James Anderson

THE AFFAIR OF THE BLOODSTAINED EGG COSY - James Anderson

Author Information
Book Title: 
The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cosy
Author Name: 
James Anderson
Author's Home Country: 
United Kingdom
Categorisation
Category: 
Crime Fiction
Sub Genre: 
Cosy
Country House
Special Interests: 
English Aristocracy
Location: 
United Kingdom
Publisher: 
Constable
Year of Publication: 
2009

The theft of the diamond necklace and the antique pistols might all be explained, but the body in the lake - that was a puzzle. "Don't expect me to solve anything," Inspector Wilkens announced modestly when he arrived to sort out the unpleasantness. And at a house party that included English aristocracy, foreign agents in disguise, a ravishing baroness, a daring jewel thief, a Texas millionaire, and of course, the imperturbable butler, it was going to take some intricate sleuthing to uncover who killed whom and why.

Book Review: 

Yes, yes, I know.  What am I doing reading a book like THE AFFAIR OF THE BLOODSTAINED EGG COSY.  In my defence I used to be quite a SPLASHER (4MA speak for somebody who reads a wide range of crime book "styles") although in recent years I will admit I've moved more and more to the dark side.  But every now and then I like a bit of a splash around in the lighter side of the genre, and I do rather like the eccentric side of the classic English country house sub-genre.  Chuck in a slightly batty Lord; an unflappable Lady; a house with secret passages; a poor cousin / secretary / jolly young thing girl; a bit of spying and/or intrigue; an imperious butler; an exotic unknown female and some dashing around in the dark, and well I can be quite happy.  Provided it's all done rather well, and doesn't veer too much into cartoon territory.  Which THE AFFAIR OF THE BLOODSTAINED EGG COSY (henceforth to be known as THE AFFAIR ETC) avoids nicely.

Originally written in 1975, THE AFFAIR ETC has a very authentic 1930's feeling to it.  And just the slightest dash of lunacy about it.  The biggest part of the action takes place on one night, when there's a woman screaming; somebody gets locked in a linen closest; one man goes missing (his dead body shows up the next morning in the lake outside the house); one valuable necklace is stolen; the exotic female goes missing; alarms go off; people rush around; and a lot of stuff goes bump in the night whilst nobody thinks to turn on the lights.  All of which culminates in the arrival of a very self-effacing detective, who seems to think he's been promoted above his abilities, and mostly seems to do his detecting by standing around and waiting for others to stick their feet in it... so to speak.

There's also a bit of business to do with a famous pair of guns; a famous gun collection; and a dirty, bloodstained egg cosy in the lavender bushes.  Now it goes without saying that we're talking a very busy plot here, delivered with just a hint of really good farce.  This is the second book from the Burford Family mysteries (actually the first in the series I believe) that I've read and I've got to say I really like these books.  Light-hearted, enormously batty, good humoured and very entertaining, THE AFFAIR ETC is incredibly complicated.  You'll be doing better than me if you can work out what's going on for most of the time, but I hope, like me, you really not going to care and just enjoy being very entertained.

Currently Reading - The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cosy, James Anderson

Submitted by Karen on

Book Title: 
The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cosy
Author Name: 
James Anderson

An ebook I've been dipping into on and off for a while now (one of my waiting room options), this is another story in the Burford Family Mysteries - classically set in the large Country Home of the 1930s.

From the Blurb:

THE AFFAIR OF THE MUTILATED MINK - James Anderson

Author Information
Book Title: 
The Affair of the Mutilated Mink
Author Name: 
James Anderson
Author's Home Country: 
United Kingdom
ISBN: 
9780749080709
Series: 
Earl of Burford
Categorisation
Category: 
Crime Fiction
Sub Genre: 
Historical
Publisher: 
Allison & Busby
Year of Publication: 
2008

Book Review: 

It's really easy for latter day homages to early 1930's / 1940's arch, drawing room style comedies or take offs to overdo it to the point where it's cartoonish.  THE AFFAIR OF THE MUTILATED MINK doesn't overdo it, but on the other hand it doesn't under deliver on a slightly comic (tongue in cheek) murder drama in the realms of high British aristocracy.
 
The Earl of Burford is a recent convert to the joys of the cinematographic entertainment and he's more than a bit chuffed at the Hollywood crowd arriving.  He doesn't even mind the eccentric screenwriter who invites his own secretary along - even though he's an odd sort of a cove.  Of course neither the Earl or the Countess are convinced about Gerry's plan of inviting both her suitors for a close up comparison - but who can talk Gerry out of anything.  Catching up with the long-lost cousin and her husband, recently returned from Australia are about the only thing that the Countess can look forward to, whilst the Earl is starting to worry about the history of large house parties at Alderley - seems they have a bit of an history.  With the arrival of the totally unexpected Great Italian Actress and the equally early arrival of the very effacing librarian; the party is primed and starting to feel the tension rise.  Then a death occurs (of course!).
 
The murder is being ably investigated by local Inspector Wilkins - who has been involved in mysterious deaths at Alderley in the past.  He's been doing an admirable job, but in "rides" Allgood of the Yard.  Allgood is here to save the day and solve the puzzle, being a master detective and all round genius (definitely a legend in his own notebooks!)
 
In this mix of characters there are more daring deeds, bad 'uns, nefarious goings on, creeping around in the dead of night, cheating, snooping, lying, ducking and weaving than you'd think possible to fit into 350 pages.  It's a nicely complex plot which doesn't ever become overly complicated and there's some fun twists on the standard of the final "everybody in the drawing room" conclusion.
 
At the end of the day Merryweather saves the day - now you'll have to read the book to find out which day!
 

Currently Reading - The Affair of the Mutilated Mink, James Anderson

Submitted by Karen on

Book Title: 
The Affair of the Mutilated Mink
Author Name: 
James Anderson

By the author of The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cosy (which you really want to get just for the title!) The Affair of the Mutilated Mink.

Now for those that think I've finally gone barking mad as this doesn't sound like my normal fare, this is a fabulous, tongue in cheek yoicks tally ho and away style which is frightfully funny (donchaknow) - well it is to me at least.  And they are very entertaining books into the bargain.  Of course it's all just ever so slightly over the top (and I have to say, one of the nicest  dust jacket designs I've seen in a while.)

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