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Golden Age titles back in print - Dean Street Press and others
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What Members Thought
For those of us who enjoy Golden Age crime fiction, these are wonderful times, with so many out of print – long forgotten – books and authors, becoming re-available for readers to discover. Of course, the quality is mixed, but there are some real gems coming back into print and I do think that this is one of more enjoyable that I have found. Sadly, Harriet Rutland only published three mysteries, and this was her first, from 1938, which stands the test of time really well.
This has a great setting ...more
This has a great setting ...more
Dean Street Press has done a great job with rediscovering out-of-print mysteries, but overall I was disappointed with this one, first published in the 1930s, about a serial killer stalking residents of a hydro spa in Devon. (Admittedly, I tend to like serial killer mysteries less than more traditional Golden Age detective stories, which usually have more interesting motives).
The setting is great, with retired colonels and ladies sipping tea and exchanging scandal, and I quite liked the police in ...more
The setting is great, with retired colonels and ladies sipping tea and exchanging scandal, and I quite liked the police in ...more
I had never heard of this author before. With only three books to her credit, Harriet Rutland (aka Olive Shimwell) has gradually slipped into obscurity. But true golden age crime aficionados will eventually find her and devour her books. This is what happened with me. Knock, Murderer, Knock! is Rutland's first book and a brilliant first effort.
The setting is a hydropathic hotel (a place which offered therapeutic cures but was also a tourist destination - usually inhabited by elderly people). The ...more
The setting is a hydropathic hotel (a place which offered therapeutic cures but was also a tourist destination - usually inhabited by elderly people). The ...more
3.5 stars. The story is built upon a very clever plot and well-selected location. It is well-written with a substantial cast of characters. My main criticism of the book is that there is very little character development and that the cast mostly serves to support the plot. I enjoyed the introduction of Mr Winkley to the ranks of Golden Age sleuths and will read the other two books by the author in due course. I highly recommend it to lovers of Agatha Christie's mysteries.
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2.5 stars. Golden Age mystery read with the Reading the Detectives group, this book offers dark humor, quirky characters and a rather gruesome murder method. It was an okay read for me because of those things, but a few problems knocked the rating down.
I enjoyed the humor, and the setting at a rather seedy “hydro” - a residential hotel that offers medical spa treatments - was very effective backdrop for the snobbery and gossiping residents. Most of the book was fun and funny, but then the third ...more
I enjoyed the humor, and the setting at a rather seedy “hydro” - a residential hotel that offers medical spa treatments - was very effective backdrop for the snobbery and gossiping residents. Most of the book was fun and funny, but then the third ...more
Slightly confused in the beginning. No knowledge of what a hydro-center (or whatever it is called) is.
Love the murder weapon.
And once I got past all these old people (probably some of whom are my age!) and the bizarre locale I actually found this an enjoyable mystery. A different kind of murder weapon than we usually see.
And I had the wrong killer … again.
Love the murder weapon.
And once I got past all these old people (probably some of whom are my age!) and the bizarre locale I actually found this an enjoyable mystery. A different kind of murder weapon than we usually see.
And I had the wrong killer … again.
Set in a Hydro Spa hotel, this introduces a Policeman Palk, to solve an unusual murder of a young woman staying there. The other residents are all of a much older age, the young Miss Blake is not much thought of by the other females there, but is a bit of a hit with the ageing males. This is Palk's first big case and to be honest he fumbles his way through. When a second death occurs, we are introduced to Mr Winkly whose hobby we are told is as an amateur detective, and who seems to be accepted
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I've been looking about for some other Golden Age mystery writers apart from the Christie/Sayers/Marsh/Allingham quartet to enjoy and am rapidly realizing that these 4 were the Queens for good reason-no one else does it quite like they do.
This was a fine read about a murder set in a sort of spa/residence with the usual cast of spinsters, faded gentry, staff with secrets, unhappy young people trapped with their parents, femme fatale and dashing Doctor. The mystery was suitably convoluted and the ...more
This was a fine read about a murder set in a sort of spa/residence with the usual cast of spinsters, faded gentry, staff with secrets, unhappy young people trapped with their parents, femme fatale and dashing Doctor. The mystery was suitably convoluted and the ...more
Really probably 2 1/2, but I'm feeling relatively kind today, so I shall round up. The setting was good and there were some sly, darkly humorous bits that I appreciated. But it felt very drawn out, I clocked the murderer and the very cliched motive pretty early on, and the detectives were not particularly impressive. I do, however, have Rutland's other mysteries on my Kindle, so will no doubt give her another go at some point.
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Chapter on introduces us to all the characters one by one.
Chapter two introduces us to the institution.
Chapter three goes through all the characters again as they go about their day.
Chapter four faithfully goes through all the characters again, from the top of the list to the bottom, as they attend a concert.
Chapter five on wards: murder! And we go through all the characters again as they talk to the police inspector one by tedious, one.
I love a good mystery, but I just gave up on this one. ...more
Chapter two introduces us to the institution.
Chapter three goes through all the characters again as they go about their day.
Chapter four faithfully goes through all the characters again, from the top of the list to the bottom, as they attend a concert.
Chapter five on wards: murder! And we go through all the characters again as they talk to the police inspector one by tedious, one.
I love a good mystery, but I just gave up on this one. ...more
Interesting setting: it is some sort of worn-down medical facility that could be used as a residence by either those using the treatments or those who weren't and was also open to day trippers. The characters are mostly quirky elders with a couple attractive young women for spice. Lots of humor in the characters interactions and a reasonable mystery.
...more
Jun 26, 2017
Tracey
marked it as to-read
Aug 25, 2019
Danya
marked it as wishlist
Sep 05, 2019
Suki St Charles
marked it as to-read
Mar 17, 2020
Gardener0126
is currently reading it
Nov 30, 2022
Sara
rated it
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review of another edition
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Sep 29, 2022
Lynnie
marked it as to-read
