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wyvernfriend's review against another edition
3.0
While it is an interesting mystery, it mostly concerns the lawyer Robert Blair and his growth as a person and his asking of questions about the rut he's in.
The mystery at the centre, and the catalyst for change, is a accusation of beating and kidnapping on the part of two reclusive women, one of whom attracts Robert. But who is right and who is wrong? It's more racist than sexist but it is reflective of the time. I often tell people who wonder what life was like at a certain time to read contemporary fiction, it offers an insight into the psyche of the time that is often interesting and instructive.
The world it shows is quite stratified and quite strange to modern eyes and some of the description shows the bias of the author. But it was interesting, not as much for the mystery, but for the characters.
The mystery at the centre, and the catalyst for change, is a accusation of beating and kidnapping on the part of two reclusive women, one of whom attracts Robert. But who is right and who is wrong? It's more racist than sexist but it is reflective of the time. I often tell people who wonder what life was like at a certain time to read contemporary fiction, it offers an insight into the psyche of the time that is often interesting and instructive.
The world it shows is quite stratified and quite strange to modern eyes and some of the description shows the bias of the author. But it was interesting, not as much for the mystery, but for the characters.
sandranir's review against another edition
4.0
I've never heard of this author so I'm really glad to have discovered her with this book.
This is a fantastic, historical mystery novel that has a great intrigue and endearing characters that makes it a really good cozy mystery.
I will definitely look up the other books written by this author.
This is a fantastic, historical mystery novel that has a great intrigue and endearing characters that makes it a really good cozy mystery.
I will definitely look up the other books written by this author.
idesofmarch's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Racism, Kidnapping, and Classism
csw217's review against another edition
5.0
This was so delightful! It is very old fashioned but the characters and plot stood the test of time. There were marvelous asides that had a lot of insight into human nature.
bibliopeca's review against another edition
3.0
No está mal. Josephine Tey sabe muy bien cómo describir personajes y consigue meter de lleno al lector en el ambiente de la novela. Sin embargo, para ser novela de intriga, el final me ha dejado un poco fría, esperaba un último giro sorprendente de la trama del estilo de Agatha Christie.
mlcf's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
lilylanie's review against another edition
3.0
I learned about Josephine Tey by accident, I think it might have been on Wikipedia, and was intrigued by the description of her mystery novels. Her first novel was published in 1929, and she wrote 8 or 9 books before her death in 1952.
I chose to start with her book The Franchise Affair because it was one of the few that wasn't part of her serial involving the character Inspector Grant (actually he does have a bit part in this book, but there's no background about him per se), and because it was described as one of her best.
The book has that early-20th-Century-British feel about it, making it seem a little more antiquated than the same era in North America would, with lots of interesting turns of phrase. I would definitely describe it as 'quaint', and of course there is a great deal of description and dialogue with relatively little action. Fortunately I like that sort of book on occasion, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It has that key element of likeable characters - the two mistresses of estate called The Franchise are very strange and not entirely friendly, and yet you can't help but like them. And their lawyer, the leading man of the novel, is not entirely exciting, but certainly sympathetic.
I will definitely be looking for more Josephine Tey mysteries.
I chose to start with her book The Franchise Affair because it was one of the few that wasn't part of her serial involving the character Inspector Grant (actually he does have a bit part in this book, but there's no background about him per se), and because it was described as one of her best.
The book has that early-20th-Century-British feel about it, making it seem a little more antiquated than the same era in North America would, with lots of interesting turns of phrase. I would definitely describe it as 'quaint', and of course there is a great deal of description and dialogue with relatively little action. Fortunately I like that sort of book on occasion, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It has that key element of likeable characters - the two mistresses of estate called The Franchise are very strange and not entirely friendly, and yet you can't help but like them. And their lawyer, the leading man of the novel, is not entirely exciting, but certainly sympathetic.
I will definitely be looking for more Josephine Tey mysteries.
rosekk's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not a regular reader of detective novels, but I enjoyed this one. The characters in it were interesting and easy to latch on to, and while the plot rested on a neat explanation of how the crime went ahead, it found time for a bit of satire and social commentary. Occasionally it strayed into being a bit too 1940s (the suggestion that a criminal can be spotted by the colour and setting of their eyes, for instance), but if you can overlook the foibles of the period it's enjoyable.
iceangel9's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The third in the historical fiction Inspector Grant mystery series. Robert Blair is a solicitor in a small English village. He receives a call from Marian Sharpe, a woman who lives with her mother in a run down home. These reclusive women want him to come over right away as they have been accused of kidnapping and abusing a young woman named Betty Kane. They swear they have never seen the girl before, but she describes the ladies and their home so perfectly the police believe her. Inspector Grant is on the case, but plays almost no role in this installment. This is a wonderful mystery with so many twists and turns. This book is a Reader's Corner Highly Recommended read, even if you haven't read anything else in the series - this stand alone is a gem.
tomleetang's review against another edition
3.0
Repetitive in its phrasing and decidedly old fashioned, but a nifty little mystery that offers something diverting and original.