From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

The Murder of a Quack (Chief Inspector Littlejohn #5)

George Bellairs

Start date: October 1, 2021

Finish date: October 31, 2021

Discussion: Group reads

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

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 328 topics — 11,868 comments total

Group reads

* Nominations for November 2025 group read
By Judy · 18 posts · 21 views

last updated Sep 05, 2025 03:20PM

* 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 2 of 2 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Sep 03, 2021 Susan rated it liked it

Chief Inspector Littlejohn is called in to investigate the murder of a 'quack' bonesetter, in a village. Pre-NHS, the locals tended to turn to the Quack, as the local doctor is an unpleasant drunk. Meanwhile, the victim, Nathanial Wall, comes from a family who have dealt with local breaks, and ailments, of the countryfolk and was trusted and respected, so it seems odd that he would have been killed. Of course, though, a murder has to have a motive and, before long, Littlejohn is unearthing local ...more

15 likes · Like · see review

Sep 25, 2021 Maine Colonial rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, british, mystery

This is a Golden Age English village mystery. There is the usual array of village characters, including the local plodding constable, and we also have the usual detective up from Scotland Yard. The victim, Dr. Wall, is sometimes called a quack because he is a what they call a “bonesetter,” apparently what is now an osteopath. Though he is resented by the qualified local physician, Wall has a great reputation in the village for both his skill and character.

A combination of painstaking investigati ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Jan 14, 2019 Bev rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: virtual-mount-tbr-2019, vintage-mystery, mystery, british-mystery, mcpl-book

The Murder of a Quack (1943) by George Bellairs once again finds Scotland Yard's Inspector Littlejohn investigating murder in a small English village. This time Nathaniel Wall, a beloved local "quack" bonesetter is found hanging from one of the contraptions he uses in his cures. At first it looks like the only people who had any dislike at all for the man were certified doctors. Wall comes from a family of bonesetters (those who can manipulate bones and joints, but who have no formal training) a The Murder of a Quack (1943) by George Bellairs once again finds Scotland Yard's Inspector Littlejohn investigating murder in a small English village. This time Nathaniel Wall, a beloved local "quack" bonesetter is found hanging from one of the contraptions he uses in his cures. At first it looks like the only people who had any dislike at all for the man were certified doctors. Wall comes from a family of bonesetters (those who can manipulate bones and joints, but who have no formal training) and the people of Stalden have come to rely on his skill. In fact, they prefer him over the new doctor who has bought the practice of a doctor who long had respect for the bonesetter. Circumstances (the doctor's alcoholic ways and a certain incident of a missed broken collarbone) had caused the villagers to seek out Wall's help even more. But would a doctor really resort to murder to get rid of the competition?

Littlejohn soon discovers that there are others with a possible motive--from the young woman who had considered him an uncle...until "uncle" decided to poke his nose into her romantic affairs to the young man she wishes to marry (and who has a decided row with the doctor) to the mysterious man who once sought the doctor's help with a deformity. When newspaper clippings are found which feature a bank robbery and a well-known forgery, Littlejohn begins to wonder what the connections are. Once he figures that out, he'll be well on his way to solving the mystery. But not before another body is found at the bottom of a well....

This is another pleasant mystery in the Littlejohn line-up. The Inspector is a good man who investigates at a steady pace and with little "flair" or excitement, but provides a nice comfortable story to follow. As with the previous novel, the major complaint is that there are too few suspects. There isn't much doubt after about half-way in who the main culprit is, but Bellairs provides a little bonus that makes it well worthwhile. These stories are perfect for when you don't want a complicated mystery--just a little puzzle and nice visit to Britain of the 1940s. There is also a thread of wry humor that runs throughout and makes things interesting. ★★★ and 1/2. [rounded up]

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks. ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Oct 05, 2018 SewingandCaring rated it liked it

Better than the last one, he remembered to bring the plot.

One thing that is like nails on a blackboard is that he only has four female characters which are repeated over and over again in every book in the Littlejohn series; faithful wife, slut, middle aged gossip, and HENPECKING EVIL NAG WIFE FROM HELL.

He seems to have been very happily married so I can only assume he had serious mummy issues.

4 likes · Like · see review

Jan 12, 2021 Laura Hannaway rated it really liked it

This was great.

This story is set during the Second World War and features Chief Inspector Littlejohn of Scotland Yard as the protagonist.

The story is set in a small Norfolk village where he has been called to consult.

Littlejohn isn’t flashy in the style of Sherlock Holmes, able to dazzles readers with his brilliant deductions. Instead he gathers evidence, sifts through it, looks for patterns, takes a wrong turn or two, before reaching a conclusion that is truly satisfying. Bellairs doesn’t try ...more

Like · see review

Sep 22, 2021 Jill rated it really liked it

Shelves: george-bellairs

The definition of a Quack at the time this was written, would seem to be different to what we understand it to be now. A quack back then referred to a bone setter and herbalist. The quack here was a medical worker who did not have the orthodox qualifications of a doctor but was a much respected man that people turned to when they needed treatment. It would seem that at times he was preferred to the village doctor, who was a drunk. The story brings in characters from outside the village where it ...more

Like · see review

Aug 03, 2018 John Frankham rated it really liked it

Shelves: crime-detective

Another most enjoyable Detective Inspector Littlejohn whodunnit from wartime. He is called in to investigate the murder by hanging of the (small) town bone-setter. A good range of characters and suspects, with the full-range of locals, from tramps, doctors, lawyers, maids, gardeners, etc. Full of wry and farcical humour and actions.

Like · see review