With a Bare Bodkin (Francis Pettigrew #2) - SPOILER Thread - (August/Sept 22)

[Susan]

Welcome to our Aug/Sept 22 buddy read of With a Bare Bodkin The second book in the Francis Pettigrew series this was first published in 1946.

It is the Second World War and the Blitz has forced the evacuation of various Government offices from London. Francis Pettigrew accompanies his ministry to the distant seaside resort of Marsett Bay where the civil servants must make the best of their temporary home. A lighthearted game of 'plan the perfect murder' starts and Pettigrew remains detached from the silliness - until a real murder happens.

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

[Jill]

I liked this more than the first in the series, as we get to know more about Pettigrew. The setting was well done, showing the war admin wanted every thing done in triplicate at the least, and how the system made sure every one knew their place. The boarding house was a good way of getting the mixture of characters together, including the author of crime books, and I think this was where Hare managed to get in some fun. The romantic theme also running through it, helped to keep it light.

[Susan in NC]

I found Pettigrew’s marriage proposal at the very end utterly charming and hilarious!

[Susan]

Boarding houses are often good settings, aren't they? I couldn't understand why 'poisonous young Rickaby' was there, though. Too young to be called up, perhaps?

[Susan in NC]

Susan wrote: "Boarding houses are often good settings, aren't they? I couldn't understand why 'poisonous young Rickaby' was there, though. Too young to be called up, perhaps?"

That did seem suspicious, and at one point when he’s being particularly stubborn, Mallet basically threatens him, if investigation goes on, the powers that be might question why he’s not enlisted… draft dodger?

[Jill]

That didn't occur to me but could be. I thought he was just there to show it was a random collection

[Roman Clodia]

Loved this and thought Hare created a wonderfully gossipy world with the dual locations of Pin Control and the boarding house.

There wasn't much investigation but so much else going on with the characters that I didn't mind. The idea of someone writing a murder mystery that then comes true is a trope of the genre but it worked especially well here mixed up with the office politics.

The proposal at the end took me by surprise but it was delightful. And lovely to know that Francis will have a wife to put an end to his loneliness. Will she support his future investigations too, I wonder?

[Rosina]

Susan in NC wrote: "Susan wrote: "Boarding houses are often good settings, aren't they? I couldn't understand why 'poisonous young Rickaby' was there, though. Too young to be called up, perhaps?"

That did seem suspic..."

Rickaby was employed in a Government Office, so I doubt if he was, strictly speaking, a draft dodger. He may have had a medical exemption - he doesn't seem to be of high enough status to get away with pulling influential strings. My father (who was in his early 30s at the start of the war) wasn't called up until the Blitz was well underway, so possibly about the same time as this book. He had tried to volunteer earlier, but been rejected for obesity and flat feet ... (or so he always said). Once called up he was posted to the Pay Corps, and never went further afield than Sidcup.

[Susan in NC]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Loved this and thought Hare created a wonderfully gossipy world with the dual locations of Pin Control and the boarding house.

There wasn't much investigation but so much else going on with the c..."

I look forward to future books to see how she fits in - she seems a clear-eyed, intelligent young woman, very practical, seems like she’d be a good Watson, or at least sounding board.

[Judy]

I've just finished this - I enjoyed it a lot although I think the culprit seemed likely quite early on, given his romantic rivalry with Pettigrew and the suspicions over the life insurance.

I find it a bit hard to believe that it would ever have been possible to prove a will without having to produce a death certificate, but, as a lawyer, I take it Cyril Hare knew his stuff!

[Rosina]

I thought it was going to be another murder mystery turning on the impossibility of divorcing a mentally ill wife - not just a fairly innocuous bit of premature probate!

[Carolien]

I enjoyed this one very much. I agree there was basically only one suspect at the end, but the setting was interesting. And his proposal was totally Pettigrew and very charming! I hope we see more of Eleanor.

[ChrisGA]

I too relished the humor and absurdity; but by ± p. 90 when everyone was creeping about the office rehearsing the murder, I grew impatient with the silliness. I just wanted hurry the plot along. It was certainly a satirical look at governmental, useless redundancy and the ridiculous waste of time spent in nit-picking..

[Sandy]

I liked this book very much and never expected the marriage proposal at the end. I wonder if this will affect his love of travelling the circuit or will Eleanor be allowed to travel with him, perhaps even as secretary (there is a war and Rosie the Riveter will be on the scene soon). Pettigrew is a wonderful character; he seems so very normal and unassuming.

[Sid]

I enjoyed this a lot, too. I loved the witty style, the neat satirical background of government bureaucracy and enjoyed the characters, too. The plot was decent - but then, I'm much less fussed about plot than the style, characters and so on in books like this. Hare fooled me with the suspect. I thought Philips too obvious and had my eye on poor, innocent Miss Brown. Mind you, I should have known that in the 40s especially, a surprisingly attractive and quietly intelligent gel would be the subject of romance rather than a killer.

My review, if interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...