Thanks to the British Library Crime Classics, it is time to discover yet another prolific author from the golden age of detective fiction. George Bellairs worked in a bank all his life and wrote 40+ mystery novels in his spare time. Isn’t that something? This particular book was first published during World War II. Death of a Busybody book follows DI Littlejohn when Miss Tither if found dead in a cesspool.
Death of a Busybody
Author: George Bellairs
Paperback: 199 pages
ISBN: 1464207364, 978-1464207365
Death of a Busybody Book Plot
Hilary Magna is your typical British village with the usual cast of characters. There is a vicar and there is a busybody who is a bit sanctimonious. She is found dead in a cesspool. Since plenty of village people hated her, anyone could be the culprit. Scotland Yard is called in and Detective Inspector Littlejohn arrives on scene.
We find the old lady was loaded. Most of her money was going to a nephew who was a missionary in the South Seas. Or so he said. Turns out he’s just an agent of some kind. The maid’s got a nice packet coming to her too. There are other people who could have taken revenge on the woman for ruining their lives.
With some good police work and investigation, new bits and pieces of information come to light. Death of a Busybody will keep readers guessing and turning pages until the end. Some characters seem impossible to us in current times. Like the couple who hate each other but stay together, waiting for the other to die. Wouldn’t a modern couple just split up? Maybe not!
Death of a Busybody Book Review
I liked the character of the local constable more than that of Littlejohn. I think the Inspector didn’t really have much opportunity to shine here. Maybe that changes in the other books. Readers will find themselves smiling without warning. The wit or humor is subtle and most unexpected, but very welcome. Overall, Death of a Busybody book is a good read for all mystery lovers.