In With a Bare Bodkin (1946) Cyril Hare (nom de plume of Alfred Gordon Clark) revived the character of Francis Pettigrew, the barrister and amateur sleuth introduced to us in 1942's Tragedy at Law.
The Blitz has forced the evacuation of various government offices from London and Pettigrew accompanies his ministry to the distant seaside resort of Marsett Bay. In this strange atmosphere, Pettigrew begins to fall in love with his secretary, who is also being courted by a widowed man much older than her. Bored and restless, the ministers start playing a light-hearted game of 'Plan the perfect murder' to pass the time. Pettigrew is detached from the silliness - until a real murder happens, and he is drawn into solving the mystery.
'One of the best detective stories published for a long time.' Spectator
- ISBN10 0060805234
- ISBN13 9780060805234
- Publish Date 1 December 1980
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 28 October 2015
- Publish Country US
- Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
- Imprint Collins
- Format Paperback (US Mass Market)
- Pages 224
- Language English