![]() ![]() ![]() There is an emphasis on the layout of rooms in both- office, library and adjoining room in RHM and adjoining bedrooms in TLC.ġ8. We have Inspector Birch in RHM and Inspector Murch in TLC (rhyming names !)ġ7. In RHM, the town of Middleston is nearby, while in TLC, thev town of Marlstone is nearby.ġ6. Water is an important motif-the sea in TLC and a pond in RHM.ġ5. In TLC, a bowling green is near the house.ġ4. Both stories are set in large houses in the English countryside.ġ3. Wrong conclusions are reached initially before the truth is revealed.ġ2. Both the amateur detectives are fallible. The secretary is the major suspect in both novels (according to the amateur detectives).ġ1. In both, there is a conflict between the victim and the secretary.ġ0. There is a love interest in both novels.ĩ. In both, the murder victim is a wholly unworthy person (though in RHM, this is known only later).Ĩ. In both, the victim is killed by pistol shots and there is presumed struggle over the gun.ħ. While Trent has artist’s eyes, Gillingham has photographic memory.Ħ. Both the amateur detectives Philip Trent and Antony Gillingham lead somewhat bohemian lives moving from one occupation to another. In both, minor characters are introduced in the first chapter.ĥ. Good wit and humour in both novels rests often on jokes and wordplay that include intertextual references.Ĥ. In both, there is lightheartedness, a sense of ease and playfulness (which Raymond Chandler detested).ģ. The similarities between The Red House Mystery and Trent’s Last Case are discussed in the book Jolly Good Detecting: Humor in English Crime Fiction of the Golden Age by Bruce Shaw.ġ. It almost makes up for the little golden head of Christopher Robin. Nobody really looks for realism in these books, do they? Fluently written, evenly paced and a joy to read. However, I would say it’s a 100% solid piece of work. The English police seem to endure him with their customary stoicism but I shudder to think of what the boys down at the Homicide Bureau in my city would do to him. He is not making any money on the assignment, but is always available when the local gendarmerie loses its notebook. The detective in the case is an insouciant gent named Antony Gillingham, a nice lad with a cheery eye, a cozy little flat in London, and that airy manner. Warning: he gives away all the plot, and also demolishes it. The Red House Mystery has had something of a bad press, having been singled out for a thorough-going kicking by Raymond Chandler in The Simple Art of Murder. ![]() Given the initial set-up and the inclusion of both a major and a glamorous young stage actress, it’s surprising that the circle of suspects is so small. The puzzle is one of those which could have been unmasked by a proper police investigation of Mark Ablett’s past and/or some thorough interrogations (and/or an early guess, in my case). We’ve got to make up our minds, haven’t we?” “I-I-well, of course, I-” began Bill, stammering, and then ended lamely, “Well, I don’t know.” “Are you going to arrest him, or help him to escape?” “What are you going to say to him?” he said at last. He looked at him gravely without speaking. The official police are a mere afterthought, barely on the scene at all, and kept in the dark by our heroes, who also think the law is a bit of a matter for personal choice.Īntony walked over to the fireplace, knocked out the ashes of his pipe, and turned back to Bill. Mark is nowhere to be seen and is suspected of fleeing the scene.Ī solid Golden Age set-up, completed in true Golden Age fashion by a talented amateur.Īntony Gillingham is properly quirky, a dilettante distinguished by his chequered career path and uniquely acute memory. He appoints a Watson, in the form of his young friend and admirer Bill Beverley. Robert joins Mark in the library, a shot is heard, and the body of Robert is discovered. However, the peace of the party is rudely shattered by the arrival of his ne’er-do-well brother Robert from the colonies, who arrives in ‘a red handkerchief around his neck and great big dusty boots’, much to the chagrin of the staff. In fact, Mark Ablett insists on things being peaceful (and to disturb the order of things means you may never be invited back). There was a lazy murmur of bees in the flower-borders, a gentle cooing of pigeons in the top of the elms… A select few guests are staying for a house party and all is peaceful. The scene is the Red House, the beautiful country estate belonging to wealthy patron of the arts Mr Mark Ablett. Milne’s only crime novel, The Red House Mystery can obliterate the memory of his poetry. I honestly don’t know what he can have been thinking. It would take some going to make up for that. Little Boy kneels at the foot of the bed.ĭroops on the little hands little gold head. ![]()
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