Tue 31 May 2016
Reviewed by William F. Deeck: JOHN M. PATTERSON – Doubly Dead.
Posted by Steve under Reviews[2] Comments
William F. Deeck
JOHN M. PATTERSON – Doubly Dead. Doubleday, US, hardcover, 1969. Curtis #6118, US, paperback, no date. First published in the UK by Robert Hale, hardcover, 1969.
Can recuperation be considered a holiday? I certainly hope so. Recovering from influenza, Henry Moffatt goes with his wife, Poncie, to regain his strength with Henry’s old friend, Piers Hartley, on the Isle of Jersey. For a while the visit is idyllic, but then murder intrudes and Poncie is a prime suspect.
Lots of humor here, with some interesting and likable characters, though the baddies are a bit too evidently villainous. Crime-novel readers who like the scenic tour will be especially pleased, for the author provides fascinating information about Jersey.
As I was reading this novel, I got the impression there was at least one with Henry and Poncie preceding it. It turns out though, to be Patterson’s only mystery. A pity.
May 31st, 2016 at 8:44 pm
An obscure title from an even more obscure author, and Bill makes it sound as though it would be one I’d enjoy reading. I love it!
PS. This is the first of Bill Deeck’s old reviews that I’ve posted on this blog in six months, and I apologize for that. I’d temporarily misplaced the photocopies of Janet Rudolph’s MRN containing his reviews that Richard Moore sent me last year. They came to light this past week, and I was delighted.
May 31st, 2016 at 9:35 pm
Ah, how fanciful, the idea of a world so genteel you get to take a holiday after being away from work sick…
The very idea almost sounds science fictional now.