An Inspector Littlejohn Mystery
15 primary works • 31 total works
Littlejohn takes on an apparent serial killer who is stalking the residents of a once-sleepy village. "The place is dead now at night. It's like it was in wartime. As soon as night falls, you don't know what's going to happen."
When Samuel Bracknell is found dead in his home with a knife in his back, the third murder of its kind in as many weeks, the population of Carleton Unthank is left shivering in their beds.
Superintendent Littlejohn arrives to investigate and is sickened to hear that all three crimes were committed with the same knife. Why then was the knife was left in Bracknell's body? Was the murderer disturbed - or is it a sign of something more sinister?
When a fourth body turns up, this one an apparent suicide, Littlejohn is baffled. What is going on in Carleton Unthank? The once sleepy village is gaining a ghoulish reputation as The Town of Fearful Nights and the threat of another murder looms each time the sun sets. Littlejohn faces sleep deprived residents, no clues, and a race against the clock to prevent the body count rising any further.
Death in the Fearful Night is the seventeenth title in Agora's Inspector Littlejohn Mysteries.
Reviews
'One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'Mr Bellairs always gives good value' - The Sunday Times
'Pure British detective story' - The New York Times
When Samuel Bracknell is found dead in his home with a knife in his back, the third murder of its kind in as many weeks, the population of Carleton Unthank is left shivering in their beds.
Superintendent Littlejohn arrives to investigate and is sickened to hear that all three crimes were committed with the same knife. Why then was the knife was left in Bracknell's body? Was the murderer disturbed - or is it a sign of something more sinister?
When a fourth body turns up, this one an apparent suicide, Littlejohn is baffled. What is going on in Carleton Unthank? The once sleepy village is gaining a ghoulish reputation as The Town of Fearful Nights and the threat of another murder looms each time the sun sets. Littlejohn faces sleep deprived residents, no clues, and a race against the clock to prevent the body count rising any further.
Death in the Fearful Night is the seventeenth title in Agora's Inspector Littlejohn Mysteries.
Reviews
'One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'Mr Bellairs always gives good value' - The Sunday Times
'Pure British detective story' - The New York Times
A prominent doctor is found murdered in a secret room in his own home in this classic mystery. Upper Square is the final stronghold of snobbery in Abbot's Caldicott and home to the last remnants of once-great families. When Doctor Beharrell's body is found in his house on the square, Superintendent Littlejohn is called to investigate.
But before he can solve the case, and leave Caldicott behind him, he must navigate the town's most illustrious residents... and the secrets, rivalry, long-held hatred, and madness they bring with them.
Death Sends for the Doctor is the eleventh title in Agora's Inspector Littlejohn Mysteries.
Reviews
Pure British Detective Story" The New York Times
"Another great book in the Littlejohn series, and like all of these this one is unique, none are alike." Amazon Reviewer
"Brilliant" -Amazon Reviewer
But before he can solve the case, and leave Caldicott behind him, he must navigate the town's most illustrious residents... and the secrets, rivalry, long-held hatred, and madness they bring with them.
Death Sends for the Doctor is the eleventh title in Agora's Inspector Littlejohn Mysteries.
Reviews
Pure British Detective Story" The New York Times
"Another great book in the Littlejohn series, and like all of these this one is unique, none are alike." Amazon Reviewer
"Brilliant" -Amazon Reviewer
Dr. James Macintosh, the Bishop of Greyle, was a mysterious man; for a long time, nobody even knew his last name. But things take a turn for the bizarre when his body is found emaciated and battered having being pushed face-first off the edge of a cliff...Inspector Littlejohn faces an incredibly peculiar case. How to explain the savage murder of a gentle Bishop? Did he know too much about the secretive citizens of Cape Marvin, the seaside resort of his murder? Or did the reason have something to do with the strange family he had left behind in Medhope? Above all, why was the Bishop's body so undernourished that death by violence won out by only a few days over death by starvation?
A murder and a missing body interrupt a getaway in the south of France... Waldo and Averil Keelagher's holiday is ruined when Waldo's unbearable uncle joins them in the south of France. Not long after their arrival on the Riviera, however, they're relieved of their unwelcome guest when Waldo finds Uncle George dead in the wasteland of the Esterel.
Panicking, the couple pack the body into the back of their car and rush to the nearest police station in Cannes. Things take a turn for the peculiar when, after reporting the crime, the couple return to the car to find it has been stolen - with George's body still inside.
Superintendent Littlejohn, who happens to be on holiday nearby, soon finds himself caught up in one of his most complicated and unorthodox cases yet...
Death in the Wasteland is the twentieth title in Agora's Inspector Littlejohn Mysteries.
Reviews
'One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'Mr Bellairs always gives good value' - The Sunday Times
'Pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'George Bellairs never lets his readers down' - Amazon Review
'Just what you need your on holiday' - Amazon Review
'Cracking read, highly recommended.' - Amazon Review
Panicking, the couple pack the body into the back of their car and rush to the nearest police station in Cannes. Things take a turn for the peculiar when, after reporting the crime, the couple return to the car to find it has been stolen - with George's body still inside.
Superintendent Littlejohn, who happens to be on holiday nearby, soon finds himself caught up in one of his most complicated and unorthodox cases yet...
Death in the Wasteland is the twentieth title in Agora's Inspector Littlejohn Mysteries.
Reviews
'One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'Mr Bellairs always gives good value' - The Sunday Times
'Pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'George Bellairs never lets his readers down' - Amazon Review
'Just what you need your on holiday' - Amazon Review
'Cracking read, highly recommended.' - Amazon Review
Against the background of fascinating Provence, a fantastic case is solved. Chief Inspector Littlejohn is sent to France to make informal enquiries about a motor accident. But his job is not easy, for he finds himself amongst the sombre, secretive inhabitants of St. Marcellin, a dying French village in the mountains of High Provence. Dominated by the aristocratic Monsieur le Marquis, the village obstructs his every move. But they had under-estimated the kindly, courteous Littlejohn.
Death in High Provence is the tenth title in Agora's Inspector Littlejohn Mysteries.
Reviews
"One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story" - The New York Times
"Mr Bellairs always gives good value" - The Sunday Times
"Pure British detective story" - The New York Times
"George Bellairs deserves to be much more well known, an excellent writer of proper well written and well crafted detective stories.I cant wait to read my next one." Amazon Reviewer
Death in High Provence is the tenth title in Agora's Inspector Littlejohn Mysteries.
Reviews
"One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story" - The New York Times
"Mr Bellairs always gives good value" - The Sunday Times
"Pure British detective story" - The New York Times
"George Bellairs deserves to be much more well known, an excellent writer of proper well written and well crafted detective stories.I cant wait to read my next one." Amazon Reviewer
A corpse in a country house brings Scotland Yard to an eerily quiet English village, in this tale by a master of British mystery. Cyril Savage has inherited the home of his wealthy and estranged aunt. But before Savage has the chance to discover her fortune, he is struck dead in the cellar of this once grand country house in the strange, nearly deserted village of Plumpton Bois.
The police are baffled and-unable to unearth a motive, let alone a killer-call for the assistance of Scotland Yard. Inspector Littlejohn and Inspector Cromwell arrive in Plumpton Bois and find the village, the family, and the house itself full of secrets.
The door to a locked room has been bashed open. Savage's aunt is not nearly as rich as she seemed to be. And now, another body has turned up on Littlejohn's watch...
Intruder in the Dark is the twenty-third title in Agora's Inspector Littlejohn Mysteries.
Reviews'One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'Mr Bellairs always gives good value' - The Sunday Times
'Pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'I loved the small town vibe and pace of the mystery.' - E. F. Sunland, NetGalley Reviewer
"These classics of the British mystery genre will live forever. I will certainly read more of the Littlejohn and Cromwell series." - Joyce, NetGalley Reviewer
'One of the more satisfying reads I've had from this series - a strong recommend.' - Vanessa, NetGalley Reviewer
The police are baffled and-unable to unearth a motive, let alone a killer-call for the assistance of Scotland Yard. Inspector Littlejohn and Inspector Cromwell arrive in Plumpton Bois and find the village, the family, and the house itself full of secrets.
The door to a locked room has been bashed open. Savage's aunt is not nearly as rich as she seemed to be. And now, another body has turned up on Littlejohn's watch...
Intruder in the Dark is the twenty-third title in Agora's Inspector Littlejohn Mysteries.
Reviews'One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'Mr Bellairs always gives good value' - The Sunday Times
'Pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'I loved the small town vibe and pace of the mystery.' - E. F. Sunland, NetGalley Reviewer
"These classics of the British mystery genre will live forever. I will certainly read more of the Littlejohn and Cromwell series." - Joyce, NetGalley Reviewer
'One of the more satisfying reads I've had from this series - a strong recommend.' - Vanessa, NetGalley Reviewer
A death in a secretive family, a violent gang, and no witnesses leaves Littlejohn head to head with a formidable matriarch. When the police are called to a fire in the isolated farm of Great Lands, they discover the dead body of Harry Quill next to his unconscious wife. It appears Mrs. Quill burned stacks of hay to raise the alarm, but she dies in hospital before she can give a statement.
Chief Superintendent Littlejohn and Inspector Cromwell are assigned to the double murder, believing it to be the work of a notorious gang. However, it becomes apparent that the gang in question - the Black Lot - were arrested the night of the Quill's death. Could there still be a link between the Black Lot and the Quills? The Quill family is old and widespread and keep their secrets close.
The Superintendent is determined to uncover Harry's killer, but soon finds himself in a battle involving crafty lawyers and reticent family members.What are the Quills hiding? Why are they so determined to keep Littlejohn in the dark?
Death in Desolation is the twenty-fourth title in Agora's Inspector Littlejohn Mysteries.
Reviews
'One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'Mr Bellairs always gives good value' - The Sunday Times
'Pure British detective story' - The New York Times
Chief Superintendent Littlejohn and Inspector Cromwell are assigned to the double murder, believing it to be the work of a notorious gang. However, it becomes apparent that the gang in question - the Black Lot - were arrested the night of the Quill's death. Could there still be a link between the Black Lot and the Quills? The Quill family is old and widespread and keep their secrets close.
The Superintendent is determined to uncover Harry's killer, but soon finds himself in a battle involving crafty lawyers and reticent family members.What are the Quills hiding? Why are they so determined to keep Littlejohn in the dark?
Death in Desolation is the twenty-fourth title in Agora's Inspector Littlejohn Mysteries.
Reviews
'One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'Mr Bellairs always gives good value' - The Sunday Times
'Pure British detective story' - The New York Times
A murder in plain sight brings Scotland Yard to investigate family secrets in a sleepy village in Leicestershire.
Ned Bunn wasn’t a popular member of the community of Enderby. There were people who had wished him dead.
But when he is murdered on the doorstep of his own shop there’s a terrible outcry, the community is in shock. Littlejohn of Scotland Yard investigates the case and finds there are some startling revelations about Bunn and his family, before the murderer is finally tracked down.
Corpses in Enderby was first published in 1960.
Ned Bunn wasn’t a popular member of the community of Enderby. There were people who had wished him dead.
But when he is murdered on the doorstep of his own shop there’s a terrible outcry, the community is in shock. Littlejohn of Scotland Yard investigates the case and finds there are some startling revelations about Bunn and his family, before the murderer is finally tracked down.
Corpses in Enderby was first published in 1960.
Scotland Yard takes on a murder case that may have international implications... During a police conference in Geneva, a detective assigned to the personal safety of the British Minister of Security is murdered.His body is found in a car that has been left in a rose garden. The car in question happened to be hired by none other than Superintendent Littlejohn.
Littlejohn is assigned to the case in London and, for once, finds that he isn't short of motive. The victim was a loner - sullen and silent, he seemed to hate everyone and everything. Littlejohn is determined to crack this case before it becomes an international crisis and sets off on a trail that leads him through a seedy hotel in Geneva, a mental clinic in the mountains, and an airport in London. Will he manage to head off disaster, or is this case simply too big for Littlejohn?
Death of a Shadow is the twenty-first title in Agora's Inspector Littlejohn Mysteries.
Reviews
'One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'Mr Bellairs always gives good value' - The Sunday Times
'Pure British detective story' - The New York Times
Littlejohn is assigned to the case in London and, for once, finds that he isn't short of motive. The victim was a loner - sullen and silent, he seemed to hate everyone and everything. Littlejohn is determined to crack this case before it becomes an international crisis and sets off on a trail that leads him through a seedy hotel in Geneva, a mental clinic in the mountains, and an airport in London. Will he manage to head off disaster, or is this case simply too big for Littlejohn?
Death of a Shadow is the twenty-first title in Agora's Inspector Littlejohn Mysteries.
Reviews
'One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'Mr Bellairs always gives good value' - The Sunday Times
'Pure British detective story' - The New York Times
On the night that Joss Varran was expected home after a visit to Wormwood Scrubs, his body was found in a ditch right opposite the cottage where he lived with his sister in the silent marshes in the north of the Isle of Man. Chief Superintendent Littlejohn, of Scotland Yard, soon becomes involved in the case as a result of Varran's recent imprisonment in a London jail. Joss Varran had been a sailor on a container ship between Ramsey and Preston and somewhere in his voyages had been caught up in events which had made him a hunted man, not so much by the police as by his partners in crime.
From all appearances, he had endeavoured to shake them off by getting himself imprisoned. His efforts, however, were in vain and his murder presents a confusing case in the Manx curraghs for Inspector Knell, of the Manx police, and his friends Littlejohn and the Venerable Caesar Kinrade, Archdeacon of Man.
The Night They Killed Joss Varran is the twenty-fifth title in Agora's Inspector Littlejohn Mysteries.
Reviews
'One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'Mr Bellairs always gives good value' - The Sunday Times
'Pure British detective story' - The New York Times
From all appearances, he had endeavoured to shake them off by getting himself imprisoned. His efforts, however, were in vain and his murder presents a confusing case in the Manx curraghs for Inspector Knell, of the Manx police, and his friends Littlejohn and the Venerable Caesar Kinrade, Archdeacon of Man.
The Night They Killed Joss Varran is the twenty-fifth title in Agora's Inspector Littlejohn Mysteries.
Reviews
'One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'Mr Bellairs always gives good value' - The Sunday Times
'Pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'The House in the Lepers' Hollow. That's what it was called. How right they were... the whole place seems unclean...diseased...rotten.'
And in this eerie winter mystery, Inspector Littlejohn uncovers just how dark and rotten Beyle House really is...
Set on having a relaxing holiday in Tilsey, Littlejohn once again finds himself pulled into a local investigation. When local judge Nicholas Crake is found dead in his home, Littlejohn and Cromwell have the difficult task of sifting out the murderer from a mass of motives. Could Crake's faithless wife have had the means? Or his strange brother-in-law? Or what of the Superintendent who seems to be doing more to impede the case than solve it?
Filled with family secrets, old grudges, and more than one dead body, Littlejohn must unravel a web of deceit to get to the bottom of this case.
Crime in Lepers' Hollow was first published in 1952.
About Inspector Littlejohn Inspector Thomas Littlejohn of Scotland Yard is a shrewd yet courteous sleuth who splits his time between quaint English villages, the scenic Isle of Man and French Provinces. With a sharp tongue and a dry sense of humour, Littlejohn approaches his work with poise and confidence, shifting through red-herrings and solving even the most perplexing of cases.
Reviews
'One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story' - The New York Times'Mr Bellairs always gives good value' - The Sunday Times
'Pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'Head and shoulders above the average of our day.' - Madison Capital Times
And in this eerie winter mystery, Inspector Littlejohn uncovers just how dark and rotten Beyle House really is...
Set on having a relaxing holiday in Tilsey, Littlejohn once again finds himself pulled into a local investigation. When local judge Nicholas Crake is found dead in his home, Littlejohn and Cromwell have the difficult task of sifting out the murderer from a mass of motives. Could Crake's faithless wife have had the means? Or his strange brother-in-law? Or what of the Superintendent who seems to be doing more to impede the case than solve it?
Filled with family secrets, old grudges, and more than one dead body, Littlejohn must unravel a web of deceit to get to the bottom of this case.
Crime in Lepers' Hollow was first published in 1952.
About Inspector Littlejohn Inspector Thomas Littlejohn of Scotland Yard is a shrewd yet courteous sleuth who splits his time between quaint English villages, the scenic Isle of Man and French Provinces. With a sharp tongue and a dry sense of humour, Littlejohn approaches his work with poise and confidence, shifting through red-herrings and solving even the most perplexing of cases.
Reviews
'One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story' - The New York Times'Mr Bellairs always gives good value' - The Sunday Times
'Pure British detective story' - The New York Times
'Head and shoulders above the average of our day.' - Madison Capital Times