Tag: david frome

The Eel Pie Murders (1933) by David Frome

February 8, 2023

The Eel Pie Murders by David Frome

7 Stars (7/10 stars)

“Who stands to gain? That’s your question, and you know that nine times out of ten it’s the only question. Whose life’s going to be made endurable that isn’t endurable now?”

Eel Pie Island in the summer is a cheerful place, a little oasis in the middle of the Thames. Many day-trippers are reluctant to return to the hot streets of London as evening draws near, wishing they could stay on the island forever. One visitor will get her wish, in the worst possible way. As dawn breaks over the river, a gorgeous platinum blonde is found lying dead on shore, her silk pajamas still damp. Inspector Bull and his sidekick Mr. Pinkerton must discover the identity of this very chic corpse before another victim ends up dead in the water. Continue reading “The Eel Pie Murders (1933) by David Frome”

Mr Pinkerton Goes to Scotland Yard (1934) by David Frome

July 21, 2020

Mr Pinkerton Goes to Scotland Yard by David Frome

6 stars (6/10 stars)

“Guilty knowledge is something that human beings cannot successfully cope with, and the more intelligent they are, the more it betrays them.”

The sun is shining on this August bank holiday. Mr. Pinkerton is surrounded by happy crowds. He should be happy himself, but he can’t help worrying about a foolish wager he made with his friend Inspector Bull. The Inspector is certain Scotland Yard could never mistake a murder for natural death. Mr. Pinkerton suspects otherwise. Now he is near the end of the betting period, however, without a single case of murder to show for himself.

The last thing Mr. Pinkerton expects is for a murder case to sit down right beside him on a park bench, but that is just what happens. Old Mrs. Ripley is dying. Local gossips suspect poison. Mr. Pinkerton isn’t sure what to think, but he knows one thing for sure: unless he discovers the truth, innocent lives will be destroyed. Continue reading “Mr Pinkerton Goes to Scotland Yard (1934) by David Frome”

The Hammersmith Murders (1930) by David Frome

January 13, 2019

Book cover of The Hammersmith Murders by David Frome (1930)

6 stars (6/10 stars)

“Aunt is a little difficult right now. It’s almost as if she thinks I had murdered people.”

When Scotland Yard receives a letter warning of an impending murder, it seems like a prank. Still, Inspector Humphrey Bull drops by Caithness Road just to be sure. He is shocked to learn that bank clerk Lawrence Sprague has just died of tetanus, despite not having a mark on him that could have caused such an infection. Lawrence’s two lovely sisters are inconsolable—especially since their father died mysteriously a short time before. Regardless of his attraction to Margaret Sprague, Inspector Bull can’t shake the feeling that something strange is happening in Hammersmith.

Luckily, the inspector has a secret weapon. His shy, rabbity landlord Evan Pinkerton has a gift for seeing into the dark hearts of men, all without leaving his drab suburban boarding house. Continue reading “The Hammersmith Murders (1930) by David Frome”