The Curious Incident at Claridge's

Country House Crime Mystery #5

by R.T. Raichev

Did the young and beautiful Lady Tradescant try to poison her elderly husband? If not, who did? There is no shortage of suspects. His eccentric twin sister Bettina, his disgruntled son Nicholas, his scheming daughter Olivia . . . Antonia Darcy and Hugh Payne face one of their most baffling cases.

Their investigation takes them from the luxury of Claridge’s Hotel to Mayholme Manor, a residential home for elderly gentlemen. This proves to be a distinctly sinister establishment, where they encounter the mysterious Doctor Fairchild and his albino manservant Madden. There seems to be a link in all of this to the Nuremberg trials. Did a royal figure secretly plot to save one of Hitler’s most notorious henchmen from the gallows? And how does that relate to the murder?

Genres: Mystery

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

R. T. Raichev is a researcher and writer who grew up in Bulgaria and wrote a university dissertation on English crime fiction. He has lived in London since 1989.

Series:
* Country House Crime Mystery

Reviews

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm still thinking about my rating. I don't know what to make of the ending. Interesting.

[Ella Moody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like an Agatha Christie, enjoyable, but pretty mid.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best of the bunch so far. Very focused on Major Payne, which is a nice touch. Compelling characters, sparkling dialogue. Wonderful read.

[Jaclyn Holland-strauss · Rating 5 out of 5]

The modern crime authors are often compared to Christie, Sayers, etc. This is completely understandable as these two ladies and others, were masters of their craft. This novel possesses the ingenuity displayed in the Golden Age, but also contains a modern sensibility, with the inclusion of several subjects that would never have appeared so long ago (although I believe Christie dipped her toes in the controversial water a couple of times). This book is the perfect balance of a great murder mystery with a modern twist.

There is additionally a subplot about Wallis Simpson, which fits in perfectly with the rest of the narrative. Really well done. The dénouement was fantastic, including Antonia's funny comment at the end. I never suspected the killer's identity, but the clues are there if we perceive them. Masterfully done! Raichev definitely played fair but in a smart enough way that that doesn't mean we will figure out the truth.

The plot twists are revealed in such a way that they're easy to keep up with. Some great lines are offered, like "Most women with classical names are bitches!". Excellent clueing throughout and a heightened sense of drama towards the end, which increases the suspense. Really, a truly magnificent modern take on the detective novel, and very well worth reading. So far, my favourite book of Raichev's, a conclusion shared by the famous Robert Barnard.

[Alison C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Major Hugh Payne is attending a luncheon with his regimental unit when he sees that Captain Jesty has disappeared; wandering around a little later, he spots the man hiding behind a potted palm, watching a couple intently. The old man upon whom he is spying is accompanied by a much younger, and very beautiful, woman and Jesty - a ladies’ man if there ever was one - is immediately smitten. He has seen the woman doing something furtive when the old man leaves the table momentarily, and he tells Major Payne about it, thus setting in train a series of events that culminates in murder…. I liked this book in the series featuring Antonia Darcy and Major Payne more than the last few, largely because Antonia and Hugh are mostly sidelined and the family involved in the crimes are quite interesting. Not fond of the characters, who are pretty much all despicable, and I found the ending extremely weak, but I was mildly entertained up to that point. I really like Antonia and Hugh in the numerous short stories that I’ve read in EQMM, but don’t think I’ll try any more of the novels; they just don’t work for me. Sigh.

[Elisa Schiorlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

La morte di Sir Seymour classificata come naturale e il suicidio della sua governante non convincono Antonia e suo marito che iniziano a curiosare e indagare.

Belle descrizioni dei paesaggi, stile giallo classico, molto carino.

[Paul Juniper · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book just never got started. A very long NOT suspenseful wait for nothing to happen. Disappointing. Don’t bother reading this.

[Cheryl Landmark · Rating 3 out of 5]

First one of this series that I have read. It was not bad, but I didn't like the ending.

[M · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked the idea of the plot but the execution was less than satisfactory to me.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not every book could start with a conversation among sozzled old men and hold the reader for long, but this one did. Overall, I found it an entertaining update on the British mystery tradition.

I enjoyed it very much until the end, but then looking back on the story once the "truth" at its heart had been revealed, I felt slightly disgruntled. Raichev takes an unusual approach to the motivation in question -- which, once unmasked, was a bit unsettling, maybe even vexing. I suppose it's not an invalid approach to a murder mystery, and maybe even a clever update, but I felt ever so slightly tricked in a way I don't usually, even when the perpetrator surprises me.

The other thing I realized at the end was that, as mild as the story feels in many ways, a lot of the sex-related details had a twist. No straight-forward love affairs here, no we have incest, an ongoing menage a trois and two May-December romances, one disguised as a familial bond. In the end, it just felt a bit much to me.

Again, I enjoyed nearly all the experience of reading the book, but when it was done, it felt slightly like a meal you devoured with enjoyment but then find settles into your stomach a bit uncomfortably. None of this really has to do with the author's execution -- he's very skilled at all the major tasks -- there were just some choices I found myself questioning after I'd closed the book. Like, "Really? Was that really necessary?"

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Major Payne's acquaintance the caddish Captain Jesty observes a beautiful woman replacing one pill with another at a nearby tea table. As Darcy, his wife (mystery writer Antonia Darcy) and Jesty become involved in the life, death and family of the odious Sir Seymour Tradescant, they find that there are a number of people with motives to remove Tradescant, but many of them have alibis. There's also a link from Tradescant to a little-known, possibly imaginary, escape attempt at the Nuremberg Trials. Delightful continuation of this series, which reads like the Golden Age of detective fiction brought up-to-date.

[Leslie Zampetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raichev continues his clever update of Christie with his married sleuths, Antonia Darcy and Major Payne. "DId she do it?" is the question about Lady Tradescant, the very young and beautiful wife of old and crotchety Sir Seymour, who ends up dead in his bath at Mayholme Manor, a retreat for old gentlemen. Raichev employs the usual twists and turns, with a great deal of authorly guidance from Antonia, a popular mystery writer.

For those cozy fans tired of hobby mysteries, exotic mysteries and Regency retreads, Raichev is well worth reading.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful author who is new to me. Enjoyed it so much I read all the other Antonia Darcy/Major Payne mysteries. Delightful!

[Johanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this. Modern Britain has never felt so cozy. Not the best effort of R.T. Raichev, but a good read nonetheless.

[Lester · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Curiouser and curiouser'..interesting..though I did kinda figure things out rather quickly!

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

British murder mystery. Fun but the ending wasn't satisfying

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing mystery with an unexpected end - an enjoyable light, quick read.