The Mysterious Mr. Badman: A Yorkshire Bibliomystery

by W. F. Harvey

Paperback, 2022

Publication

British Library Publishing (2022), 256 p.

Original publication date

1934

Description

"First published in a limited run in 1934, this exceedingly rare bibliomystery will delight fans of bookish mysteries as well as devotees of the classic crime genre. While on holiday visiting his nephew, Athelstan Digby agrees to look after the old bookshop in town so that his hosts can attend their cousin's funeral. On the first day of his tenure, three suspicious characters enquire after a copy of The Life and Times of Mr Badman by John Bunyan. When a copy mysteriously arrives in a bundle of books brought in by a young scamp, and is stolen that same night, Digby moves to investigate the significance of the book with his nephew. The two are soon embroiled in a case in which the stakes have risen from antiquarian book-pinching to ruthless murder"--… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member blbooks
First sentence: When at two o'clock on a sultry July afternoon Athelstan Digby undertook to keep an eye on the contents of the old bookshop in Keldstone High Street, he deliberately forgot to mind his own business.

Premise/plot: This one is a vintage mystery from the 1930s. Athelstan Digby, one of
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our protagonists, is on holiday. He's temporarily minding a bookshop--while the owners are away for a day (possibly one day and one night). He has THREE people come in and all ask for the same book--The Life and Death of Mr. Badman by John Bunyan. He finds this strange, strange, super-strange. Events in the small village soon reflect this, Athelstan and his nephew, Jim, soon find themselves amateur detectives trying to solve multiple crimes--including murder.

My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. It reminded me of all the reasons I love vintage mysteries, particularly British mysteries. I enjoyed getting to know the characters. I loved the bookish plot. I loved finding a new-to-me author. Definitely recommended.
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Language

Original language

English

ISBN

9780712354370

Physical description

256 p.; 7.48 x 5.16 inches

Pages

256

Rating

½ (13 ratings; 3.7)
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