The Hog's Back Mystery - (British Library Crime Classics) by Freeman Wills Crofts (Paperback)

About the Book

Several local residents have disappeared in suspicious circumstances at the Hog's Back ridge in Surrey. When a doctor vanishes, followed by a nurse with whom he was acquainted, Inspector French deduces murder, but there are no bodies. Can he eventually prove his theory and show that murder has been committed?

Book Synopsis

Mystery crime fiction written in the Golden Age of Murder

'As pretty a piece of work as Inspector French has done... On the level of Mr Crofts' very best; which is saying something.' --Daily Telegraph

Dr James Earle and his wife live in comfortable seclusion near the Hog's Back, a ridge in the North Downs in the beautiful Surrey countryside. When Dr Earle disappears from his cottage, Inspector French is called in to investigate. At first he suspects a simple domestic intrigue--and begins to uncover a web of romantic entanglements beneath the couple's peaceful rural life.

The case soon takes a more complex turn. Other people vanish mysteriously, one of Dr Earle's house guests among them. What is the explanation for the disappearances? If the missing people have been murdered, what can be the motive? This fiendishly complicated puzzle is one that only Inspector French can solve.

Freeman Wills Crofts was a master of the intricately and ingeniously plotted detective novel, and The Hog's Back Mystery shows him at the height of his powers. This new edition of a classic mystery is introduced by the crime fiction expert Martin Edwards.

Review Quotes

A delightful British Crime Book. This is a strong police procedural with a dose of a cozy mystery. This is a good mystery with crusty characters of Britain and beautiful location. The plot is complex and intelligent. It is a fun read one that does lend itself toward escape for a afternoon of reading. Well Done.

-- "Netgalley"

This wasn't my first foray into the world of British mysteries; I have been a long time fan of the great Agatha Christie. This book had good points and bad points for me. It was told from the perspective of the Scotland Yard inspector working the case. There was very minimal action it was definitely written to be a brain buster to see if you could work out what had happened BEFORE the last two chapters of the book where they spell it all out for you. It was definitely a book to take you back to a much, much simpler time which I appreciated. I would have to say that the best aspect of this book was the complete lack of forensic options due to the time period, I loved the fact that it was all brain power on the part of the inspector.

-- "Netgalley"

About the Author

FREEMAN WILLS CROFTS (1879-1957) was one of the pre-eminent writers in the golden age of British crime fiction. He was the author of more than thirty detective novels, and was greatly acclaimed by peers such as Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler.