Cole, GDH and M - Last Will and Testament (1936)

Review by Nick Fuller

3/5

Undoubtedly humdrum Cole. The plot involves the “riding accident” which claims the death of Augustus St. Blaizey, whose assistant, his daughter-in-law’s brother, is the accused murderer of Dr. Tancred Begins. The crime is fairly dull, and the detection by means of Ordnance Maps and routine alibi-checking is standard Croftsian boredom, though there are elements of Freeman in the forged will and the means of its detection. The characters range from well-depicted eccentrics (the religious maniac Sarah, Chief Inspector Falcon) to sticks (the latter predominates). There also exists a most exasperating tramp, who serves two purposes: firstly, to tell a true story, then to say that the truth was rubbish and spin a new yarn, and finally to reveal the truth again, thereby rendering life more difficult for the police; and secondly, to raise questions about the dole and unemployment. Where is the ingenuity of The Death of a Millionaire, The Man from the River or Dead Man's Watch?

Ferrars, Elizabeth X - Last Will and Testament (1936)

Elizabeth Ferrars also wrote a book with this title.