Bats in the Belfry: A London Mystery (British Library Crime Classics)

by E C R Lorac

Bruce Attleton dazzled London's literary scene with his first two novels – but his early promise did not bear fruit. His wife Sybilla is a glittering actress, unforgiving of Bruce's failure, and the couple lead separate lives in their house at Regent's Park. When Bruce is called away on a sudden trip to Paris, he vanishes completely – until his suitcase and passport are found in a sinister artist's studio, the Belfry, in a crumbling house in Notting Hill. Inspector Macdonald must uncover Bruce's secrets, and find out the identity of his mysterious blackmailer. This intricate mystery from a classic writer is set in a superbly evoked London of the 1930s.

• ISBN13: 9780712352550
• Publish Date: 10 January 2018
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: British Library Publishing
• Imprint: The British Library Publishing Division
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 240
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Bats in the Belfry is a re-release of a classic golden age mystery by E.C.R. Lorac published in the British Library Crime Classics series by Poisoned Pen Press.

I must admit I was unfamiliar with this gem of an author going into this book. I had taken a chance on poisoned pen titles before and I hadn't got a 'stinker' yet in the crime classics series (highly recommended), so I requested it and I'm so glad I did.

For fans of classic British golden age mysteries this one has it all. The characters are charming and well written with a touch of wry humour. I absolutely love interwar mysteries. There's a sort of lack of cynicism and guile which is missing from later periods. This isn't gritty. It isn't even particularly realistic... there's a LOT of is he/isn't he... with red herrings and potentially fake beards galore. I found myself giving up trying to figure out 'whodunnit' and just really enjoying the read.

I enjoyed the diverting plot, somewhat silly characters and mixed up clues. The pacing was a trifle slow compared to 'modern' procedurals and gritty crime novels, but perfectly within acceptable parameters considering the time period. It's a book to be enjoyed and, yes, savored a bit.

The place setting (London and environs) was a tangible part of the book and very well written.

Just a wonderful undiscovered (for me) gem. Enjoyed it very very much!

Available in ebook and paperback in this edition (also hardbound originals, apparently).

Four and a half stars. Enjoyed it enough that I'm making an effort to locate and read her other works- high praise indeed from me since my TBR pile is neverending.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.