This is a cracking Michael Innes novel, showcasing the novelist at his best. Both Appleby and his wife, Judith, are integral to the plot. That is, if they hadn’t been at a private view of pictures by a new, sadly recently murdered, artist, there would have been no story.

Innes skewers the pretentiousness of the artistic world by putting phrases like “A determined effort to disintegrate reality in the interest of the syncretic principle”. He is also very perceptive about how an ambition to be an artist is completely at odds with an ambition to be artistic. Very subtle and very very illuminating when you read his suggestions (as expounded by the characters in the novel, of course).

Oh, how I loved the scene where Appleby is taking on thugs in a junk shop! The villain biting Appleby in the leg; the exchange of missiles: a plaster fish, the stack of dinner plates; the “veritable jungle growth of mangles, whatnots, and jardinières.” And, of course, the marbles: “Not Gulliver in Brobdingnag was more cruelly assaulted. Old Moe – it would have been possible upon reflection to guess - had been planning a commercial operation of major importance: nothing less than that of securing a corner in children’s marbles. And now the entire stock was running down through space…” When you buy the book and reach this bit, slow down, take a breath and savour the description of the battle. Picture it with the middle-aged hero of your choice pitted against a gang: maybe Stratford Johns vs George Cole? David Niven vs the Marx Brothers? Choose your weapon? I choose dinner plates!

And then the more serious armed battle at the end of the book with Appleby inside a van parked over a fire… Yes, Judith ensures he gets free – what a woman!

If I could give this six stars, I would…

I wasn’t too sure of this book at the beginning but it developed into an engaging and entertaining read. Although the personal element threatened to dominate, Innes never loses the narrative imperative, the clues, the intellectual engagement and the chase. Judith develops from a seemingly focused arty socialite to an observant, determined minor participant.

I found her sleuthing annoying in places - visiting crime scenes in the dark on impulse, for example, taking risks that are likely to end up diverting police resources. On the other hand, this is no more than her trained and respected husband does, so why wouldn’t she?

Against this is the emergence of Cadover as a reliable, clear-thinking, thorough and intelligent operative, restoring some balance, analysis and process, that in the end ensures the information gained from risk can be put to use. This balancing of forms of intelligence, assessment of personality and nuanced psychology is a good part of the book.s strength and charm.

This series has matured and developed in the books I have read - another plus.

Michael Innes is one of my favorite authors! His writing is both erudite and accessible, and always a joy to read. This novel is especially fun if you've read others in the Inspector Appleby series, as it includes a window into Appleby's private life and we get to know more about his wife. The mystery takes place in the London art world of the 1950s and is a fascinating glimpse into a way of life very different from what most people experience in 2018.

A very clever written book, and not only is the puzzle intriguing but we et to see more of the family life of Sir John Appleby, a bit older but the same cleverness.
Michael Innes generally always pleases, written in the style of the golden age, this book really appeals to fans of classic mystery fiction. I really enjoy the book, had a lot of trouble putting it down, and when I finished it, I was very satisfied.

This is my first Inspector Appleby novel which are being re-issued and I'll be buying the others in the series.

Inspector Appleby is taken to an exhibition for a young artist who was recently found murdered. During the exhibition a painting is stolen and Appleby becomes embroiled in the art smuggling world. Theres a sense of fun to the book and a cast of weird and wonderful characters with bizarre situations.

I found this a slow burner but it drew you in and I enjoyed the story as it went along. I wanted to know how it would finish which kept me perserveing.

Another bizarre and fantastic case for Appleby, this time involving art fraud. Innes has much satirical fun at the expense of modern art and artists, and his scathing wit is in clear evidence throughout. This probably isn't the best in terms of pure detection but the weird universe of Innes' crime novels is just so much fun! Wonderful that these books are being reissued on Kindle.