I am delighted to say that the books being rediscovered and reprinted by the wonderful British Library keep on coming. So many of the author's names are familiar to me from my days working in the library system when I used to shelve yards of books. I remember Michael Gilbert well and can even visualise the covers of some of the titles. Odd how things stick with you.
Three of the Gilbert stories arrived on my doorstep. I have read two and rather than wait until the third decided to post about them now as I am not sure when I will get round to the last one of the trio.
Horniman, Birley and Craine is a highly respected legal firm with clients drawn from the highest in the land. Therefore, when a deed box is opened to reveal a corpse, the threat of a scandal promises to cause them severe problems, particularly as it soon becomes clear that this is an inside job.
I found myself immediately delighted with the wit and style with which this book is written. "It was commonly believed in the office that once, just before the turn of the present century, one of Abel Horniman's leases had the signature eaten off by a mouse, a mishap which gave rise to expensive litigation in the Chancery Division. Accordingly, he sat down and devised the Horniman dust proof, moisture proof, air proof and, indeed, mouse proof deedbox"
An investigation into the books of the firm uncovers irregularities which is is likely that Smallbone discovered and made his removal a matter of urgency.
The policeman in charge of this investigation is Inspector Hazelrigg and he is assisted by Henry Bohun, an acquaintance of his who just happens to have started working at the firm and is very pleased to be his Watson. Another murder takes place, as in all good mysteries and the list of suspects narrows to just a few partners/employees. I have to say that I usually guess the identity of the murderer in detective stories as I have read so many, but this time I did not and was totally surprised when the culprit was unmasked.
I just finished this yesterday, in fact sat up late to finish it. Victoria Lamartine, a hotel worker and ex French Resistance fighter is the only suspect for the murder of her supposed lover Major Eric Thoseby, who once escaped from the clutches of the Gestapo. They arrange to meet at the hotel where she works and she is discovered standing over his body and a knife covered in her fingerprints shoved down the side of a chair.
When Victoria discoveres that her Counsel has based their defence on the fact that she was seduced and abandoned by the victim and leniency should be offered, she changes her lawyers as she is deterimined to plead Not Guilty with no extenuating circumstances.
Now I love court room scenes and there are plenty in this story. I love the elegantly phrased opening statements "I will now run briefly through the course of events reminding you first that the facts which I shall set out are not simply my version of my opinion of what hppened................if I make any statement that is not supported I feel confident tht eminent counsel for the defence will be the first to draw you attention to my oversight. Mr Summers inclined his head graciously"
Wonderful stuff. The ins and outs of the motive and its discovery lead back to war time France and it all gets a bit convoluted towards the end and I had to concentrate like mad to keep abreast of what was going on but it was worth it. As with Smallbone Deceased written in an ironic and slightly sardonic style which I really enjoyed.
Another two gems. Thank you British Library!
