From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

Arrest the Bishop?

Winifred Peck,

Martin Edwards (Foreword)

Start date: February 1, 2020

Finish date: February 29, 2020

Discussion: Group reads

Why we're reading this: Winner of the poll for our February group read.
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What Members Thought

Nov 23, 2016 Judy rated it liked it

Dean Street Press continues to rediscover an amazing wealth of classic detective stories. This one is a well-written mystery - perhaps a little late for the 'Golden Age' label, since it was published in 1949, but it is set in 1920, in the immediate aftermath of the First World War.

The story takes place in a clerical environment. It's a world author Winifred Peck knew well, since she was the daughter of a bishop and her brother was a celebrated detective story writer, Monsignor Ronald Knox. Peck ...more

13 likes · Like · see review

Jan 30, 2020 Susan rated it really liked it

Originally published in 1949, but set in 1920, this is one of two mysteries written by Winifred Peck – the other being, “The Warrielaw Jewel” – as well as a number of other works. I first came across Winifred Peck while reading, “The Knox Brothers,” by Penelope Fitzgerald, about her uncle’s; one of whom was Ronald Knox, a founder member of the Detection Club. That family also had two sisters, of which Winifred was one – but she has been over-shadowed by her brother’s crime novels.

Although I lik ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Feb 08, 2020 Leslie rated it liked it

Shelves: kindle, mysteries

For some reason, I had a hard time with the beginning of this book - it wasn't that the book was difficult but my attention kept drifting off. Once the murder happened, it went much more smoothly for me. The culprit was quite a surprise! ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jan 16, 2021 Jan C rated it really liked it

Shelves: england, gr-group-read, 2021

I think I liked this one a little more than The Warrielaw Jewel, her other detective story. So I gave it 3 1/2-4 stars.

Not as much trouble getting going as the Jewel but it is written a number of years later. She is from a religious family - father was an archbishop, at least one brother a theologian and writer.

So she has the background to use the Anglican priesthood as a basis. Priests are gathered for an ordination at the bishop's Palace, I think about 4-5 of them. And one very unpleasant prie I think I liked this one a little more than The Warrielaw Jewel, her other detective story. So I gave it 3 1/2-4 stars.

Not as much trouble getting going as the Jewel but it is written a number of years later. She is from a religious family - father was an archbishop, at least one brother a theologian and writer.

So she has the background to use the Anglican priesthood as a basis. Priests are gathered for an ordination at the bishop's Palace, I think about 4-5 of them. And one very unpleasant priest arrives, allegedly on his way to America. He seems to know secrets about a number of the priests and the bishop and his family. Object: blackmail. He takes ill almost as soon as he crosses the threshold (perhaps he was even ill on the journey there) and takes to bed. A doctor arrives to tend to a dying governess (who also knows a lot of secrets and even has one or two of her own) and they ask him to take a gander at the priest. He leaves instructions that the ill man should have no spirits.

On the morrow, the bishop's butler takes him his tea/coffee and the unpleasant priest is dead. Who did it? Several people were in and out of his room all night despite instructions to leave him be. Including the bishop, the bishop's wife, at least one of the bishop's daughters, and several priests.

One of the priests (actually I don't know that we know his ranking) had been in the intelligence service in the war and he kind of takes charge - calling the police, doctor, sealing the room, etc.

I don't have much knowledge of the Anglican church, although I did grow up across the street from a high Episcopalian church and my father was a Presbyterian minister. They don't have bishops. And my recollection of the once or twice I attended a service at St. Luke's is that they swung a lot of incense and ate breakfast AFTER church. Presbyterians eat before church. I know because all of that incense made me sick once when I was about 12 or so. And there aren't bishops - there is a presbytery that covers a large region - maybe like the region a bishop covers?

The police detective who shows up is Mack, a scottish copper who is down on the Anglicans and there is discussion of Anglican vs. Presbyterian.

Anyway once we got into the investigation this book picked up, although she did take a while winding it down. That has been my biggest complaint lately. The story is told, the case is solved, and still the author goes on and on and on. it happens with non-fiction, too. Authors don't know when to end their books, seemingly.

Rant over! ...more

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Jan 25, 2020 Jill rated it really liked it

Shelves: jill-s-sixth-year-challenge

This book is set in renovated palace, which is a church. It is the residence of the bishop and his family, along with their servants and would-be priests waiting to be ordained. A disgraced member of the church, turns up before the ordination, but is very drunk and has a heart attack on arrival. He is cared for by the bishop and family according to doctor's orders, but unfortunately dies before the next morning. The unexpected death means that the doctor has to call in the local police, and it i ...more

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Feb 15, 2020 ShanDizzy rated it liked it

A weak mystery but an interesting cast of characters

1 like · Like · see review

May 29, 2024 Jenn Estepp rated it liked it

Shelves: sleuths-and-gumshoes, kindling

2 1/2, but rounding up because I liked it slightly more than the other mediocre mystery I just read. But this was way too long and meandering. And very difficult to follow and makes sense of initially. Beyond that, I sussed out the culprit and some of the other "revealed secrets" pretty early on, and I kind of hated at least one of the characters and was pretty indifferent towards most of the other ones. That said, there was a germ of something good and interesting here - just wish it had been a ...more

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Oct 09, 2022 Jessica marked it as to-read

Shelves: fiction, detective, golden-age-mystery

Recommended as a favorite on Slightly Foxed podcast, Episode 33: The Golden Age of Crime Writing ...more

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Feb 03, 2020 Sandy rated it liked it

Shelves: own, mystery-classic, z2020-own-24, rread-2020

I've enjoyed the two mysteries I've read by this author and I'm afraid that is all the mysteries she wrote. Good plot, well-drawn characters, interesting setting, amusing asides and a love story on the side. ...more

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