the local cops in time to prevent the hanging of the wrong man? Except for the over-long trial, it moves along well and the young couple are appealing. As in many Golden Age mysteries, the deader is no loss, which adds to the enjoyment of the story. It's not Crofts' best, but it's a good read. I'd give it three-and-one-half stars if GR would let me.
I'm fifteen books into this thirty book series and still not tired of Inspector French. Hope the four that aren't yet available on Kindle show up soon, so I can finish it up. I agree with Raymond Chandler that Crofts was a master at showing the nuts-and-bolts of police work, while creating some good characters to make it worthwhile. I ask for nothing more and I'm glad to see Crofts back in the spotlight.
NB: This book reminded me of why I admire Crofts as a man, as well as a writer. Pam is aware that Jack's parents (while not wealthy) have enough money to hire the best defense lawyer around. She imagines the agony of families who lack the funds to provide an adequate defense for their loved ones.
Martin Edwards says the London Detection Club founders were diverse in their political beliefs. Crofts was a traditionalist and a supporter of the Conservative Party. Still, he was compassionate and a stern critic of the "justice" system that failed to provide medical care or legal defense for prisoners who were poor or working class (same thing at the time.)
His contemporaries might have been aware that there was one law for the rich and another for the poor, but many accepted it as part of God's plan. Croft believed it was a contradiction in terms for a "Christian" nation to treat the poor so badly and he never hesitated to say so. For that he has my admiration.
April 22, 2021
Man Overboard starting very promisingly with an interesting topic and intriguing characters, unfortunately after about half-way through it fell apart. There was a way too long trial and the final denouement took forever and ended up being pretty much what I thought happened.
November 14, 2021
This was my ninth book in the inspector French series. And it was definitely the worst. There was one other that was about as bad ("death on the way") but even that was in a few aspects slightly better. This was rubbish.
January 26, 2025
Wordy and contradictory
The Inspector French stories normally rate 3 or 4 stars but not this one. A man is convicted of murder without any motive or evidence and then a convoluted series of events gets him off.
The Inspector French stories normally rate 3 or 4 stars but not this one. A man is convicted of murder without any motive or evidence and then a convoluted series of events gets him off.
March 29, 2020
Excellent story. Freeman Wills Crofts is absolutely brilliant. His meticulously thought-out stories are so well done.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews