From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

The Man in the Queue (Inspector Alan Grant, #1)

Josephine Tey

Start date: June 1, 2016

Finish date: June 30, 2016

Discussion: Group reads

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 333 topics — 11,940 comments total

Group reads

* December 2025 group read - Winner!
By Judy · 28 posts · 32 views

last updated Oct 15, 2025 10:39AM

* Oct 25: Murder Included (#1 D.I. Price) by Joanna Cannan
By Susan · 11 posts · 17 views

last updated Oct 02, 2025 10:38AM

showing 5 of 5 topics view all »

What Members Thought

May 30, 2016 Susan rated it liked it · review of another edition

This is the first Josephine Tey mystery, featuring Inspector Alan Grant. The novel begins on a March evening in London, where there are long queues outside the many theatres, including the Woffington; currently playing the long running show, “Didn’t You Know?” This is coming to the end of a long run and so the crowds are intense, with a patient crowd inching forward and hoping to get to see the beautiful Ray Marcable. As the doors open though, a man in the queue is murdered and Inspector Grant i ...more

19 likes · Like · see review

Apr 30, 2016 Susan added it · review of another edition

11 likes · Like · see review

Jan 16, 2016 Lady Clementina ffinch-ffarowmore rated it liked it

Shelves: british, alice

This was my second time reading this book so while I didn’t remember all the details, I did the solution and broad plot. I enjoyed Tey’s writing (particularly some of her descriptions) this time around though it wasn’t the most PC in certain spots. This can’t really be described as a whodunit where the reader is presented with an array of suspects and can simultaneously try working out the solution but a detective story where we go along with Inspector Grant’s line of investigation, following hi ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

May 25, 2016 Jill rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: josephine-tey

Really good . I liked the writing and really liked Grant, who seemed so human for a police inspector.

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 28, 2019 Frances rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-series

This is the first novel written by Josephine They, best known for The Daughter of Time. This book introduces Inspector Grant, who will feature in 6 more novels, and is an engaging and enjoyable mystery. The denouement is a bit disappointing, but Grant is a strong and interesting character, and the setting and scenery, between London and the Scottish Highlands, is very well done. I will be reading the rest of her novels! ...more

Like · see review

Mar 03, 2025 Cricket Muse rated it really liked it

Try’s first book featuring Inspector Grant showcases her ability to write a clever mystery while proving a whodunnit can have lovely, interesting prosaic descriptions.

Grant is both cerebral and down-to-earth. He has no apparent quirks, and is polite, and likable. He might be one of the only well-adjusted detectives found in literature.

The plot is unique in that a man is stabbed while in a theater line, the ubiquitous British queue, yet no one noticed his assailant. This proves to be a vexing and ...more

Like · see review

Oct 28, 2022 Neer rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries, women-writers, downloads, brit-lit, vintage-mystery, 1920s, pseudonyms, reads-22

Inspector Grant's first case. Enjoyable despite the weak ending. More here: https://ahotcupofpleasureagain.wordpr... ...more

Like · see review

Sep 20, 2015 Kat rated it really liked it

Some of Tey's use of idiosyncratic language is hard for a Yankee like me to decipher, but it doesn't stop my ever growing fascination with Alan Grant. ...more

Like · see review