Innes, Michael - What Happened at Hazelwood (1946) aka What Happened at Hazlewood 

5/5

A thoroughly enjoyable read, with much subdued humour, and with a typically improbable or bizarre plot. Neither of these possibly negative qualities detracts from the story; instead, they considerably strengthen it. However, had the book been less substantial (for it is as substantial as the classic examples of the country-house genre it so successfully spoofs), those elements would have over-balanced the book — the weight of the evidence, perhaps? Characterisation is strong. Through the technical achievement of multiple voices (and multiple views of characters), Innes gleefully depicts a ghastly family it would be a pleasure to see all murdered. The solution is surprising — thoroughly bizarre, but, on the story’s own logic, quite convincing.

Nick Fuller.

This is a classic country-house murder in structure, even down to the final confrontation in the study/library where the detective explains everybody's guilty secrets. One difference is the nastiness of the extensive Simney family (mostly) -- not a nice bunch although eccentric enough. Who the murderer is turns out to be a nice variation of least-likely-person. The detective is Inspector Cadover, a parody of the omniscient sleuth, and there are passing references to Appleby. Story is told by two first-person narrators, adding some interesting perspectives on the same situation. One of Innes's best novels (but one misses Appleby). Note the 'naked deception', reminiscent of the one in Hamlet, Revenge, but even better.

Wyatt James

Hazelwood is an English manor-house in the possession of the appalling Simney family; in residence when the story begins are Sir George Simney and his wife Nicolette, his brother Bevis and his son Mervyn, and his apparently childless sister Grace. They have a one-eyed butler, Owdon, who has a son, Timmy. As the book opens they are joined by some Australian cousins; Hippias Simney, his son Gerald, and Gerald's wife Joyleen. Nicolette narrates in a voice very like Michael Innes. There are quarrels, secret discussions, and some rather feeble jokes about Australia. Then there is a violent death.

The narration passes to a detective constable, who soon settles down into a voice very like Michael Innes. Inspector Cadover asks questions, drops hints and plays gramophone records. What happened at Hazelwood appears to be something like a locked-room murder. The solution -- well, the solution passes well beyond the boundary of possibility, and appears to be based nothing more than a wilful ignorance of optics. Did Innes really believe this would work, or was he simply expressing his contempt for his readers? Any village optician could have set him straight. Either way, the impossible solution ruins a book which was pedestrian and overblown to begin with.

Jon.