Crime isn’t my preferred genre but recently I’ve been looking at some early Golden Age crime novels (Christie, Dorothy L Sayers) and this one by Christianna Brand seemed a logical next step. Set in a military hospital in WWII there is an unexpected death on the operating table and Inspector Cockrill decides to investigate further – perhaps it wasn’t a straightforward medical accident but a murder. The book then goes round and round narrating who could have been involved, who was there at the time, who might have had access to the operating theatre, who had an alibi etc. etc. All much as expected. And it’s a clever enough plot and the solution is relatively satisfying and I can see it ticks all the boxes for many readers. But personally I found it dull, dull, dull. Not helped by the fact that Inspector Cockrill is a bit of a non-entity. Nothing like the charismatic inspectors we get elsewhere, certainly no Poiret or Lord Peter Wimsey. The cast of doctors, nurses and VADs all seem to merge into one another, and are essentially little more than stereotypes. I did enjoy the historical setting but that was about all. Not tempted to try another Brand, for sure, as it all fell flat for me and I wasn’t engaged.

This an excellent mystery with plenty of the atmosphere of a hospital during The Blitz. A man dies on the morning on the operating table after he is injured in a bombing raid. Is he innocent? Does he have a connection to anyone at the hospital?

With plenty of questions and more criminal mischief, this book kept me guessing.

What a fantastic read! This is actually a reread for me of one of my favorite books.

Brand created an intricate plot that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat—and keeps them guessing until the very end. The writing is razor sharp and filled with dialogue that is witty and biting.. The atmosphere is enhanced with vivid detail of the setting — a military hospital in the English countryside at the height of World War II. And the war-time setting adds a layer of tension and uncertainty to the story, making it even more gripping.

The characterizations are fabulous. Inspector Cockrill, is intelligent, likeable and filled with humor. The suspects are a diverse group, each and every one is so well conceived, with their own unique personality and backstory. They are so relatable and their interactions so believable that the reader becomes invested in their stories and wanting to know what happens to them.

This book is timeless. A page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very end, Green for Danger is a classic crime novel that is a must-read for all fans of the genre.

I probably could have known from the first words of the summary (“Set in a military hospital during the blitz”) that this one wouldn’t be my cup of tea, but I’d been wanting to try one of Christianna Brand’s novels for a while so I went for it anyway…

Unfortunately, this one didn't have any good surprises in store for me. I really never could get into it and ended up skimming through most of it just to get to the big reveal. I didn’t like the setting and the characters were just insufferable.

Bumping my rating up to 2 stars though, because the intro by Martin Edwards was, as always, on point.

Readers will enjoy Green for Danger, the second in this sophisticated series from the 1940s about gruff Inspector Cockrill, more than the first. It’s the most famous of author Christianna Brand’s books, later made into a movie. Chain-smoking and disheveled, Cockrill early on deduces who the murderer is from a field of seven suspects, but can’t prove it. I thought I, too, had figured it out early on, but I was completely surprised. Unlike so many of the Golden Age mystery writers, Brand eschews sentimentality and provides a real picture of people, flaws, inconsistences and all, making it a perfect choice for modern readers.

Classic British Crime!

I read this originally over 20 years ago, followed by watching the film, then re-reading the book again and again and again, And still I am pleasantly surprised by the story and characters. It is one of those books that you will want to own to read and savour not just once but multiple times and still find enjoyment with each reading (or watching of the film)..

This is the second in the Inspector Cockrill series but can be read as a stand alone. I am looking forward to tracking down more in this series.

I love these old style mysteries that are so twisted and winding. Just when one thinks they know how, who and why to a murder, the trail goes in another direction and one stats unwinding again. This one is a real page turner - love it. Thanks you NetGalley and the publishers for the DRC

I continue my assault on the British Library Crime Classics reissues with “Green for Danger” by Christianna Brand, a murder mystery set in the 1940s in England during the Blitz. It is obvious that Ms. Brand has some experience with wartime hospitals as well as living through the air raids as this book does an excellent job of capturing both the fear and the drudgery of constant civilian bombing, the randomness of who lives and who dies.

We are introduced to the seven main characters through the postal letters that will bring them all to the hospital at Heron's Park in Kent, as well as to the postman who will be the first murder victim. There are three doctors: Dr. Eden, who attracts women in spite of himself, Dr. Moon, still mourning the loss of his son and wife, and Dr. Barnes, an anesthesiologist who has a questionable patient death in his background. Joining the list are four nurses: Jane Woods, an older plain woman and the sage of the group, Ester Sanson, escaping from her domineering mother, Frederica Linley, also escaping her homelife with a new stepmother in the picture, and finally Sister Marion Bates, always on the lookout for a husband.

We see the team working together, and this is where the routine life during wartime really shines through in Ms. Brand’s writing. When the aforementioned postman Joseph Higgins dies unexpectedly during a routine operation, Detective Inspector Cockrill is called to confirm that this was just an unfortunate incident. Cockrill determines that this looks like a deliberate murder, and when a second victim is found there can be no doubt. It soon becomes clear that only this closed circle had the opportunity to do the deeds, and we watch Cockrill put together the clues and figure out the motive and method to bring the killer to justice.

The mystery is a fair play whodunit, although the how seemed to be a bit obvious, but the final denouement was unexpected and surprising. But one needs to read this to understand what living through the Blitz was really like, to see how England went on its way during the war, to see how the hospitals kept the people going. A fine contemporary portrait.

I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

"Green for Danger" is a mystery set in 1943 in England. The author worked in details about what it was like working in a hospital during WWII during bombing raids, which was interesting. The characters were varied enough to be interesting, but they weren't really developed into complex people. Their backgrounds contained potential clues, so this information was only handed out bit by bit. The mystery was clue-based, though it seemed like the clues initially pointed only to the 7 suspects and the author could take it in any direction. Then one suspect died, so we're down to six. Near the end, the suspects discussed among themselves who could have done it, and these scenarios help further narrow down suspects. The author did a good job of giving the more obvious suspect, the one you feel clever at suspecting, and enough hints that you should at least somewhat suspect whodunit.

There was some bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting historical mystery.

closed-circle-mystery, suspense, suspicion, thriller, 1940, British-detective, British-crime-classics, golden-age-mysteries, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-setting, hospital, jealousies, Kent, murder, murder-investigation, law-enforcement, obsession, secrets, the-blitz*****

First published in 1944.
Set in a Kentish military hospital in 1940 which was commandeered for civilian use during The Blitz.
This classic whodunit drove me nutz trying to identify the killer. I needed some of the included info to guess the cause of death (due to changes in procedures, etc. over the years). I never did put together the motives until the end. Terrific character definition, especially Inspector Cockrill.
This story was even made into a film in 1946.
In the US, I have never seen a cannister of CO2 in a healthcare setting, and all Oxygen cannisters are green regardless of size since well before 1964.
I requested and received an EARC from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
Despite not including the excellent and informative Introduction by Martin Edwards, I gave my eyes a rest and bought the audio narrated brilliantly by Derek Perkins.

Suitably Claustrophobic…
Classic crime reissue and a tension fuelled offering. When a man is brought into a military hospital following a bombing raid but inexplicably dies from asphyxiation on the operating table suspicion abounds. Enter Inspector Cockrill. The investigation into murder most foul begins. A solid and immersive read with a well crafted cast, a small group of suspects and a suitably claustrophobic atmosphere.

Christiana Brand is an author I had been hearing good things about for some time, so I was keen to try try her out, and this one certainly didn't leave me disappointed.

It's set in a military hospital during WW2. In the first chapter we are introduced to several people about to take up posts there. Life in the hospital is pretty hectic, especially during and after the many air-raids taking place. On one night, and older gentleman is brought in from an air-raid, and the next morning he does on the operating table. Initially this is out for to a reaction to the anesthia, but later, when one of the nurses also ends up being stabbed it becomes clear that it was murder. There are only six people who could have done it, all good friends, but secrets start to emerge in the group.

I thought this was an excellent mystery; very readable and with a real sense of atmosphere. I have read that Brand wrote from experience, she lived near to a military hospital and her husband worked in one. I had thought I had guessed who the culprit was, but it turned out I was wrong.

I hope I can get to more of her books sooner rather than later.

*Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.*