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mystereity's review against another edition
5.0
See my full review at Mystereity Reviews
In the affluent neighborhood of Cheltenham Square, things aren't as harmonious as it seems. The ten houses are host to simmering rivalries, anger, and hatred that lead to a shocking death. Superintendent Meredith is visiting Cheltenham Square for a few days with his friend Barnet, and is quickly pressed into service to assist the local force in investigating the perplexing killing. With several obvious suspects, they begin to think that the killing was mistaken identity, particularly when the only witness to the crime is killed in the same fashion. Together, Meredith and Long set out to solve what appears to be an impossible crime.
I really enjoyed The Cheltenham Square Murder, it was an entertaining, complex mystery, with all the charm of 1930s England, the time when this book was written. With a quick pace and a baffling plot, this locked room mystery, set in a small square in England, has several obvious suspects with several good motives and iron-clad alibis. Combined with the bonhomie between Long and Meredith (no inter-departmental rivalry here!) it was an exceptionally delightful and intriguing read.
Overall, The Cheltenham Square Murder is an excellent classic mystery that will entrance and ensnare any fan of mysteries, particularly fans of classic mysteries.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in return for my honest review.
In the affluent neighborhood of Cheltenham Square, things aren't as harmonious as it seems. The ten houses are host to simmering rivalries, anger, and hatred that lead to a shocking death. Superintendent Meredith is visiting Cheltenham Square for a few days with his friend Barnet, and is quickly pressed into service to assist the local force in investigating the perplexing killing. With several obvious suspects, they begin to think that the killing was mistaken identity, particularly when the only witness to the crime is killed in the same fashion. Together, Meredith and Long set out to solve what appears to be an impossible crime.
I really enjoyed The Cheltenham Square Murder, it was an entertaining, complex mystery, with all the charm of 1930s England, the time when this book was written. With a quick pace and a baffling plot, this locked room mystery, set in a small square in England, has several obvious suspects with several good motives and iron-clad alibis. Combined with the bonhomie between Long and Meredith (no inter-departmental rivalry here!) it was an exceptionally delightful and intriguing read.
Overall, The Cheltenham Square Murder is an excellent classic mystery that will entrance and ensnare any fan of mysteries, particularly fans of classic mysteries.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in return for my honest review.
infosifter's review against another edition
3.0
Ordinarily if a murder is committed with a bow and arrow the field of suspects would be narrowed considerably, but not in this classic case. The people of Cheltenham Square are mad for archery, and all the suspects belong to the local archery club. The local police Inspector is a bit of a bungler, so it's a good thing that police superintendent Meredith is visiting the neighborhood. Although inspector long doesn't have much of an imagination, he is humble enough to except help so the two of them set out to solve this puzzling double murder case.
vesper1931's review against another edition
3.0
In Regency Square in Cheltenham with its diverse characters the last thing the residents would expect to happen was a murder. And an unusual one at that - an arrow through the head. As Superintendent Meredith is staying with one of the residents and is first on the scene he takes charge.
It did seem to take them quite a while to find the guilty party, given the descriptions we were given I would have thought the solution would have come quicker but still an interesting mystery.
A NetGalley Book
It did seem to take them quite a while to find the guilty party, given the descriptions we were given I would have thought the solution would have come quicker but still an interesting mystery.
A NetGalley Book
briarfairchild's review against another edition
3.0
This was fine but not great. The mystery itself was quite good and well told. The problem for me was that there isn't any character the reader can identify with and see the mystery through the eyes of. I think it's supposed to be Meredith, but there's absolutely nothing interesting about his character: all he does is think about the murder and try to solve it. If ever there was a two-dimensional character it's him! Inspector Long certainly has a more interesting character but he's also a total idiot and it's hard to see how on earth he managed to gain a promotion to Inspector. He's completely unenthusiastic about solving crimes, he is apparently incapable of interviewing women, he constantly puts his constable down (his constable being far more intelligent and interesting than him but sadly rarely appearing in the book). He's basically the worst policeman ever. I liked Miss Booth a lot; she seemed genuinely interesting but, again, rarely appeared. So, moderately enjoyable but ultimately rather disappointing.
depizan's review against another edition
3.0
Really more of a police procedural than a mystery, since we follow the police investigation and find things out as they do. Though the puzzling murder is definitely a golden age mystery sort of thing.
claire1044's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
jennyanydots's review against another edition
4.0
I've read a few of the British Library reissues of classic crime novels now, and they're generally intelligently plotted, not too gruesome, and pretty well written. This is no exception to that pattern, and it was also very strongly located in its setting. It was a really enjoyable, fast read, with some twists and turns and an enjoyable protagonist. One of those with a seemingly impossible crime and a large group of suspects who all had a motive.