Sometimes, a traditional mystery from the British Library Crime Classics series is perfect in troubled times. E.C.R. Lorac’s Fell Murder, set in Lunsedale, just south of the Lake District in England, introduces Chief Inspector Macdonald from Scotland Yard. Yes, it’s a murder mystery. It’s also an atmospheric story centered around farm country. Martin Edwards introduces the story in his usual accomplished style, providing the background for this mystery set during World War II. While the details of life during the war set a scene, the farms and the farm life are the essential settings.
The Garth family has been at Garthmere Hall since the early 1500s. When Robert Garth took over the farm it was rundown and in sad shape. Now, he’s eighty-two, still farming the land. His family may see him as a tyrant, but most of his tenants see him as a firm, but hard-working landlord. His oldest son, Richard, couldn’t get along with him, though, and left for Canada twenty-five years earlier when his father didn’t approve when he married a local girl. The property is entailed, and Richard will inherit, but no one in the family has heard from him since he left in 1919.
When Robert’s bailiff finds him dead after a fox hunt, he knows it’s murder, and he calls the police. But Superintendent Layng is the wrong person to interview farmers. He’s not local, and he thinks all country people are slow. “In his heart of hearts Layng believed that all farmers were stupid.” And, they refuse to tell him anything more than the basic facts. It’s his boss who knows he needs help, The local police force has too much work dealing with requirements for the war. He calls Scotland Yard.
Chief Inspector Macdonald understands country living. He’s originally from Scotland, and he bikes and walks the hills to talk with people. And, he listens carefully. And, he realizes he’s not the only one who has listened. The person who killed Robert Garth may have overheard conversations that made it easy to kill. Every one of Garth’s children had a reason to kill him. Some of the neighbors disliked him as well. With his easy way of talking with people, Macdonald will find the person who followed through with that murder.
There’s a quote from the book that appears several places because it emphasizes the setting and atmosphere: ““...this crime is conditioned by the place. To understand the one you’ve got to study the other.” And, I’ll admit, the setting is important, and it’s beautiful. But, I read for character. And, there’s one scene that impressed me more than any other. After Robert Garth was found dead, the farmers in the community gathered at the local pub, Garth Arms. It was almost a wake, and they eulogized the dead man, talking about his good and bad points. That scene pointed out the hierarchy within the community, and the protective nature the leaders felt for the Garth family. Yes, place is important. But, the people involved are even more important in my opinion.
I’ll admit yesterday’s book is difficult to find. If you like a good traditional mystery, though, you’ll be able to find Fell Murder.
Fell Murder by E.C.R. Lorac. British Library Crime Classics, Poisoned Pen Press, Sourcebooks, 2020. ISBN 9781492699590 (paperback) 231p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I bought a copy of the book.
Thanks Lesa, if a traditional mystery will help with troubled times, I’m all for it. My library has a copy of Fell Murder, so I’ll be reading it soon.
Regarding yesterday’s book, Amazon.ca (Canada) has a selection of Thomas King books including many on Kindle. I imagine it has something to do with copyright laws, but if a book lives in the cloud, one would think it would be more accessible!
You’re welcome, MM. It was just what I needed yesterday. It was a quiet traditional mystery. I hope you enjoy it.
You’re right. I wish it was easier to get his books. I would be easier for me to push them. I know several people who wanted to read it, but it isn’t inexpensive.
Macdonald returned to “Lunesdale” in several other Lorac mysteries, as I recall. Not that I’ve read them, of course, but she was always an author I looked for the buy for resale when we drove around Britain book hunting. The Crime Club (Collins) had a number of Lorac books under her own name and her Carol Carnac pseudonym in their White Circle Crime Club paperback series (1936-1959) – CASE IN THE CLINIC, CHECKMATE TO MURDER, THE SIXTEENTH STAIR; ROPE’S END, ROGUE’S END; DEATH CAME SOFTLY, FIRE IN THE THATCH, MURDER BY MATCHLIGHT, RELATIVE TO POISON, DEATH BEFORE DINNER, PART FOR A POISONER, STILL WATERS, THE DOG IT WAS THAT DIED, MURDER IN THE MILL RACE, LET WELL ALONE, SHROUD OF DARKNESS by Lorac, and IT’S HER OWN FUNERAL, MURDER AS A FINE ART, and A POLICEMAN AT THE DOOR by Carnac. This comes from the indispensable THE HOODED GUNMAN: An Illustrated History of Collins Crime Club by John Curran.
I am very surprised that FELL MURDER wasn’t included.
Jeff, I can see why you looked for her books when you were book shopping for resale. I really liked Fell Murder. It was the second of her books that I’ve read, and I have several others in the other room. One of my crime fiction friends loves her books, and has probably read all of them. I wondered about that because the cover does say A Lunesdale mystery.
I love this book! and I’m a recent convert to the ERC Lorac fan club. I also recommend her Murder in the Mill Race.
I have some of her others in a pile in the other room. Hopefully, I have Murder in the Mill Race. I had only read one other one by her, but I like her writing and her characters.
I was lucky enough to hear Graham Green read Deadwater Shows Up when it first came out, on CBC, and that was a perfect experience. Never forgot how he portrayed the sly and dry humour. I thank you for your reviews, always enjoyable.
Oh, Christine! That must have been a wonderful experience.
Thank you for your kind comment about my reviews. I appreciate it!