From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

The Franchise Affair (Inspector Alan Grant, #3)

Josephine Tey,

Robert Barnard (Introduction)

Start date: November 1, 2020

Finish date: November 30, 2020

Discussion: Group reads

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

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Group reads

* November 2025 group read - Winner!
By Judy · 20 posts · 32 views

last updated Sep 17, 2025 08:43AM

* Sept 25: Lonesome Road (#3 Miss Silver Mysteries) by Patricia Wentworth
By Susan · 16 posts · 16 views

last updated Sep 19, 2025 01:03PM

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What Members Thought

Feb 17, 2019 Christine PNW rated it it was amazing

Shelves: vintage-women

This is my edition:

This was really excellent. The mystery is riveting, and Tey maintains the tension throughout, while allowing things to unfold in a leisurely fashion. If I have one minor complaint, it's that it does move a little bit slowly. But that is just a tiny thing.

What a loss it was that she died so young. I've now read 3 of the 8 books that the author wrote as Josephine Tey (she also wrote as Gordon Daviot), and 2 of her Inspector Grant mysteries. I will keep buying her books as I ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Mar 21, 2016 Damaskcat rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Marion Sharpe and her mother live in a house called The Franchise - left to them by a distant relative. They lead a quiet and uneventful life until they are confronted out of the blue by a young girl - Betty Kane - who accuses them of kidnapping her, keeping her locked in an attic room and beating her black and blue. Something about the story doesn't ring quite true to Inspector Alan Grant of Scotland Yard but everything about the girl's description of the house ties up and it seems as though sh ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Nov 24, 2020 Frances rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-series

Another great Golden Age mystery by Tey, minimally featuring her detective Grant, which, if you can put aside some rather classist and mildly misogynistic assumptions, makes a really compelling read.

2 likes · Like · see review

May 24, 2015 Gina Dalfonzo rated it liked it · review of another edition

I got this one because I liked "Brat Farrar" so much, but this turned out to be a weaker story. Too much was based on gut instincts and personal attractions. (view spoiler) ...more

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Apr 17, 2023 Cricket Muse rated it it was amazing

An unusual plot for Ms. Tey in that her inspector Grant is basically removed from the story and there is no murder in this engaging mystery story.

A teen girl accuses a woman and her elderly mother of kidnapping and beating her and her tale is so convincing that the two women are reviled by the locals. A solicitor takes up their case and becomes an amateur sleuth but discounting the girl’s accusations prove quite challenging.

Josephine Tey, an accomplished mystery writer, provides a tricky tale of ...more

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Oct 26, 2020 Jill rated it it was amazing

Shelves: josephine-tey

I liked this a lot. All the way through, it had me wondering about the characters concerned. Was I willing to go with the flow, or should I be doubting it? Inspector Grant plays a very small role in this, but I can't say I missed him, as the characters involved were well drawn and kept my attention throughout. ...more

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