If you didn’t already know I’m a big fan of twitter and you get to meet, tweet with and follow tweets of some brilliant and informative people. One of the people I follow being a book-junkie is Vintage Books and it was thanks to a tweet I found out about the reissue of some of Gladys Mitchell’s Mrs Bradley Mysteries, of which there are 66! Who knew.
I’ve only seen Mrs Bradley through the amazing and short-lived BBC adaptation. I’m not expecting it to be the same. I am hoping that they’re still be a bit of humour.
Anyone read any Gladys Mitchell? Anyone going to?
The Saltmarsh Murders
Originally published 1932
Re-issued by Vintage and out now
Noel Wells, curate in the sleepy village of Saltmarsh, likes to spend his time dancing in the study with the vicar’s niece until one day the vicar’s unpleasant wife discovers her unmarried housemaid is pregnant and trouble begins. It is left to Noel to call for the help of sometime-detective and full-time Freudian Mrs Bradley, who sets out on an unnervingly unorthodox investigation into the mysterious pregnancy, an investigation that also takes in a smuggler, the village lunatic, a missing corpse, a public pillory, an exhumation and, of course, a murderer.
Mrs. Bradley is easily one of the most memorable personalities in crime fiction and in this classic whodunit, she proves that some English villages can be murderously peaceful.
When Last I Died
Originally published 1941
Re-issued by Vintage and out now
When Mrs Bradley’s grandson finds an old diary in her rented cottage it attracts the interest of this most unconventional of detectives, for the book’s now deceased owner was once suspected of the murders of both her aunt and cousin. Does the missing diary finally reveal what happened to old Aunt Flora? Is the case of Bella Foxley really closed? And what happened to the boys from the local reformatory who went missing at the same time? As events unfold, Mrs. Bradley faces one of her most difficult cases to date, one that will keep readers guessing until the very end…
Tom Brown’s Body
Originally published 1942
Re-issued by Vintage and out now
Mrs Bradley is visiting the picturesque village of Spey in search of a local witch when Gerald Conway, a junior master at Spey College, is found murdered. Despised by both pupils and peers, there is no shortage of suspects, but can the redoubtable Mrs Bradley use tact, wit and just a touch of black magic to make the boys and their masters divulge the truth?
Maybe I’m philistine :>) but that’s the first time I read something about Gladys Mitchell. I must confess that I’m interested in her books. Unfortunately I’m totally filled up with books. I will add her to my book list.
I estimate it would be an advantage to read her books in order.
Anyway thanks a lot for mentioning her.
Maybe I'm philistine
but this is the first time that I read something about Gladys Mitchell.
I must confess that I'm interested in her Mrs Bradley series. Unfortunately I'm totally filled up with books but I will add her to my never ending book list.
Is there a reading order for her books?
If it wasn't for the TV series I'd be non the wiser, so it's not just you.
I'm not sure about a reading order, these are in publication date but that's only three from the 66 she wrote in the series. I have a feeling that these are probably highlights and you don't need to have read any of the others. Though I'm going to read them in order if I get hold of them.
I'm with you on packed reading pile.