From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

Tenant for Death (Inspector Mallett, #1)

Cyril Hare

Start date: June 1, 2019

Finish date: June 30, 2019

Discussion: Group reads

Why we're reading this: Winner of the poll for our June group read.
[close] Winner of the poll for our June group read.

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 328 topics — 11,869 comments total

Group reads

* VOTE NOW for November 2025 group read!
By Judy · 19 posts · 22 views

last updated 5 hours, 49 min ago

* Sept 25: Lonesome Road (#3 Miss Silver Mysteries) by Patricia Wentworth
By Susan · 13 posts · 11 views

last updated Sep 03, 2025 12:03PM

showing 8 of 8 topics view all »

What Members Thought

May 27, 2019 Susan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is the first Inspector Mallett mystery, first published in 1937. I had previously read, “An English Murder,” by Cyril Hare which, although it first appeared a typical, country house, murder mystery, felt quite modern by comparison with other, similar books of the era – addressing political, and social, tensions. Likewise, this also has quite a modern feel to it, with an immediacy to the characters, and the time, that are refreshing.

Lionel Ballentine is a big name on the stock exchange, so, ...more

26 likes · Like · see review

Jun 19, 2019 Jan C rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: england, gr-group-read, mystery, 2019

Interesting Golden Age mystery. I really liked Inspector Mallet. Suddenly realizing that he never ate lunch - often has a late lunch. Been there, done that.

I'll be looking for more of these stories. ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Apr 25, 2020 Christine PNW rated it liked it · review of another edition

This was a bit sparse, but I still didn't figure it out. I got part of it right - and I wonder at how long it took Inspector Mallett to realize what seemed to be fairly obvious.

I liked Mallett and would definitely read another book in his series. I do feel like the book was somehow lacking in something, although I can't quite put my finger on it. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

May 29, 2019 Susan in NC rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: tbr-with-gr-groups

3.5-4 stars —I was having a hard time keeping track of some of the suspects, but really liked this first outing with Inspector Mallett and his Sgt. Frant, and the ending cleared up all the loose ends for me.

It seemed pretty obvious from the beginning what was going on with the murder victim assuming a rather noticeable disguise, but the why’s and wherefore’s weren’t really clear (at least for me!) until the tidy ending. I appreciated Hare’s characters, his very human detective, and his use of hu ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

May 30, 2019 Jill rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: cyril-hare

I did like the story and thought the plot was well thought out, but I did find the beginning somewhat confusing . I didn't feel any particular liking for Inspector Mallet, but maybe he becomes more interesting in the later books, once one has got to know him better. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 08, 2018 ShanDizzy rated it really liked it

Lionel Ballantine was murdered. Did someone kill him because he "madoff" with their money? The beauty is in the telling of this twisty and intriguing mystery. ...more

1 like · Like · see review