In the early days of World War II in Britain, there were no guarantees that the country itself could or would survive the war. Being subjected to bombings by German warplanes every night, it is not surprising that a great deal of attention was being paid to military research, as scientists tried to find new weapons that could destroy the marauding German planes. Much of the research was being carried out at a facility called Dalebrink Park, a part of camp 55, a secret military base, under the leadership of Colonel Brende. In charge of security at the area which included Camp 55 was Ludovic Travers - newly promoted to Major and responsible for the safety of the camp and the research at Dalebrink Park - and, presumably, a target for German espionage agents, particularly as there were rumors of a breakthrough in the anti-aircraft research. Sure enough, despite rigorous security precautions, Colonel Brende was kidnapped - and the kidnapping was only one in a series of crimes which eventually included murder. The story is told in Christopher Bush's 1942 mystery, The Case of the Kidnapped Colonel, another in the long series of mysteries to feature the detective skills of Ludo Travers and his friend, Scotland Yard Superintendent George Wharton. It's the subject of today's audio review on the Classic Mysteries podcast, and you can listen to the complete review by clicking here.
The Case of the Kidnapped Colonel was one of a trilogy of wartime books by Christopher Bush, written and set during those early days of the war, when victory and even survival for Britain and its allies was by no means a certainty.The Case of the Kidnapped Colonel was the second book in that trilogy, and it was published in 1942. In addition to its rich details about military life during those years and the hardships that accompanied everyday life for everyone in Britain, it is also a very good and thoroughly enjoyable mystery. It is, I should add, a mystery, rather than an espionage thriller, and there are red herrings galore to keep the reader guessing. It's extremely well done. It's available from Dean Street Press in both e-book and paper versions, and this edition includes an introduction from mystery historian Curtis Evans.
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