Fri 4 Nov 2022
An Archived Mystery Review by Bob Adey: JAMES ANDERSON – The Affair of the Blood-Stained Egg Cosy.
Posted by Steve under Reviews[4] Comments
JAMES ANDERSON – The Affair of the Blood-Stained Egg Cosy. Chief Inspector Wilkins #1. Constable, UK, hardcover, 1975. David McKay, US, hardcover, 1977. Avon, US, paperback, 1978. Poisoned Pen Press, US, softcover, 1998.
In this book Mr. Anderson has attempted and pretty well succeeded, in recapturing the spirit of the pre-war era. The setting is a weekend house party in a stately home, the flavouring that of international intrigue, and the characters the full range of golden age products — the titled hosts, American millionaires, a penniless deb, a mysterious stranger, some diplomats, a foreign countess, etc. etc.
But whereas the genuine thirties article also often contained unreal dialogue, ridiculous characters, a meandering plot with a hopelessly weak denouement, this does not. The build-up is beautifully done and leads to a storm-ridden night when all hell lets loose — jewelry is stolen (could it be the work of a master criminal, the Wraith?), guns are missing, there are constant comings and goings — and murder is done.
The police in the form of unconventional Inspector Wilkins carry out a detailed investigation and in a marvelous revelation scene the pieces of the jigsaw are put together and the truth emerges.
An affectionate study, and quite a tour de force.
November 4th, 2022 at 6:20 pm
I liked this and its sequel, and one or two others by Anderson. Eventually he seems to have devoted most of his mystery writing to the adventures of Jessica Fletcher in the novels based on MURDER SHE WROTE.
November 4th, 2022 at 6:41 pm
As an author, Anderson certainly wrote in a mixed bag of genres. There were three Wilkins books:
1. The Affair of the Blood Stained Egg Cosy (1975)
2. The Affair of the Mutilated Mink Coat (1981)
3. The Affair of the 39 Cufflinks (2003)
Eight spy thrillers and standalones:
Mikael Josef Petros
Assassin (1969)
The Abolition of Death (1974)
The Alpha List (1972)
Appearance of Evil (1977)
Angel of Death (1978)
Assault and Matrimony (1980)
Auriol (1982)
Additional Evidence (1988)
All of which began with the latter “A”.
And as you say, three Jessica Fletcher books:
Murder, She Wrote
1. The Murder of Sherlock Holmes (1985)
2. Hooray for Homicide (1985)
3. Lovers and Other Killers (1986)
How a thoroughly British writer gt assigned to these is in itself a mystery.
November 5th, 2022 at 12:23 am
I found it so good that I immediately bought the omnibus. One for keeps.
November 5th, 2022 at 12:44 am
I have all three but in separate editions. They have found their forever home.