No Murder (1942)
In America as The Apprehensive Dog.
Blurb:
My review:
Very entertaining Bailey, marred only by an anti-climactic ending. Mr. Fortune shines as he investigates three deaths, and two attempted murders, in the village of Marstow. Although interest is kept up in the rather episodic murders, the surprise solution is a let-down, although an excellent clue of ballistics and moss, and the activities of Simon Ambury's dog Mat help Mr. Fortune in his detection. What is more important than the detection is the writing: lyrical descriptions of nature abound; Mr. Fortune is forced to eat "fussy, futile messes ... the husks which the highbrows do eat" at a local inn; and the dialogue is, as always, a pleasure.
Note similarities to The Great Game (1939), also set in a village in Mershire; importance of local customs (cuckoo & St. John’s Wort) among lovers, one of whom is a moody and intellectual youth in love with a decent girl—in No Murder, these lovers are forgotten by the end.