I love Colin Watson's books. They never disappoint. You have to really pay attention to this book to make sure you don't lose the thread. A fantastic read!

Two more fabulous British mysteries in the #Flaxborough series.

Originally published in the 1960s and 70s, the Flaxborough Series by Colin Watson are traditional British mysteries at their finest. Watson used satire and a biting sense of humor to captivate readers across the globe. Thankfully, Farrago Books has reprinted these classics and made them available as e-books as well so that a new generation of readers can enjoy Watson's tales of hilarity and skullduggery.

In One Man's Meat, DI Purbright is back, this time investigating the strange case of a young man who has died while on a carnival ride. While this may seem like a simple, straight forward accident, nothing ever is simple or straight-forward in Flaxborough. Ever. As Purbright soon discovers, murder is afoot along with corporate espionage, "professional correspondents" and tainted dog food. For those of you who might equate "professional correspondents" with modern-day journalists - think again. A "professional correspondent" is court lingo for the person with whom a spouse has had a liaison. Oh yes, One Man's Meat makes The War of the Roses look like child's play.

Although the bulk of the story is told from the perpetrator's perspective, all of the humor and witty repartee are present throughout. This particular book in the series is a bit more difficult to follow, perhaps because of the selected voice used. It is, never-the-less a marvelous classic mystery that readers will enjoy. 

Of all of the Flaxborough series, The Naked Nuns is my least favorite. However, that is like saying that vanilla is my least favorite ice cream - it still is tasty and fun! 

The concern with The Naked Nuns is that the plot is too unbelievable. Okay, most of this series has convoluted plots, but this one is more so. The salvation to the book is that, as always, Watson is an incredibly funny writer which makes reading his books a little like watching the Pink Panther version of Christie's Poirot. Silliness abounds, but it's a worthwhile, fun read just the same. 

If you are a fan of witty, well written, non-violent, no-gore, classic mysteries then I highly recommend both of these books and the rest of the Flaxborough Series as well. 

A huge appreciation to #Netgalley and #Farrago for giving me the pleasure of reading these books!

"The Naked Nuns" and "Broomsticks over Flaxborough" are probably the two least interesting and effective of the Flaxborough series. Here Mr. Wilson pokes fun at social climbing, money-based competition, and business analysts. The murder plot is not interesting as there is only one person who could have done the deed.

This book is worth reading only if you wish to be able to say that you read the whole series. Otherwise, no.

This is a second book in a series by Colin Watson. And, once again, I just didn't enjoy it at all. It was also quirky and I found it hard to follow...lingo and forms of speech that are strange to me because it's a story based in England. I've enjoyed other books based in that area, but this book just didn't connect with me. I don't believe I'll try any more of his books.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review

Not so respectable rivalry within the outwardly respectable upper echelons gives Purbright cause for consternation. Another day and another case for the D.I. who is never short of problems. Utterly engaging, extremely funny with a frantic plot. Joyous.

Do not let the title fool you. This book lulled me into a prejudiced thought process ( as intended, I guess) while reading the first half of the story. The tale concerns some unsavory characters who seem to have an ongoing feud. The two main men in question seem to continue to try to upstage the other (sometimes life threateningly but mostly bruising their egos ). Then one of them ends up dead and there are rumours of mob influence. The oddest exclamation turns the case on its head and provides Inspector Purbright with the right answer. This book is funnier than the last and the only reason I gave it only three stars ( instead of four) is because I laughed harder at some of the conversations in the other books of the series. It has been twelve years in the town of Flaxborough since it was introduced to us and Lucilla Teatime continues to play a pivotal role in every book since the Lonelyheart 4122 book. She is an enigma as I cannot figure out what she would do next or what role she plays in the bigger picture apart from continuously being someone who knows more than the police about what is going wrong.

Are there really nuns running around naked in Flaxborough? Suspicious, coded letters have been received by the police which point to a murder soon to be committed in Flaxborough. Word comes down to Inspector Purbright and he begins the thankless search for who the victim is to be. Meanwhile, a local businessman receives a threatening letter. He is offered protection but doesn’t seem to take the situation very seriously. Then there’s the suspicious character who turns up at Miss Teatime’s. A friend of a friend he claims to be, but when his dark past comes to light he is suspect #1. When it all comes to a head, all the answers will be revealed.

This is book 8 in the Flaxborough Mysteries series. I think this is my least favorite story so far. While the writing is classic Colin Watson, I found the story overall to be kind of messy and it felt like it could have been structured a little better. That being said, all my favorite characters are back: Inspector Purbright, Seargeant Love, Miss Teatime and Chief Constable Chubb. The secondary characters didn’t seem as compelling as in some of the other books. Overall, I found this one a little disappointing.

Another enjoyable outing with Flaxborough friends. I devour these books now. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

A real Benny Hill Flaxborough mystery that reads like a slight grimy shag carpet; the sexual mores and general grasping of the upwardly mobile are thoroughly skewered. A strong entry in the series, although I think that the American gangster bits are not worth the time. A recommend for sure.

Another witty book with quirky characters! I wish I had discovered this series much earlier! Thanks to Farrago and NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Flaxborough looks like a charmingly sleepy village on the surface, but it's seething with drama, debauchery, and downright deviance below that surface respectability. Still, when the police get wind of what sounds like very specialized human trafficking, they aren't sure what to do.

Slightly distracted by a feud between two businessmen that gets messy (and dangerous), Inspector Purbright and Sergeant Love have enough on their plates when they get word that an American gangster is heading their way. Now they have to keep an eye out not only for nuns in their birthday suits, but also for a mobster and his intended victim. Loyal readers will not be surprised to hear that the elegant Miss Teatime is the mob's connection in Flaxborough.

When a trio of efficiency experts get involved in a medieval feast at the Floradora Club -- with the addition of some barbarians at the gate and in the liquor cabinet -- it begins to seem as though the mystery is just too complicated to solve.

The Flaxborough series is witty and smart, with rococo plots and well-developed characters who grow from one book to the next. They're beautifully written, and this one has lots of hilariously memorable scenes. Written in the 70s, they take a different view of women's position in the world than we do nowadays, but the joke is often on the admittedly sexist men. The entire series is a pleasure to read, and this one is no exception.

With the author's trademark combination of social satire, intriguing crime, and delightfully humorous characters, this novel is one of Watson's best.

It revolves around Mr. Hack, the owner of Flaxborough's country club. Married to a social climber, Hack's business interests around his club are varied to say the least. When combined with a suspicious telegram, a neighbor intent on revenge, and threatening letters you get a wonderful plot that's a great canvas for Watson's talents.

Packed with red herrings, it kept me guessing.

When a concerned citizen comes to Detective Inspector Purbright with a cryptic letter that could imply almost anything, Purbright is stumped as to what is meant by the "naked nuns" about to arrive. Then the police in New York receive a letter that implies a crime is about to occur in the town of Flaxborough, England, they forward the letter onto them. DI Purbright tells Chief Constable Chubb that nothing can be done until they find the person who is going to commit the crime, and hopefully the victim also. Then Arnold Hatch receives a letter apparently written by the same person intimating that he will soon be the victim of this crime. When he takes it to Purbright, they now have the victim, but are unsure of who is going to commit the crime...

Miss Lucy Teatime, meanwhile, receives a visit from a brash American who claims that her distant relative said to look her up and ask for her help. He tells her only that a crime is going to be committed and he's trying to prevent it. While he doesn't say so, Miss Teatime is positive he is one of those "American gangsters," or at least was one at one time...

While Purbright and his policemen try and figure out what the cryptic letters mean, Henry Crispin is planning on getting even with Hatch for destroying his boat. On the night of one of Hatch's revelries at his Floradora Club, Crispin has designed a plan of revenge of his own, and he doesn't realize that it will mask a murder about to take place.

It is only when a matter of coincidence occurs in Purbright's presence that all will be made clear as to what everything means...

While this book does begin a little slow, it leads into a plan that takes time to form. The characters are introduced, and the red herrings begin. While Purbright is seeking nuns - naked or otherwise - that may have drifted into his town (for what else could the letters mean?) life goes on pretty much as it should, but with Hatch growing ever more impatient and angry as he believes his life may very well be at stake.

The clues are well hidden in this little mystery, which has been reissued from its original date yet still remains quite a gem. Anyone who has read the previous Flaxborough mysteries will recognize some of the characters from those books (they drift in and out) of which we have become fond. I do love to watch Purbright go through the motions, as it were - while his chief thinks he is unambitious, he may very well be so; but he is an intelligent man who is able to take the clues and put them together nicely.

This book is no different than any of the others I have read. I have become quite fond of DI Purbright and the others in this town; even Miss Teatime - whom I wouldn't trust any farther than I could see her - has grown on me.

When the ending comes and everything is put together it comes as a complete surprise. In fact, it is only a matter of a chance meeting that puts it all together for Purbright himself. A delightful ending to an engaging mystery. Recommended.

I do like this series of books, they are a little old fashioned and do not challenge the grey cells too much, but as a means to while away a couple of hours they are ideal.

My review has been posted to Goodreads.

Review has also been tweeted as usual.

Thank you! :c)

This is another highly enjoyable title from the Flaxborough Mystery series. I wouldn't say "The Naked Nuns" and other Watson's works are something that appeal to most mystery readers especially if anyone wants fast, quick reads. Readers who devours vintage writing, dry humor and sarcasm would enjoy the series otherwise it would need a bit of work to get through it.

I have to admit I usually take some time to get into the Watson's writing but hard works are rewarded once I finish reading his books. The eccentricity and the unusual plots are something lure me to come back for more Colin Watson.

"The Naked Nuns" is another winner in the series.

This is the eighth book in Colin Watson's Flaxborough series, and the sixth I've read. As with the others, it centres on crimes committed within the town of Flaxborough, which seems to be populated by eccentrics and stereotypes. As usual, investigations are led by Detective Inspector Purbright, ably supported by Sergeant Love. As to be expected, some of it seems a little dated since its publication in the 1970s.

This book is quite unusual in that there is more the threat of a crime than actual crime, at least for a large proportion of the story. However, Watson's trademark humour and satirical eye carry the narrative along - his skewering of management consultants and competitive boat ownership are both accurate and funny. I also thought there were more amusing set pieces than in previous books, several of which have stuck in my mind; I defy anyone to remain straight-faced during the curtain incident!

Overall, slightly less crime in this book and a lot more showcasing of Flaxborough's eccentricities and quirky characters. Perhaps not everyone's idea of a great crime novel, but an engaging and entertaining read in my view.

Another fun detective story from Colin Watson, yes there's a murder, but it's sort of secondary to the story. It doesn't even happen until much further in the book than you would usually expect. This one is dateable because it mention's Richard Nixon - but I still have my suspicions that that may be a later addition as these books feel as though they are set in an earlier era. I see that he was writing detective novels from 1958 - 1982 - well published - but he seems to be firmly ensconsed in the 1950s. I love them and can't wait to read the next one.

These British police procedurals from the 70s being republished by Farrago Books UK are hilarious! In this outing, the eighth in the series, Flaxborough businessman Arnie Hatch is getting himself in trouble on several fronts.

First a cryptic cablegram to his business is intercepted by a nosey employee who believes it might be referring to white slave traffic and reports it to local police.

Then a romp in Hatch's bedroom involving hired girls and another paying businessman is witnessed in all its naked glory by a neighbor walking her dog when automatic curtains open and the action is spotlighted by a conveniently-stopped car's brilliant headlights. This too is reported to the police by the shocked neighbor.

Then Hatch and Councillor Crispin have a impromptu boat race on the river to prove whose is faster (and bigger)...with disastrous results.

And finally, local police are contacted by NY police who believe a hit man in enroute to Flaxborough with a contract to kill a local businessman...can they identify the hit man and his intended victim before it's too late??

Really funny stuff. Once again, I really enjoyed Colin Watson's descriptive writing style. Here is Hatch's impression of Inspector Purbright while he is being interviewed by the policeman:

"A long-legged, easy-going fellow who probably had never scraped more than fifty quid into one pile in his life. Likable enough, perhaps, but no drive. With that funny flax-colored hair, he looked like some big Viking who'd missed the boat home and gone soft."

I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to read these old mysteries featuring Inspector Purbright and his sidekick, Sergeant Love. Watson nails human nature in a most amusing way and gives the reader a look at British life of that 70s era. Very enjoyable, quick reads. I was able to guess 'whodunit' in this case but not the motive.

Thank you to Farrago Books and NetGalley for giving me access to the series for my honest opinion.

I'm really enjoying this series. I'm pretty much reading them one after the other as soon as they come out (or as soon as I spot that they've come out! This features a rivalry between two prominent members of the town, a death threat and some efficiency experts who speak gobbledy-gook nearly as brilliantly as the advertising execs in Broomsticks over Flaxborough!

I've got the next one cued up to read already.