October 21 - Murder of a Quack - SPOILER Thread

[Susan]

Welcome to our October 21 Group Read The Murder of a Quack first published in 1943.

This mystery is also published in a double book collection: The Dead Shall be Raised & Murder of a Quack including The Dead Shall Be Raised, first published in 1942. If you have this version, we will be reading The Dead Shall be Raised as a Christmas buddy read, so both mysteries will be covered.

Back to The Murder of a Quack! Nathaniel Wall, the local quack doctor, is found hanging in his consulting room in the Norfolk village of Stalden, but this was not a suicide.

Against the backdrop of a close-knit country village, an intriguing story of ambition, blackmail, fraud, false alibis and botanical trickery unravels.

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

[Jill]

It would seem that a “quack” at the time this book was written did not mean the same as we would mean by it now. A quack back then meant a bone-setter, herbalist. We don’t get to meet this one as he dies at the very beginning. He was however very liked and respected by his village folk, and also others from far and wide. Chief Inspector Littlejohn interviews the villagers and picks up lots of gossip from the pub. Working with the local policeman, Littlejohn gathers enough evidence to bring an arrest, however he did step outside the law in obtaining this. I really have taken a liking to this detective.

[Susan in NC]

I think you pointed out somewhere, Jill, that it was interesting to see Littlejohn tackle two rather pompous, uncooperative suspects - not everyone scrambles to accommodate Scotland Yard! And even though he puts the local inspector at ease right away with his friendly, laid-back manner, he struggles with the shy, henpecked local constable! Enjoyable watching him work with the locals.

Yes, I was very intrigued by the quack, seems a real loss to the community- especially with that awful doctor, ugh! Nothing makes you feel so confident and safe, as smelling liquor on your doctor’s breath in the afternoon!

[Judy]

I've finished this one now and quite enjoyed it, especially the element of humour, although I found it a little dull at times. Some of the characters were rather two-dimensional and there weren't many suspects, and I was a bit disappointed by a gang being involved, although I didn't see the clever twist about the poisons/herbs coming.

Although this is set in the war, I didn't think there was all that much war-time atmosphere compared to some other authors, such as Lorac. But I realise that very probably readers wanted a bit of escapism and didn't want all books to be about the war, any more than we want to constantly read about Covid!

I'm reading the two-book edition - I've rated this one at 3* but may adjust depending on my thoughts on the other story at Christmas.

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "I've finished this one now and quite enjoyed it, especially the element of humour, although I found it a little dull at times. Some of the characters were rather two-dimensional and there weren't m..."

I felt there was more humor in the two other Littlejohn mysteries I’ve read, and I don’t know if it’s because I read it at Christmas the first time, but the other book really evoked wartime struggles, more sentimental Christmas and wartime feelings for me. I’ll be interested to reread a few years on, see how it strikes me.

[Sandy]

I really enjoyed reading book: warm characters I would like to know and a small village I would like to visit. This book probably benefited because my prior read forced me to spend time with people I didn't like at a function I would have hated. So I found Littlejohn a treat.

Parts of the book seemed quite familiar, especially the manner of and reason for the murderer's confession. Does anyone know what I might be confusing it with?

[Pamela]

I enjoyed this, I liked the humour and the little glimpses of life with the secondary characters - the Scotland Yard man who fell in love with the landlady, and the bellowing coroner!

I like Littlejohn too, this reminded me of Lorac with its warm and thorough detective, but with more humour. I agree with Judy, there wasn’t much written about the impact of the war on the village, but more when they talked about London (the newsagent being bombed for example). Maybe that reflected where the impact was being felt.

I have the double edition and need to read the other book before my Kindle Unlimited expires, so I’ll make some notes ready for that read.

[Jill]

Pamela wrote: "I enjoyed this, I liked the humour and the little glimpses of life with the secondary characters - the Scotland Yard man who fell in love with the landlady, and the bellowing coroner!

I like Littl..."

Yes I thought maybe the impact of the war being confined to London may have been that in 1943 when it was published the War was still going on and people may not have wanted to read too much about it. A bit like lots of us now don’t want to read pandemics at this time.

[Sandy]

I also have the double edition, though from the library, and plan to read the other book and take extensive notes.

[Michaela]

I liked this one very well with the different characters and the humour, so 4 stars, and will read the other of my double edition for Christmas, and then adapt the rating.

[Klowey]

I enjoyed this charming little mystery and would be up for reading the other story in the book, The Dead Shall Be Raised.

However, I give it 3* because I prefer mysteries with more suspects and that don't reveal the murderer so early.

[Judy]

Klowey, we are doing the second story as a buddy read in December if you fancy joining in then. :)

[Klowey]

Judy wrote: "Klowey, we are doing the second story as a buddy read in December if you fancy joining in then. :)"

Ah thank you. I will keep that in mind. Sounds very tempting.