The Other Devil's Name

Andrew Basnett #4

by E.X. Ferrars, John Hendry (Narrator)

It was with a sense of resignation that Andrew Basnett, retired botany professor, accompanied an old friend to her home in a Berkshire village because her sister had received a blackmail letter. The letter had obviously been put in the wrong envelope, but it seemed to indicate that a murder had been committed in Lindleham, where, strangely, several people were missing from their homes. Had the old man really gone to visit his son in Australia? Was the little boy who had run away still alive? Had the doctor's wife walked out on him, as he reported? What had happened to the businessman who failed to return from his mysterious work in the City and whom his wife believed to be working for MI5? Quietly Andrew investigates his friends' neighbours and discovers situations of deepening complexity. Not the least disconcerting is the dawning realization that his friends too have something to hide. Elizabeth Ferrars is a mistress of mystification and shrewd observation. Both talents are employed with her usual skill in this latest addition to her considerable oeuvre.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Audiobook, Cozy Mystery

Audio Cassette

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Aka Elizabeth Ferrars

Elizabeth Ferrars is a pseudonym of Morna Doris MacTaggart Brown. She was born in Rangoon, Burma.

Reviews

[Jazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series featuring Andrew Basnett, a retired botany professor. But then I haven't read anything by E.X. Ferrars that I haven't liked. Her characters are well developed, and the women especially are intelligent and real.

I do keep waiting for Basnett's botanical expertise to figure into the plot, but so far it's rather a side issue. In fact, he seems more literary than scientific. It's more about who he's known over the course of his 70ish life and coming to their aid and support when he's needed.

In this case a retired female professor calls for his help when her sister with whom she lives receives a threatening blackmail letter. But the letter is not meant for the sister and Basnett quickly figures out that the blackmailer put the wrong letter in the wrong envelope. Where did the letter intended for her go? There are many secrets in this small village (and aren't those the best in British mysteries?). Closed circle of suspects provides for many possibilities, all within easy range of investigating.

I highly recommend Ferrars as a vintage writer and if you prefer series, this is a good one to try!

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aka Mr. Basnett Gets Slightly Grouchy?

Readers of this series may notice, as I did, that Ferrars evolves things in this one slightly by making our protagonist a little less of a willing participant than usual. Summoned to an old friend's village home to give his thoughts on a mysterious, probably mis-sent extortion letter, Andrew Basnett seems to spend more time than usual wondering/wishing he never got involved.

There is also an interesting new subtle inclusion of personal, even intimate motives, as it relates to Basnett and his circle of acquaintances. As much as I enjoy this series, I do find a couple elements under-explored... the life and heart of a widower, the meaning of an intellect whose manuscript seems to never expand, and so I was intrigued here by the slight amount of new attention brought to relationships of those in their advanced years.

As for the mystery itself, Ferrars gives us a bevy of garden estates in which dogs or children or philanderers may be buried and floats a couple vague letters around the estates to keep things interesting.

Overall, a good one, with some interesting and complex side characters (also love the sequence in which Basnett hallucinates his friend and her cousin as two witches).

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

4th of 8 books in the Andrew Basnett, a retired botany prof, mystery series.
Whenever I need a comfortable, easy read, I turn to this series.
For me, the best of the 4 so far. Rural setting, and a bit of academia. But there is still something two-dimensional about the lead character. Ferrars introduces her other characters early on, and gives us their background. For some reason these stood out from each other better than in the episodes from the past.
And my, they pour drinks often!
A nice, pleasant Brit cozy read that will keep you wondering until the end, "Who-done-it?".

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felony and Mayhem

Are very aptly named. This press has a series of authors, which i am reading my way through. This set is an english jaunt - i am pleased there are two more to read. They are on the intellectual side, there are so many different personalities, all fitting the atmosphere. This one had rather more than one murder, starting with blackmail in a small town. Much festering beneath charming facades. But a lovely cosy read.

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

unfortunately I didn’t like this one as much as the first one I read.

I thoughts I’d like this series. Read one and it was ok. But this one just went on and on and didn’t make much sense. So I read about 40% and then got too bored, skipped to the last few pages and wrapped it up. It seemed poorly plotted to me. Nothing was very clear all through.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's at least one person being blackmailed in the seemingly idyllic English hamlet, and Andrew Basnett, a retired botanist, discovers that there might be more. It's when the first victim is found murdered that the police can finally take action, but Basnett reaches his own conclusion at about the same time that the truth is uncovered.

[We Are All Mad Here · Rating 4 out of 5]

Up to book #4 now and Andrew has yet to stay home, which makes me tired for him. All the same this is the kind of book that feels comforting when you open it - as a great fan of comfort I will carry on with #5.

[Calum Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

B+:

The best of the series so far. Goes back to a close-knit English village setting. The identity of the victim(s) is fairly surprising. The ending made sense without seeming obvious.

Very satisfying.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked Book 1 in this series. Then I read this Book 4 (because that was what the library had). It was ok, but has much less character development of Andrew, and I also found the other characters in this book less interesting than the ones in Book 1.

[Blythe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant light read. None of the characters were particularly engaging but the ending did surprise me. Seemed to all drink a lot.

[DonHSr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the main character but overall the stories are too short.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story

In just 200 pages, the author does a terrific job of defining the characters and creating the twists and turns that make you read far into the night. This series is wonderful.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...