The Yorkshire Moorland Mystery Paperback – 31 Mar. 2022

great plot. not too much gore.

This has one of JS Fletcher's slightly over-complicated plots which, after quite a promising start, rather fizzles out. It does make one realise the difficulties there were conducting an investigation in multiple locations in the early 20th century when , despite the proliferation of railways, communication and travel were much more complicated and time-consuming, especially in remote areas such as the Yorkshire Moors where this is partly set.Murder and the theft of rare books form the core of the tale. The journeying back and forth by rail from London to Yorkshire was dizzying at times, and, ultimately, a bit futile.There are too many detectives, amateur and professional, and the amateurs are given huge access to police information . There is a hint of romance, but little attempt at characterisation.The solution is soon obvious as there are only a few possible suspects, so there is not much to puzzle over.Pleasant and easy reading, but a bit light on the detection front. Non-vintage, and on the flat side for this prolific author.

Excellent reading. Very good mystery thriller.

I read a lot of Golden Age Detection novels – republished crime classics from the early part of the twentieth century. This reprint from Oreon Press really grabbed my attention for its simple formula – a mysterious murder on a lonely Yorkshire moor, the intervention of Scotland Yard, but also the determination of two people known to the victim. I read it in record time, enjoying the characters of the suspects, the witnesses to the progress of the victim, the mixture of detection styles on display. J. S Fletcher was a skilful writer who spent a lot of time and care on constructing convincing settings, consistent characters and a plot that stands up well. It is a novel of its time, full of the details of women’s lives as well as men’s, with lots of exciting travelling thrown in. Labelled a Bibliomystery, it focuses on the world of rare books, editions so valuable that it can affect lives, and those who come into contact with them. The description of this book asks “Would anyone commit violent murder for one musty old book?”, but in this novel it is certainly a consideration. I enjoyed this book for its straightforward storytelling, with its clever working out of a murder mystery.The novel is narrated in the voice of a Captain Mannering, a young man who has fought in the “Great War” and is now seeking employment and by chance finds a temporary but lucrative position with a Dr Essenheim, a well known American book dealer in London to buy rare books to take back for his wealthy clients. For a fortnight Mannering stays in the Carlton hotel, witnessing his employer buying books in a speedy but knowledgeable way, attending sales and parting with immense sums for sometimes seemingly unimpressive tomes. A European tour is planned, but before it begins Essenheim disappears, walking out of the hotel and simply not returning. On enquiry Mannering is told that this is not uncommon behaviour, as the older man will sometimes disappear for days in pursuit of a certain volume. It is only when a Essenheim’s nephew Frank turns up that questions are asked of his solicitor Heddleston and bank, where they are told the disappeared dealer was carrying a large amount of money. When a newspaper report into the discovery of a man’s body appears, Frank and Mannering are compelled to travel to Kirkenmore, Yorkshire, a small market town. On arrival they meet Superintendent Calvert and the investigation begins. Tours of the countryside, interviews with public house landlords and their staff, meetings with local landowners and everything else contribute something to their knowledge of Essenheim’s progress in the area, but the number of potential suspects in such a sparsely occupied area seems limited, especially on the pathway. Nevertheless the investigators discover something of those who saw Essenheim on the days in question, and observations of those he met. The identity of the mysterious young woman he met, and indeed why such a wealthy man walking alone on a lonely moor in pursuit of rare books are questions which confront the investigator and indeed the reader. As the action of the novel returns to London and other places, the investigation builds into a complex conclusion.This is a very enjoyable book which I found a fascinating and absorbing read. While perhaps not the most sophisticated of classic crime novels, its attraction is its clear mystery and its book related theme, as well as a fine sense of place. The characters are well drawn throughout, and it is a good read which I recommend. I would like to read more JS Fletcher!

Very refreshing read, written as in the late 1910's and reminds us of what life was like then. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who likes living in the past for a few hours.

I like all this series but they do get a bit same-y after a while. However, a good light read with a dash of murder mystery.

It did seem a bit dated as it was set quite a long time ago, but overall it was a good story. Easy to follow

a good read, would buy another by J S Flethcher