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Francis Pettigrew #4
That Yew Tree's Shade
Francis Pettigrew, a former barrister and sometimes amateur detective, is plucked out of what promises to be a peaceful retirement in the Home Counties to deputise for the County Court judge. The proceedings offer him some unexpected insights into the lives of the new neighbours that he has - until now - only observed through his field glasses.
When the body of a penniless widow known for her good works is found on Yew Hill, a famous local beauty spot, Pettigrew is drawn into the case as a witness. Despite his best efforts to leave the inquiry to the police, it is he, with the unconscious help of a teenage boy, who puts the finishing touches on the solution.
When the body of a penniless widow known for her good works is found on Yew Hill, a famous local beauty spot, Pettigrew is drawn into the case as a witness. Despite his best efforts to leave the inquiry to the police, it is he, with the unconscious help of a teenage boy, who puts the finishing touches on the solution.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1954
54 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Cyril Hare
87 books99 followersCyril Hare was the pseudonymn of Alfred Alexander Gordon Clark who was the third son of Henry Herbert Gordon Clark of Mickleham Hall, a merchant in the wine and spirit trade in the family firm of Matthew Clark & Sons.
Having spent most of his formative years in the country where he learned to hunt, shoot and fish, he was educated at St Aubyn's, Rottingdean and Rugby, where he won a prize for writing English verse, before reading history at New College, Oxford, where he gained a first class degree.
His family tradition indicated a legal career and he was duly called to the bar in 1924 and he joined the firm of famed lawyer Ronald Oliver and went on to practice in the civil and criminal courts in and around London.
He was 36 when he began his writing career and he picked his pseudonymn from Hare Court, where he worked, and Cyril Mansions, Battersea, where he lived after he had married Mary Barbara Lawrence in 1933. The couple had one son and two daughters.
His first literary endeavours were short, flippant sketches for Punch magazine and he had articles published in the Illustrated London News and The Law Journal. His first detective novel, 'Tenant for Death' was published in 1937 and it was called 'an engaging debut'.
During the early years of World War II he toured as a judge's marshall and he used his experiences as the basis for his fourth novel 'Tragedy at Law', which was published in 1942. In that same year he became a civil servant with the Director of Public Prosecutions and in the latter stages of the war he worked in the Ministry of Economic Warfare, where his experiences proved invaluable when writing 'With a Bare Bodkin' in 1946.
He was appointed county court judge for Surrey in 1950 and he spent his time between travelling the circuit trying civil cases and writing his detective fiction.
In addition to these two strings to his bow, he was a noted public speaker and was often in demand by a wide variety of societies. But his workload did curtail his literary output, which was also hampered by the fact that he did not use a typewriter, and his reputation, very good as it is in the field of detective fiction, stands on nine novels and a host of short stories. He also wrote a children's book, 'The Magic Bottle' in 1946 and a play, 'The House of Warbeck' in 1955.
He has left two enduting characters in Inspector Mallett of Scotland Yard, who featured in three novels, and Francis Pettigrew, an amateur sleuth, who also featured in three novels. In addition the two appeared together in two other novels, 'Tragedy at Law' (1942) and 'He Should Have Died Hereafter' (1958).
Having suffered from tuberculosis for some time, he died at his home near Boxhill, Surrey on 25 August 1958, aged only 57. After his death Michael Gilbert introduced a fine collection of his short stories entitled 'The Best Detective Stories of Cyril Hare', in which he paid due tribute to a fellow lawyer and mystery writer.
Gerry Wolstenholme
June 2011
Having spent most of his formative years in the country where he learned to hunt, shoot and fish, he was educated at St Aubyn's, Rottingdean and Rugby, where he won a prize for writing English verse, before reading history at New College, Oxford, where he gained a first class degree.
His family tradition indicated a legal career and he was duly called to the bar in 1924 and he joined the firm of famed lawyer Ronald Oliver and went on to practice in the civil and criminal courts in and around London.
He was 36 when he began his writing career and he picked his pseudonymn from Hare Court, where he worked, and Cyril Mansions, Battersea, where he lived after he had married Mary Barbara Lawrence in 1933. The couple had one son and two daughters.
His first literary endeavours were short, flippant sketches for Punch magazine and he had articles published in the Illustrated London News and The Law Journal. His first detective novel, 'Tenant for Death' was published in 1937 and it was called 'an engaging debut'.
During the early years of World War II he toured as a judge's marshall and he used his experiences as the basis for his fourth novel 'Tragedy at Law', which was published in 1942. In that same year he became a civil servant with the Director of Public Prosecutions and in the latter stages of the war he worked in the Ministry of Economic Warfare, where his experiences proved invaluable when writing 'With a Bare Bodkin' in 1946.
He was appointed county court judge for Surrey in 1950 and he spent his time between travelling the circuit trying civil cases and writing his detective fiction.
In addition to these two strings to his bow, he was a noted public speaker and was often in demand by a wide variety of societies. But his workload did curtail his literary output, which was also hampered by the fact that he did not use a typewriter, and his reputation, very good as it is in the field of detective fiction, stands on nine novels and a host of short stories. He also wrote a children's book, 'The Magic Bottle' in 1946 and a play, 'The House of Warbeck' in 1955.
He has left two enduting characters in Inspector Mallett of Scotland Yard, who featured in three novels, and Francis Pettigrew, an amateur sleuth, who also featured in three novels. In addition the two appeared together in two other novels, 'Tragedy at Law' (1942) and 'He Should Have Died Hereafter' (1958).
Having suffered from tuberculosis for some time, he died at his home near Boxhill, Surrey on 25 August 1958, aged only 57. After his death Michael Gilbert introduced a fine collection of his short stories entitled 'The Best Detective Stories of Cyril Hare', in which he paid due tribute to a fellow lawyer and mystery writer.
Gerry Wolstenholme
June 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 27, 2020
I would judge this book to hover betwen 3.5 and 4 stars. Cyril Hare is a fine writer, and his mysteries are usually good reading. This one takes place in a small town with Mrs. Pink being the focal point. Several characters mention what a good person she is. Unfortunately, that is not the adjective I'd use about that woman. Francis Pettigrew is called out of retirement to preside at a County Court, and of course becomes involved in a case of murder, much to the chagrin of DS Tremble. This is an enjoyable day's read abut a time when there was no Internet nor up-to-the minute forensic capabilities.
January 22, 2023
Always searching for mystery writers who can hold a candle to Agatha Christie. Cyril Hare falls short
Plot was decent. Characters flat and predictable.
Plot was decent. Characters flat and predictable.
October 10, 2023
The last of my stash of Cyril Hare’s books (for now - there are 3 left to get).
In the 4th instalment of Francis Pettigrew’s mysteries we find Pettigrew has moved to a new village but is still happily semi-retired in the countryside.
He is asked to stand in for a circuit judge who’d been taken ill. During his time on the bench he finds a great deal about his new neighbours.
Shortly afterwards one of the women in the village is found dead.
With at least 4 valid suspects in the vicinity at the requisite time can Pettigrew find any clues to set before his friend the Chief Constable?
In the 4th instalment of Francis Pettigrew’s mysteries we find Pettigrew has moved to a new village but is still happily semi-retired in the countryside.
He is asked to stand in for a circuit judge who’d been taken ill. During his time on the bench he finds a great deal about his new neighbours.
Shortly afterwards one of the women in the village is found dead.
With at least 4 valid suspects in the vicinity at the requisite time can Pettigrew find any clues to set before his friend the Chief Constable?
March 5, 2023
This is the fourth book in this series, and like those before it Hare manages to mislead the reader. In this Pettigrew has to stand-in for a local judge. Doing this he is introdueced to many of the local residents, as a number of them are in court answering claims for debts. Among them is a Mrs Pink, who rents a small cottage in the village, owned by a local garage owner, a Mr Todman. The owner wants Mrs Pink to vacate the cottage, as his family has grown in numbers and need the dwelling. Mrs Pink maintains that without the cottage she would be destitute. Mrs Pink is a woman who does a lot of work for the comunity and the church and Pettigrew's decision, based on the law, allows her to stay in dwelling. This causes a lot of bad feelings, and when Mrs Pink is found dead in the local woods, more information is learnt about the lady's past. As the holiday season has started, the village attracks a huge number of trippers and siteseers, which means that the any clues are very difficult to find.
I enjoyed this book, and was so pleased that the suspect I was considering was a completely wrong, although the ending was not an ideal happy-ever-after for everyone.
I enjoyed this book, and was so pleased that the suspect I was considering was a completely wrong, although the ending was not an ideal happy-ever-after for everyone.
July 14, 2019
I consider Cyril Hare as one of my very select pantheon of perfect crime writers. He’s not got the biting wit of Berkeley or the playfulness of Crispin or Mitchell or the showiness of a Dickson Carr or the all round brilliance of an Allingham, but what he always does have is an unerring sense of elegance and simplicity. He’s a writer of small scenes and some can find him a bit dry, but Pettigrew and his wife and lovely little creations and Hare is a master of creating a vignette without forcing the elements into place.
Christie, for her many talents, often just created types for her novels who never remotely felt real. Hare seems to create his puzzle and then populate it with characters who are mostly vivid and interesting. The weak link in this is the angry landlord, Todman, but even then Hare really turns him into a festering ball of frustration and anger and bitterness so that the sense of cliche is minimised. Far more vivid is the still pretty relevant Humphrey Rose, a caddish financier and the slightly gauche and self important teenager, Godfrey, who actually feels like a slightly pretentious teenager with delusions of grandeur whilst also being deeply sympathetic (but while also believably annoying almost everyone in the book other than Pettigrew and a couple of others for his slight priggishness)
But Hare’s real genius is his solutions. Some people find them a bit of a cheat because they rely on some pretty arcane legal knowledge (although, to be fair, this is probably the most easy to grasp solution yet for someone with no experience with the law), but I find them really elegant little solutions. There’s no sense of a plot circling itself wildly or going through insane arcs of coincidence to make it work. For me, a Hare book is like a jigsaw puzzle whose solution is that last puzzle piece that finally makes the previously obtuse and difficult to fathom images around it make sense. He’s not failed me yet and he hasn’t failed me here. Wonderful
Christie, for her many talents, often just created types for her novels who never remotely felt real. Hare seems to create his puzzle and then populate it with characters who are mostly vivid and interesting. The weak link in this is the angry landlord, Todman, but even then Hare really turns him into a festering ball of frustration and anger and bitterness so that the sense of cliche is minimised. Far more vivid is the still pretty relevant Humphrey Rose, a caddish financier and the slightly gauche and self important teenager, Godfrey, who actually feels like a slightly pretentious teenager with delusions of grandeur whilst also being deeply sympathetic (but while also believably annoying almost everyone in the book other than Pettigrew and a couple of others for his slight priggishness)
But Hare’s real genius is his solutions. Some people find them a bit of a cheat because they rely on some pretty arcane legal knowledge (although, to be fair, this is probably the most easy to grasp solution yet for someone with no experience with the law), but I find them really elegant little solutions. There’s no sense of a plot circling itself wildly or going through insane arcs of coincidence to make it work. For me, a Hare book is like a jigsaw puzzle whose solution is that last puzzle piece that finally makes the previously obtuse and difficult to fathom images around it make sense. He’s not failed me yet and he hasn’t failed me here. Wonderful
January 22, 2023
The sagacity of American publishers in evidence again.
This book was published in England in 1954 under the appalling title - "That Yew Tree's Shade." It was reprinted in America with the vastly improved title "Death Walks the Woods." When it was converted to an ebook, Amazon wisely went with the second title. The story DOES feature a protected "beauty spot" with many large yew trees. The huge, ancient trees add to the allure, since they were reportedly revered by the Druids in pre-Christian times. The English love folk lore, accurate or absurd.
In my pre-Kindle days, I was already a big fan of Cyril Hare's mysteries, but could never find a copy of this one. It's the fourth in the "Francis Pettigrew" series and one of the best. Pettigrew is now happily retired and even more happily married. His strong-minded young wife has inherited a small house on Yew Hill and persuaded her husband to move into it. The view from his office window gives him a front-row seat on all the comings and goings on Yew Hill and it's surprisingly entertaining.
The small village has the usual number of oddballs found in English mysteries. The local celebrity (a writer of unreadable Victorian novels and poetry) is long since gone, although there's a small museum in his honor. Since the breakup of the big estate, Lady Furlong has established herself as the village despot.
Eleanor Pettigrew meets with her approval, having INHERITED her house (as opposed to buying it) and having spent some of her childhood living there. Francis Pettigrew is accepted as Eleanor's husband, with a noticeable lack of enthusiasm on the part of both Pettigrew and Lady Furlong. In her realm, the "gentry" are expected to do volunteer work, under her direction, of course.
She gives grudging credit to Mrs Pink, who's nobody, but willing to do all the grunt work for Lady Furlong's many charities. And she's is on the fence about Mr Wendon, who owns a small, unprofitable farm, but who went to Harrow! That means he grew up in a wealthy, socially prominent family, but the money has disappeared and any good nature Mr Wendon ever had went with it.
Pettigrew gets a rude introduction to the less appealing sides of his neighbors when he fills in for an ailing judge in local court. Mr Wendon owes money to everyone and refuses to pay. To Mr Wendon, HE is the victim and he has no pity left for others. Sweet Mrs Pink's landlord is trying to force her to move out of a tiny house she rents from him. At first it looks like she might have to go, but Pettigrew remembers an obscure fact of genetics and an even more obscure law and Mrs Pink is safe.
While the American economy boomed at the end of WWII, the English economy was grim. Rationing continued, encouraging even honest people to become criminals. Much housing had been destroyed by German bombers and the rebuilding was slow. The lack of housing drives the action in this book, as does the flourishing Black Market trade. Both understandable in view of England's post-war economy.
This is the second old English mystery I've read recently where the situation is complicated by a strictly-enforced law against farmers slaughtering and selling their own pork. The other book appeared in 1930, so the law must have predated WWII by some years. I'd like to think that it was passed due to concern for the production of sanitary food, but I suspect it's a well-funded lobbying effort by the Pork Packers Association.
An attractive, sophisticated lady has taken over a nearby house and her teen son is now living with her. He lost sight of his mother when she deserted the family years back. Raised by a conservative college professor, his mother's free and easy ways are a shock to him. Francis Pettigrew is childless, but sympathetic. He takes the young boy under his wing and together they solve a murder.
Unlike many traditional English mysteries, the victim is NOT a scoundrel, but an almost saintly woman. How could such a woman have enemies? Pettigrew recognizes her unassailable integrity, but suspects she isn't being completely forth-coming about the details of her past. What is her relationship with the jovial new-comer who's visiting young Godfrey Ransome's mother? And why on earth is surly Mr Wendom interested in her? Then there's that hot-tempered landlord who wants her gone. How far is he willing to go to get rid of her?
All of them (and plenty of other people) were going up and down Yew Hill on the day of the murder. Now reluctant amateur detective Francis Pettigrew has to figure out their REAL reasons for being there and how they fit into the puzzle.
I love the quirky Chief Constable, who's trying to take advantage of Pettigrew's experience without offending his touchy police detective. Since Superintendent Trimble is offended by anything that shows his incompetence, it's a hopeless battle, but the always optimistic Chief Constable McWilliam plows on.
It has all the requirements of a good traditional mystery - a murder, several suspects with obvious motives and several with not-so-obvious ones. The finale is surprising (at least to me) and deeply sad. "Cyril Hare" was a lawyer and judge who had seen many needless tragedies caused by anger and greed. His books are fine reading and I'm only sorry he didn't live to write more of them.
This book was published in England in 1954 under the appalling title - "That Yew Tree's Shade." It was reprinted in America with the vastly improved title "Death Walks the Woods." When it was converted to an ebook, Amazon wisely went with the second title. The story DOES feature a protected "beauty spot" with many large yew trees. The huge, ancient trees add to the allure, since they were reportedly revered by the Druids in pre-Christian times. The English love folk lore, accurate or absurd.
In my pre-Kindle days, I was already a big fan of Cyril Hare's mysteries, but could never find a copy of this one. It's the fourth in the "Francis Pettigrew" series and one of the best. Pettigrew is now happily retired and even more happily married. His strong-minded young wife has inherited a small house on Yew Hill and persuaded her husband to move into it. The view from his office window gives him a front-row seat on all the comings and goings on Yew Hill and it's surprisingly entertaining.
The small village has the usual number of oddballs found in English mysteries. The local celebrity (a writer of unreadable Victorian novels and poetry) is long since gone, although there's a small museum in his honor. Since the breakup of the big estate, Lady Furlong has established herself as the village despot.
Eleanor Pettigrew meets with her approval, having INHERITED her house (as opposed to buying it) and having spent some of her childhood living there. Francis Pettigrew is accepted as Eleanor's husband, with a noticeable lack of enthusiasm on the part of both Pettigrew and Lady Furlong. In her realm, the "gentry" are expected to do volunteer work, under her direction, of course.
She gives grudging credit to Mrs Pink, who's nobody, but willing to do all the grunt work for Lady Furlong's many charities. And she's is on the fence about Mr Wendon, who owns a small, unprofitable farm, but who went to Harrow! That means he grew up in a wealthy, socially prominent family, but the money has disappeared and any good nature Mr Wendon ever had went with it.
Pettigrew gets a rude introduction to the less appealing sides of his neighbors when he fills in for an ailing judge in local court. Mr Wendon owes money to everyone and refuses to pay. To Mr Wendon, HE is the victim and he has no pity left for others. Sweet Mrs Pink's landlord is trying to force her to move out of a tiny house she rents from him. At first it looks like she might have to go, but Pettigrew remembers an obscure fact of genetics and an even more obscure law and Mrs Pink is safe.
While the American economy boomed at the end of WWII, the English economy was grim. Rationing continued, encouraging even honest people to become criminals. Much housing had been destroyed by German bombers and the rebuilding was slow. The lack of housing drives the action in this book, as does the flourishing Black Market trade. Both understandable in view of England's post-war economy.
This is the second old English mystery I've read recently where the situation is complicated by a strictly-enforced law against farmers slaughtering and selling their own pork. The other book appeared in 1930, so the law must have predated WWII by some years. I'd like to think that it was passed due to concern for the production of sanitary food, but I suspect it's a well-funded lobbying effort by the Pork Packers Association.
An attractive, sophisticated lady has taken over a nearby house and her teen son is now living with her. He lost sight of his mother when she deserted the family years back. Raised by a conservative college professor, his mother's free and easy ways are a shock to him. Francis Pettigrew is childless, but sympathetic. He takes the young boy under his wing and together they solve a murder.
Unlike many traditional English mysteries, the victim is NOT a scoundrel, but an almost saintly woman. How could such a woman have enemies? Pettigrew recognizes her unassailable integrity, but suspects she isn't being completely forth-coming about the details of her past. What is her relationship with the jovial new-comer who's visiting young Godfrey Ransome's mother? And why on earth is surly Mr Wendom interested in her? Then there's that hot-tempered landlord who wants her gone. How far is he willing to go to get rid of her?
All of them (and plenty of other people) were going up and down Yew Hill on the day of the murder. Now reluctant amateur detective Francis Pettigrew has to figure out their REAL reasons for being there and how they fit into the puzzle.
I love the quirky Chief Constable, who's trying to take advantage of Pettigrew's experience without offending his touchy police detective. Since Superintendent Trimble is offended by anything that shows his incompetence, it's a hopeless battle, but the always optimistic Chief Constable McWilliam plows on.
It has all the requirements of a good traditional mystery - a murder, several suspects with obvious motives and several with not-so-obvious ones. The finale is surprising (at least to me) and deeply sad. "Cyril Hare" was a lawyer and judge who had seen many needless tragedies caused by anger and greed. His books are fine reading and I'm only sorry he didn't live to write more of them.
April 13, 2018
Highly readable but somewhat straightforward classic mystery. Full review soon at classicmystery.wordpress.com
March 6, 2022
You jump right into the story, Pettigrew and wife are still getting the hang of living in their new town and they are getting to know more and more of their neighbors. Meeting all these people are done so well, they each have something that lurks below in a quiet way. Pettigrew, who is asked to be a substitute judge, gets to see just how dismal life gets for a brief stint. It also gives him some glances a bit deeper into some of the people than they would like to have.
The surroundings even have a present day desperation marked by past elegance and interest. The murder takes place in a "beauty spot" where people come to see the area a past writer lived and wrote. But today the place where the writer lived; though a historical spot, is also crumbling.
Great story to try and figure out who did it and to also watch how desperate people conduct themselves to retain scraps of self-importance. (Truly a story of- deep waters.)
The surroundings even have a present day desperation marked by past elegance and interest. The murder takes place in a "beauty spot" where people come to see the area a past writer lived and wrote. But today the place where the writer lived; though a historical spot, is also crumbling.
Great story to try and figure out who did it and to also watch how desperate people conduct themselves to retain scraps of self-importance. (Truly a story of- deep waters.)
September 11, 2023
These are unusual mysteries; they are linked by a fellow who does very little detecting: no interviewing suspects, no looking for clues, no gathering everyone in the parlour so he can work through his conclusion in public. In this case once he solved it (which he didn't have to, he just happened to solve it) he steered the conversation deftly towards a subject which led the actual police detective to have a sudden realisation. As far as he knows, he solved it, but we know the truth.
So there's a bit of an especially relaxed quality to these tales, since our recurring protagonist has no need to solve any of these cases. He just might—and does. But if he didn't, sobeit, it wasn't his job in the first place. I rather like that.
Note to future self: this is the one with the unfaithful lady in the house on the hill, her newly-arrived young adult son, and quite a lot of tension as to whether Mrs. Pink will have to vacate Mr. Todman's house to make way for his daughter Marlene ...
(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)
So there's a bit of an especially relaxed quality to these tales, since our recurring protagonist has no need to solve any of these cases. He just might—and does. But if he didn't, sobeit, it wasn't his job in the first place. I rather like that.
Note to future self: this is the one with the unfaithful lady in the house on the hill, her newly-arrived young adult son, and quite a lot of tension as to whether Mrs. Pink will have to vacate Mr. Todman's house to make way for his daughter Marlene ...
(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)
November 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this book which I found quite a gentle leisurely read of the murder of a village woman at a local beauty spot. The hero of the book is the lawyer (with a very unfortunately surname for Harry Potter fans) Francis Pettigrew who has moved with his younger wife to a picturesque village in Markshire where he discovers the difficulties of writing when there's a lovely scene to look at out of the window, although whether he thinks the view so lovely after he is the last one to see the victim as she walks down the hill. The victim was Mrs Pink, a village woman and widow who helped out by doing a lot of the arranging, secretarial work for the local events and committees. Early on it is proved, during a court case presided over by Francis Pettigrew when he is called to sit as a county court judge due to illness, that Mrs Pink has a very limited income with virtually no savings so is unable to move as she has no money to go anywhere else, but it is then discovered that the cottage she rents unfurnished is actually full of good quality furniture and pictures.
I think the small cast of characters are well described and a very interesting group of people.
First there's the victim Mrs Pink who seems to be a universally liked woman, being described by those she work's for on committee's as 'a good woman', which Pettigrew agrees with but also adds obstinate, whilst to the villagers she is considered to be mean, someone who hoards money and is generally disliked in a non-violent sort of way. I really like the way these two different viewpoints are shown and absolutely love the village constable who is able to give the villagers' take.
Then there's the lady who lives at The Alps who divorced her husband when her son was small, was more happy to have left her son in her ex-husband's custody and may or may not have lived/been living in sin, but was certainly never visited by the 'gentry' Lady Furlong. Described as easy going why is she so hostile to Mrs Pink, when she discovers her son invited the lady in to have some tea she turns icy cold with rage. Also at The Alps is her 17 year old son, who's father having died is experimenting with living with his mother during the Easter holidays, who likes Mrs Pink and feels sorry for her. Then the 'gentleman' small-holder who was at Harrow with Lady Furlong's nephew but lost his money and now spends his time and very limited resources buying equipment which is ultimately useless and providing black market pork (set in the early 1950s rationing is still in effect), and who may or may not be considering a romance with Mrs Pink after he's seen the inside of her cottage. There's the garage man who owns the cottage Mrs Pink rents and is desparate to get her out of the cottage so his very pregnant daughter and her husband can move in. A hot tempered man who, when he is unable to legally evict Mrs Pink, resorts to not-quite-but-nearly knocking her off her bicycle as she bikes up the hill on which she is later murdered. And finally the politican swindler who having served his time in prison comes to stay at The Alps, does he know Mrs Pink?
What makes this so interesting is the time period it's set in when along with rationing goes a lack of housing, something relevant to today. The court case involving Mrs Pink being a case in point. Mrs Pink has a very limited income and virtually no savings and wishes to stay in or around the village she grew up in, although she moved away when she married, but there is nothing available or certainly nothing affordable, whilst the landlord Mr Todman needs the cottage back as his very pregnant daughter and son-in-law who was just out of the army are having to live in one room over his garage. I usually find that murders involving lawyers can be quite dry and go on about points of law, but I found the chapter where Pettigrew is acting as judge having to make some difficult housing decisions contrasting with his more humoros job of dealing with those in trouble for non-payment of debts absorbing.
I think the small cast of characters are well described and a very interesting group of people.
First there's the victim Mrs Pink who seems to be a universally liked woman, being described by those she work's for on committee's as 'a good woman', which Pettigrew agrees with but also adds obstinate, whilst to the villagers she is considered to be mean, someone who hoards money and is generally disliked in a non-violent sort of way. I really like the way these two different viewpoints are shown and absolutely love the village constable who is able to give the villagers' take.
Then there's the lady who lives at The Alps who divorced her husband when her son was small, was more happy to have left her son in her ex-husband's custody and may or may not have lived/been living in sin, but was certainly never visited by the 'gentry' Lady Furlong. Described as easy going why is she so hostile to Mrs Pink, when she discovers her son invited the lady in to have some tea she turns icy cold with rage. Also at The Alps is her 17 year old son, who's father having died is experimenting with living with his mother during the Easter holidays, who likes Mrs Pink and feels sorry for her. Then the 'gentleman' small-holder who was at Harrow with Lady Furlong's nephew but lost his money and now spends his time and very limited resources buying equipment which is ultimately useless and providing black market pork (set in the early 1950s rationing is still in effect), and who may or may not be considering a romance with Mrs Pink after he's seen the inside of her cottage. There's the garage man who owns the cottage Mrs Pink rents and is desparate to get her out of the cottage so his very pregnant daughter and her husband can move in. A hot tempered man who, when he is unable to legally evict Mrs Pink, resorts to not-quite-but-nearly knocking her off her bicycle as she bikes up the hill on which she is later murdered. And finally the politican swindler who having served his time in prison comes to stay at The Alps, does he know Mrs Pink?
What makes this so interesting is the time period it's set in when along with rationing goes a lack of housing, something relevant to today. The court case involving Mrs Pink being a case in point. Mrs Pink has a very limited income and virtually no savings and wishes to stay in or around the village she grew up in, although she moved away when she married, but there is nothing available or certainly nothing affordable, whilst the landlord Mr Todman needs the cottage back as his very pregnant daughter and son-in-law who was just out of the army are having to live in one room over his garage. I usually find that murders involving lawyers can be quite dry and go on about points of law, but I found the chapter where Pettigrew is acting as judge having to make some difficult housing decisions contrasting with his more humoros job of dealing with those in trouble for non-payment of debts absorbing.
March 5, 2023
4.5 stars - Hare has become a favorite - his reluctant amateur sleuth Francis Pettigrew, retired solicitor, substitute judge at the opening of this mystery, is smart, funny, decent, self-deprecating. The Golden Age series is very enjoyable and entertaining and based in the author’s own experience as a lawyer and judge.
A judge is ill and Pettigrew is asked to sub; Hare writes humorously, effectively and wryly of the cases before him, citizens falling on hard times, disputes between landlords and tenants, collections. One case is between a nasty little landlord, Todman, and Mrs. Pink, a truly good widow who does all sorts of good works in the village, and rents a cottage from him. He wants her out, as his daughter has just had a baby, and the grandparents want the young couple and child out of their crowded home. Mrs. Pink says she has no where to go. Pettigrew decides according to the law, but there are hard feelings. When Mrs. Pink is found dead in the woods, the police are stumped - who would do this to such a good woman?
Hare writes with his usual wry humor about the hassles of living in a picturesque village like Yew Hill, with day trippers tramping about; village gossip; rationing; housing shortages, many aspects of post-war British life. There’s always more than a mystery, which always has a sensible solution, usually found in the inner workings of the law. Hare writes about human nature, and imbues his characters with quirks, faults, and believable motivations. I really enjoy his books!
A judge is ill and Pettigrew is asked to sub; Hare writes humorously, effectively and wryly of the cases before him, citizens falling on hard times, disputes between landlords and tenants, collections. One case is between a nasty little landlord, Todman, and Mrs. Pink, a truly good widow who does all sorts of good works in the village, and rents a cottage from him. He wants her out, as his daughter has just had a baby, and the grandparents want the young couple and child out of their crowded home. Mrs. Pink says she has no where to go. Pettigrew decides according to the law, but there are hard feelings. When Mrs. Pink is found dead in the woods, the police are stumped - who would do this to such a good woman?
Hare writes with his usual wry humor about the hassles of living in a picturesque village like Yew Hill, with day trippers tramping about; village gossip; rationing; housing shortages, many aspects of post-war British life. There’s always more than a mystery, which always has a sensible solution, usually found in the inner workings of the law. Hare writes about human nature, and imbues his characters with quirks, faults, and believable motivations. I really enjoy his books!
September 17, 2019
Francis Pettigrew wants to enjoy a peaceful retirement, with his lovely wife and occasional legal work. But that is not to be. Standing in for an indisposed judge, he hears a civil case and rules for the defendant, the quietly dignified Mrs. Pink, pillar of the parish and all-round excellent woman, which does not endear him to the other party involved in the court case. He is also perturbed to hear that Humphrey Rose, convicted con man, ex-MP and smooth-talking swindler, is staying with a neighboring lady, to the distress of that lady's teenage son. And finally, there is Wendon, former Harrow student, now come down in the world and somehow eking out a living as a chicken and pig farmer. In a small village, these people can't avoid meeting, and soon it becomes apparent that there are prior relationships between all of these folks. But when a dead body is found, it's not that of the universally despised Mr. Rose, but of the respected Mrs. Pink. Who could have wanted this kind lady dead? Francis Pettigrew somehow finds himself involved again as an amateur sleuth, going against the zealous but single-minded local Detective Inspector.
March 7, 2023
I have really enjoyed discovered Cyril Hare's work and his Francis Pettigrew series. This is the fourth book featuring Pettigrew and was first published in 1954. Pettigrew and his wife, Eleanor, have moved to a house that she inherited in Yew Hill. The house is in a beauty spot, with lovely views, and Eleanor is delighting in becoming more involved in the community. A stalwart of the parish is Mrs Pink, a widow who is given to good works and Lady Furlong is keen to also invite Eleanor. However, when Mrs Pink is found dead, Pettigrew becomes unwillingly involved in the investigation.
This was so much fun, with a good cast of characters and possible motives. I enjoyed the reapparance of Trimble, now promoted to Detective Superintendent, and the kindly Chief Constable, Mr MacWilliam. There are also some wonderful scenes where Pettigrew is asked to take over as County Court Judge due to the illness of Judge Jefferson, whose job he had previously applied for. Hare is one of the best Golden Age detective fiction writers and his work deserves to be rediscovered. I am glad that I found him.
This was so much fun, with a good cast of characters and possible motives. I enjoyed the reapparance of Trimble, now promoted to Detective Superintendent, and the kindly Chief Constable, Mr MacWilliam. There are also some wonderful scenes where Pettigrew is asked to take over as County Court Judge due to the illness of Judge Jefferson, whose job he had previously applied for. Hare is one of the best Golden Age detective fiction writers and his work deserves to be rediscovered. I am glad that I found him.
March 16, 2025
Another fun Golden Age of Crime Detection mystery read by Cyril Hare, featuring his lawyer-amateur sleuth Francis Pettigrew.
The story begins with Pettigrew and his wife (and former secretary) seemingly enjoying the country life in Markshire. At the beginning of the book they meet Lady Lady Furlong, and soon come to know a large portion of the community, from the farmer who sells chickens (as well as pork, illegally), to the young man visiting his mother for the first time in several years. And then there is Mrs. Pink, a poor widow woman who seems to be too charitable, to willing to do good works that, as to be expected, she ends up dead.
Clues fall fast and furious but nothing seems to stick, particularly, the fact that the woman's unknown husband —and just released from prison swindler — is in the vicinity. No one talks to the police and makes a lick of sense, so its up to Pettigrew and young Godfrey Ransome, to aid them in the who, the why and how. It is indeed, a very twisted tale excellently told and one that has a dash of humor as well as seriousness in equal measure.
The story begins with Pettigrew and his wife (and former secretary) seemingly enjoying the country life in Markshire. At the beginning of the book they meet Lady Lady Furlong, and soon come to know a large portion of the community, from the farmer who sells chickens (as well as pork, illegally), to the young man visiting his mother for the first time in several years. And then there is Mrs. Pink, a poor widow woman who seems to be too charitable, to willing to do good works that, as to be expected, she ends up dead.
Clues fall fast and furious but nothing seems to stick, particularly, the fact that the woman's unknown husband —and just released from prison swindler — is in the vicinity. No one talks to the police and makes a lick of sense, so its up to Pettigrew and young Godfrey Ransome, to aid them in the who, the why and how. It is indeed, a very twisted tale excellently told and one that has a dash of humor as well as seriousness in equal measure.
October 23, 2023
Although this has the highest GR rating of the Pettigrew books, I thought it was a little weaker compared to its forebears. Pettigrew has less reason to be on scene than in the other books - . I suppose that makes his deductions all the more powerful, but I preferred his more active involvement in the earlier books.
No mention of Inspector Mallett, but the two policemen from the previous book return. I was a bit disappointed in Insp (now Supt) Trimble, one would have thought .
No mention of Inspector Mallett, but the two policemen from the previous book return. I was a bit disappointed in Insp (now Supt) Trimble, one would have thought .
September 24, 2023
In Cyril Hare’s “Death Walks the Woods” (1954), Barrister Francis Pettigrew and his wife reside in a small village outside of London after the war. Pettigrew meets some of the townsfolk when he replaces the County Court Judge, who is recovering from an illness. The author’s descriptions of the cases are entertaining. A middle-aged woman (Mrs. Pink), who had been involved in one of the cases appearing before him, is murdered. As luck would have it, Pettigrew was one of the last people to see Mrs. Pink enter the forest where she was slain. Consequently, he is drawn into the case. Who would want to murder a woman who served selflessly on many community committees? This is a delightfully witty mystery with an interesting plot. Highly recommended.
December 5, 2024
4.5* - Another excellent offering from an undervalued author
I find I really enjoy the writing of Cyril Hare. HIs characters are well rounded and there is no dependency on tricks and sleights of hand to move the action forward. The humour in this book, like all of his work, is spot in. Mystery books need a little humour to season them and Hare is a master at this.
Pettigrew is less dominant in this book but the detective is an engaging character with just enough irascibility to fit the role. The Chief Constable is also a man with a brain which makes a pleasant change.
I do wish this author had been able to write more books and I recommend this freely.
I find I really enjoy the writing of Cyril Hare. HIs characters are well rounded and there is no dependency on tricks and sleights of hand to move the action forward. The humour in this book, like all of his work, is spot in. Mystery books need a little humour to season them and Hare is a master at this.
Pettigrew is less dominant in this book but the detective is an engaging character with just enough irascibility to fit the role. The Chief Constable is also a man with a brain which makes a pleasant change.
I do wish this author had been able to write more books and I recommend this freely.
March 31, 2019
Interesting and well-written mystery, featuring Francis Pettigrew, Detective-Superintendent Trimble and Chief Constable MacWilliam.
The investigation is into the murder of the worthy Mrs Pink who is described as:-
"Not only exceptionally good, of course, but also more than ordinarily obstinate. And rather stupid as well. Isn't it lamentable, by the way, how often those three adjectives go together?".
The characters are well-drawn and there is some light humour and social satire.
Recommended and very readable.
The investigation is into the murder of the worthy Mrs Pink who is described as:-
"Not only exceptionally good, of course, but also more than ordinarily obstinate. And rather stupid as well. Isn't it lamentable, by the way, how often those three adjectives go together?".
The characters are well-drawn and there is some light humour and social satire.
Recommended and very readable.
July 4, 2023
What a disappointment after the last two in this series! I really missed having Pettigrew around as much, and though I liked MacWilliam, the other detective was really boring. He felt very sorry for himself and spent more time worring about his image than investigating. The mystery wasn't gripping, the suspects few, minor characters unlikable. Also, the dry humor from the earlier books, especially Bare Bodkin, was MIA. All in all this was a very dreary book that I had to force myself to finish.
June 6, 2022
Another interesting tale
I am quite glad to have encountered the works of this author, they are quite satisfying as a mix of classic detective fiction ideas on investigation entwined with the workings of the British legal system in the post war period. They start slow and build up with a number of interesting twists and logic puzzles that are not easy to spot the end result even if all the pieces are in front of you.
I am quite glad to have encountered the works of this author, they are quite satisfying as a mix of classic detective fiction ideas on investigation entwined with the workings of the British legal system in the post war period. They start slow and build up with a number of interesting twists and logic puzzles that are not easy to spot the end result even if all the pieces are in front of you.
February 24, 2020
I'm reading my way through the collected works of Cyril Hare, and this has been my least favourite so far. Not because of the story itself, which is, as always, well-written, peopled with believable characters and involving an obscure point of law. I just felt it got bogged down in the interminable "who could see whom walking up and down the hill" part.
January 8, 2022
This is a mystery in the classic English style which is just what I was looking for. It takes place in the early 1950's. I am old enough to have memories from that time so the differences between life in England and life in the midwestern USA jumped out at me. Meat was rationed and it appeared to be routine to offer sherry to teenagers.
June 24, 2019
Only an average mystery, but I loved the writing and the characterization employed. A bit of a twist on the procedural, with an emphasis on the legal aspects of the case. Gently humorous and an enjoyable read.
July 3, 2020
Francis Pettigrew is hauled out of retirement to deputise for a sick judge, and has to arbitrate a dispute between two residents of his local village. A few days later, one of them is dead, and Pettigrew is drawn into the investigation.
A golden age crime novel, first published in 1954.
A golden age crime novel, first published in 1954.
July 26, 2021
A delightful, but lightweight mystery set in the gorgeous English countryside. This is Miss Marple territory, but with more defined characters, and a mistrust of amateur detectives.
Really 3.5 stars.
Really 3.5 stars.
October 3, 2023
A good mystery and a good read with lots of humour. Readers have a fair shot at guessing the murderer and why they do kill; no legal rabbit is pulled out of the hat at the last minute like in some of Hare's other works.
June 16, 2019
Great golden age mystery
I loved this Cyril Hare mystery. It was set in a small English village, it had interesting characters, humor and a great ending.
I loved this Cyril Hare mystery. It was set in a small English village, it had interesting characters, humor and a great ending.
Want to read
December 16, 2019Synopsis: when the body of a penniless widow is found on Yew Hill, Pettigrew is drawn in. He tries to leave the inquiry to the police. Not possible.
April 27, 2020
Solid, straightforward classic mystery.
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