The sudden death of Cosmo Revere was clearly a catastrophe for the aristocratic Revere family which has lived in the enormous house at Fenwold for hundreds of years. It appeared that Revere had been out on his estate late at night, cutting down a tree, and that the tree had swung around as it fell and hit him, killing him. It was a tragic accident. And if, somehow, it didn't look very much as if it could have been an accident, then shut up, because not a breath of scandal could be allowed to stain the reputation of the Reveres. Certainly it couldn't be anything as crude and vulgar as murder. Or could it? That's the starting point for Murder at Fenwold, a 1930 mystery by Christopher Bush. It's the subject of today's audio review on the Classic Mysteries podcast, and you can listen to the entire review by clicking here.
In his day, Christopher Bush was considered one of the leading mystery writers of the Golden Age in England - and, like so many other fine authors of that period, his name and his books virtually disappeared after his death, despite his having written 63 mysteries over the course of his career. Happily, Dean Street Press is in the process of re-publishing all of those books, complete with new introductions by mystery historian Curtis Evans. Murder at Fenwold, the fourth of his books, is already available, both in paper and as an e-book, and Dean Street Press provided me with a copy for this review.
All of Bush's mysteries feature an economist named Ludovic Travers, who has also made a name for himself as an amateur detective, often helping his official friends. In Murder at Fenwold, Travers works with ex-intelligence officer (and series regular), John Franklin when the authorities in Fenwold Village refuse even to consider the possibility that Cosmo Revere was murdered. Travers, who visits the scene of the crime, is certain that Revere was murdered - but by whom? And why? And, perhaps most significantly, how can it be proven?
At the request of the family lawyer, Travers and Franklin take up positions as undercover investigators at Fenwold, with Travers posing as a representative of the new heir, and Franklin posing as Travers's servant. The more the two men look into the situation at Fenwold, the more it becomes apparent that there is some kind of shady work going on – something to which the murder of Cosmo Revere may or may not be directly related. A good deal of the book is taken up with their investigations, which are carried out largely through interviews with a number of key people who may – or may not – be involved in some elaborate plot. But against whom, and with what stakes riding on it? There are more than enough possible suspects. And, as events build towards a climax, there may be some stunning surprises along the way.
Bush does a good job keeping things moving, writing as usual with wit and grace. The murder of Cosmo Revere isn’t the only mystery to be solved – not by a long shot. Murder at Fenwold is only the second mystery that I have read by Christopher Bush, and I’m eagerly awaiting more opportunities to observe Ludovic Travers and his friends at work.
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