The sight of some large policemen taking a bathtub from a respectable home in the quiet market town of Flaxborough is not a usual occurrence. Inspector Purbright suspects a particularly grisly crime (see John George Haigh for the pertinent details) has been committed in the home. Inspector Purbright knows someone is dead, but who is it? Is it the missing milquetoast tobacconist, Gordon Periam, who owns the property, or his fly-by-night lodger, Hopjoy? As Purbright's investigation proceeds with the well-meaning and ultimately bumbling interference from the British Spy service, Purbright learns that appearances can be deceiving.

Hopjoy was Here is another witty and blackly humorous entry in Colin Watson's classic series. Each of the books so far has been a great read, bringing back a time long gone in Britain. Thanks to Farrago Books for bringing them back in new editions, and also to NetGalley for an advance copy. The opinions are my own.

By & large mysteries tend to be either humorous or intricately plotted; rarely are they both. Watson, however has managed to combine both gentle and slapstick humor with a beautifully plotted mystery in the reprint of his 1962 book.

Revolving around the mysterious disappearance of a local shopkeeper & his lodger, we have local busybodies, nymphomaniac farmer's wives, "seaside" hotels and plenty of fun in this entry in the author's Flaxborough mystery series.

I'm looking forward to more.

Another excellent entry in the Flaxborough Chronicles series - this time tinged with some spy nonsense that, honestly, I found to be completely impenetrable and possibly the result of needing to turn a rather neat short story idea into a novel. Beyond that, the characters sparkle, the dialogue is crisp, and Mr. Watson continues to convey atmosphere in a beautifully economical way. A strong recommend.

I received this book for free from Netgalley. This did not influence my review.

For those who like police procedurals set in the relatively near past, laced with dry British humor, the re-release of Colin Watson’s Flaxborough Mystery series is a reason to celebrate. I’m on book 3, Hopjoy Was Here. This book was thoroughly entertaining and could stand alone, though I still recommend reading Book 1 first.

The novel opens with the removal of a bathtub from the home of mild-mannered tobacconist, Gordon Periam. It’s being carted away by policemen, evidence of a heinous crime committed in the house. The unflappable Investigator Purbright is in charge, so we settle in confident that the crime will be sorted out.

Periam is missing, as is his boarder, Brian Hopjoy. Hopjoy is known as a flashy spendthrift and somewhat of a playboy. He is also known, by pretty much everyone, to be an undercover agent for the secret service. His status as a spy is something he plays on to woo women and get out of paying his bills. It seems pretty safe to say that one of the men is a murderer and the other, the victim, but as there is no body it’s hard to say which is which.

Adding to Purbright’s difficulty is the arrival of two men from Hopjoy’s agency who have been sent to look into the disappearance of their man. To Purbright’s surprise, they are not discomfited by the fact that their associate may be dead and are equally comfortable with the idea that he is a murderer–though they assume that if Hopjoy killed Periam it was in the interest of national security. And, of course, it will all have to be hushed up.

Purbright sets to solving the crime while the secret agents set about discovering the larger problem, which they are certain exists.

The contrast between the methodical, intelligent, practical Investigator and the over-the-top, James Bond-like government agents is very cleverly amusing. The plot twists and turns keep a reader guessing right along with Purbright. His exacting attention to the smallest details will surely lead to the correct conclusion, but along the way, it’s a toss-up as to who is cleverer, Purbright or the criminal. (It’s certainly not the intelligence agents.)

Unlike many of the historical mysteries I’ve read recently, there is no love interest for Purbright to serve as a parallel plotline. In fact, we know very little at all about the investigator except what we learn by seeing him at work. Even so, he’s an increasingly endearing character, and I’ll continue reading this fun series.

A lovely, old fashioned police procedural. Not too challenging, but very enjoyable. Nice, light, entertaining reading.

Inspector Purbright and Sergeant Love are once again investigating a puzzling disappearance/murder. This corner of rural 1950s England is full of oddball places and unexpected situations. The investigation provides contact with many new and quirky characters, including a couple of MI5 operatives who think they are so much smarter than the local constables. Even amongst the locals, few characters seem to talk plainly but instead speak in double meanings and misdirection. I wouldn't call the language tedious, but it does eventually get a bit tiresome having to decipher the hidden meaning in every description and conversation, especially since I'm trying to solve the mystery before all is revealed. The plot veers off from the predictable suspect, then turns back on itself before coming to its conclusion, but again with an unexpected twist. I enjoyed it and recommend it to Anglophiles and lovers of mid-twentieth century whodunnits.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.

Droll rather than humorous, Hopjoy was Here is definitely different from the standard English village cozy.

Inspector Purbright receives an anonymous letter from a neighbor of the male roommates Hopjoy and Periam about a fight in a bathroom. Hopjoy is working for a mysterious (CIAesque) agency. Was Hopjoy or Periam murdered using acid in their own bathtub?

Unusual murder method, spies, formal British language, and passé humor, the book is not for everyone. The village characters are the best part. Difficult to rate but 3 stars--onto the next in the series.

Thanks to Farrago and NetGalley for a copy.

This is the third in the series that I have read. This book is a product of it's time. There were a couple times where the language made me uncomfortable. The plot is somewhat convoluted and keeps you guessing, but is wrapped up well at the end.

This is the third installment in a very enjoyable series. I like how the author gives us our favorite detective in cases that take him to various towns, which introduces us to more quirky and sometimes mysterious characters. It keeps you guessing, and chuckling through the whole book.

All the neighbors are watching as the Flaxborough police remove a bathtub from a local home. The home is occupied by two bachelors, but neither has been seen for a few days. The police received an anonymous letter indicating that something may have happened in the bathroom. Inspector Purbright is on the case and his loyal sergeant, Sid Love, is right by his side. But just as they are getting started a couple of Secret Service guys show up claiming that one of the men, Hopjoy, is a spy working in the area. Periam, the second bachelor is the owner of the house and by all accounts the two men lived together harmoniously. But Purbright suspects that Hopjoy has not gone off on some mission but has in fact been murdered.

This is my favorite book in the series so far. This story takes us back to Flaxborough proper where Purbright is really in his element. I love how Colin Watson starts his books because he just drops you into the drama without preamble and the first mystery the reader has to solve is what the heck happened, in this case, to cause an entire tub to be removed as police evidence. In this story, I enjoyed Purbright even more; he seems to have a firmer personality this time around. There are also some great new characters. The two Secret Service guys were very intriguing, I found their way of working together to be a bit slapstick in nature but still enjoyable reading. The investigation goes back and forth between what Purbright and Love and learning and what the SS guys are learning. It all comes together in the end for a somewhat shocking conclusion.

Another great Purbright mystery. Great mystery and wonderful characters. A nice old-fashioned mystery!

I was so looking forward to the release of Hopjoy Was Here, the third Flaxborough Mystery by Colin Watson, and I was not disappointed. This story is more complex and feels much darker than the previous two books in the series, but Colin Watson once again through his delightful way with words presents a suspenseful mystery with a vivid, varied cast of characters and settings. He expertly combines humor and sadness as well as injecting some serious commentary about the times and towns like Flaxborough.

Once again, we are with Inspector Purbright and Sergeant Malley. The police have received a letter about some goings-on at 14 Beatrice Avenue and they are off to investigate. What they discover leads to the sight of four burly policeman manhandling a bath down the front path of the villa and the police digging around in the drain. It’s a very intriguing beginning. You aren’t quite sure what’s in that drain, but imagination goes wild – and it seems pretty disgusting. The two occupants of the house - nice Gordon Periam, the mild-mannered tobacconist, and his not-so-nice-bit-of-a-bounder lodger Brian Hopjoy – can’t be found, or . . . ewww. The mysterious Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dee, aka Ross and Pumphrey show up to butt into the police investigation, all hush hush. James Bond, anyone?

Forensics, albeit forensics of 1957 or 1958 since DNA testing wasn’t used until 1986, come into play, but Warlock of the Forensic Science Labs, whose motto is ‘hang ‘em by a thread’ is pretty good at collecting and analyzing the evidence. There’s a lot of it, and nothing is as it seems.

Hopjoy Was Here is a solid mystery, with clues provided along the way but nothing is obvious. I didn’t figure things out until the end. And as always, due to Colin Watson’s mastery of the English language, I was left with some vivid images of people or places, a couple of new words or phrases to use, and some grooming tips. I’ll leave you with these examples: People: Pumphrey - had a habit of pulling his right ear lobe as if it put him in circuit with an electronic sensor, or jerking his long, pointed head forward and from side to side, as if his thoughts had to be continually shaken in their box to prevent them sticking together, and he stopped and turned his eyes, like those of an El Greco Christ, upon Ross. Warlock - rose and slipped his restless hands into his trouser pockets, where they continued to rummage like inquisitive mice. New words: Maybe you think I’m being a bit of a stupid-sides, and I don’t think I can recall a case of fiancecide. And finally, some fashion and grooming: Although an almost offensively inept hair style – plaits coiled into round pads over her ears – early Star Wars? And lastly, Purbright at the barber shop: Ah, you’re very wise sir; clipping does tend to stimulate. I personally find the best answer to what we might vulgarly call the hair nose-hole is to fire it a couple of times a year.’ His eyes wandered to a jar stacked with wax tapers. ‘like a railway embankment, you know.’ Purbright shook his head vigourously. And you must be laughing by now.

I thoroughly enjoyed Hopjoy was here and unhesitatingly recommend it. Read it for the words; the good mystery is a bonus. I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley and am looking forward to starting the next in the Flaxborough series.

Mystery involving the secret service.

DI Purbright calmly pursues his enquiries involving Hopjoy who is missing, presumed dead, but at every turn the mystery becomes deeper and deeper.

This is the third of Colin Watson’s excellent police procedurals, set in the 1950’s, an age where things were obviously taken at a more gentle pace and where forensics are not the answer to everything. The well written prose and charming wit makes it a most enjoyable read.

Review from complimentary pre-publication ebook.

Farrago Books, UK is currently republishing the Flaxborough Mystery series, British police procedurals set in the 60s which feature Inspector Purbright and his sidekick, Sergeant Love. This mystery, the third in the series, is quite a convoluted case because there is no body, just hints that a crime may have been committed. To make matters even murkier, the local police learn that the missing man, Brian Hopjoy, has been working as a secret agent, so now they must deal with MI5 officers who want to keep everything on the hush-hush.

I am quite enjoying these old chestnuts. Colin Watson had an interesting way of describing his characters and situations--with a wry sense of humor, biting his tongue, fully descriptive yet not revealing all. Some examples:

Inspector Purbright is describing his Chief Constable to the forensic scientist examining the evidence: "Have you met old Chubb, by the way? Oh you must. He thinks that crimes in this town are committed only in his policemen's imagination."

Describing Agent Pumphrey: "Purbright noticed his habit of jerking his long, pointed head forward and from side to side, as if his thoughts had to be continually shaken in their box to prevent them sticking together."

Describing a Miriam Cook, a witness: "Pouring tea was an occupation that gave this stringy, straight-backed woman a kind of fulfillment. Her thin mouth was set in concentration. The big nose with a wart on its side seemed to stretch forth in anxious assessment of the strength and fragrance of the brew. Her eyes, pale and uncalm with hypochondria, steadied to measure the mounting amber line; there even shone in them a little pride."

I was fully convinced that I knew exactly what was going on here in this story, but lo and behold, Watson pulled the rug out from under my beautiful theory and surprised me, creating an ending that was ironic and satisfying. And I loved that Purbright got the ever-serious Agent Pumphrey with a joke at the end! Perfect!

I am looking forward to reading more in this series. Many thanks to Farrago Books and NetGalley for providing an arc for my honest review.

This is the third book in the series and I am starting to get the feel for this series. This book again has women in a fairly negative position but credits them with more brains than the last one. I did enjoy this book the most of the three.
The writing is the highlight of the book. It has a very different take on any ordinary scenario, so much so that each description on its own makes for an entertaining read. The case in this was also interesting, it has a steady flow and gives you enough hints that the final surprise is more satisfying than being completely in the dark.
In his locality, Inspector Purbright has been sent to investigate an anonymous letter only because the location to where the letter points a finger is the known home of a 'government agent'. Since there is a lot of hush-hush involved, the brightest minds are put to the case. There is no sign of anything untoward at the location except for a strange situation with the bathroom.They have to starting working on a case without actual having anything to work with which makes the process entertaining despite it being a criminal investigation. The humour is more apparent in this book(or I might be just getting accustomed to the wry delivery) and with agents being brought in to work it out from the secret end, it adds to the chaos.

It is not a very large book and can be read in a sitting or two, I am definitely looking forward to the next in the series.  I was lucky enough to be approved by the publisher for the access to an ARC.

I am coming to love this series and Hopjoy Was Here, the third, is another good one. This time Purbright and his team investigate a possible acid-bath murder, as agents of National Security hover because one of their own may be the victim. It's a well told, quite twisty tale, but as always it is Colin Watson's writing which is the really enjoyable thing.

Watson has a dry, sardonic take on things, illustrated by this lovely little example as Purbright calls to interview a neighbour of the house which is the crime scene: "Mrs Alice Sayers celebrated the installation of a police inspector in her drawing-room by serving a jug of hot milk and water delicately tinctured with coffee essence..." The book is full of such amusing and penetrating little nuggets of characterisation, including a very enjoyable satire of self-important spies, while the plot moves on at a fairly leisurely pace - which is just fine by me.

My sole reservation is that women are treated with almost universal contempt, and there are some observations about their sexuality among other things which border on the offensive. Even allowing for the prevailing attitudes of the period, I did find this uncomfortable. However, there is so much else to enjoy here that I can still warmly recommend the book.

(My thanks to Farrago for an ARC via NetGalley.)

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

After a disappointing (to me) second instalment of this series, "Hopjoy Was Here" was a return to form. Inspector Purbright and his side kick Sergeant Love intelligently and logically look into the disappearance of Hopjoy, while Major Ross, Hopjoy's "handler" pursues his own leads in a very entertaining fashion. Hopjoy's true character is revealed by Ross' investigations, and Purbright and Love's common sense approach wins the day.

Again, very funny throughout with a gentle light touch. I particularly enjoy the way Purbright manages his superior, Chubb.

Recommended.

Gossip is rife in Flaxborough! Detective Inspector Purbright is, however, on the case! The third in this series from Colin Watson doesn't disappoint. A rather more convoluted plot and plenty of wry, biting humour makes this another not to be missed. Utterly delightful. Lovers of a cleverly written mystery will enjoy.

Watson uses both humor and misdirection to great effect in this story: chuckles were endless at Purbright’s often sly wit, the reveals were slow to develop, but allowed for plenty of ‘play along’ time for readers to build their case for one culprit or another. Sure, my guesses were ALL wrong as a lovely surprise twist brought the story to conclusion with revelations I never could have seen, but fortunately, the dogged determination and thorough examination of the clues, large, small and otherwise throw-away were not seen as such by Purbright, who does ultimately find the culprit and bring the story to an end.

Watson’s use of language and his sly sense of humor that is apparent in Purbright’s character keep this story fresh, even while some of the situations and social conventions feel very 1960’s: it doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the stories – and these are fun examples of classic British crime stories, focused on the characters, the clues and the story around the deaths.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review: I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-9Hc/”> <a> I am, Indeed </a>

DNF the series as of today , thinks Netgalley for at least letting me give this series a try.