Green for Danger

Rating:
Summary: Alternative Christie
Review: A mystery who dunnit set in a World War II military hospital in England. Brand has a very similar style to Agatha Christie, she is a very accomplished writer in the genre in her own right and does not suffer in comparison with such elevated company. I am reluctant to spell out too much of the plot other than to say it revolves around the Doctors, Nurses and Patients. After all the point of mystery novel reading is trying to fathom out the real evidence from the red herrings yourself and I would hate to rob a potential reader of the fun of trying to solve the crime. I didn't figure it out myself until it was laid out before me by the detective at the end of the book. A worthwhile read from an excellent writer of murder mystery.

Rating:
Summary: Alternative Christie
Review: A mystery who dunnit set in a World War II military hospital in England. Brand has a very similar style to Agatha Christie, she is a very accomplished writer in the genre in her own right and does not suffer in comparison with such elevated company. I am reluctant to spell out too much of the plot other than to say it revolves around the Doctors, Nurses and Patients. After all the point of mystery novel reading is trying to fathom out the real evidence from the red herrings yourself and I would hate to rob a potential reader of the fun of trying to solve the crime. I didn't figure it out myself until it was laid out before me by the detective at the end of the book. A worthwhile read from an excellent writer of murder mystery.

Rating:
Summary: Classic murder mystery in a "closed" community
Review: Another book that can be read over and over, and one that the reader will enjoy even more after seeing the wonderful movie starring Alistair Sim as the detective. Set in a remote hospital in the English countryside during WWII, it's cleverly plotted and fun. A great way to be introduced to Ms. Brand's other entertaining reads.


Rating:
Summary: Classic murder mystery in a "closed" community
Review: Another book that can be read over and over, and one that the reader will enjoy even more after seeing the wonderful movie starring Alistair Sim as the detective. A great way to be introduced to Ms. Brand's other entertaining reads.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating mystery
Review: Christianna Brand is one of the lesser-known lights of Golden Age detective fiction, which is a shame, because she has enough talent to be far better-known. This mystery, set at a military hospital during World War II, is one of my favorites. Brand knew her stuff when it came to military hospitals, and the details really serve to ground the plot; she knows exactly how the wards would have been laid out, how much medicine the patients would have been given, who did what, who went where... and, of course, there were the usual vagaries of the war: bombing, cramped shelters, black-out. The mystery itself is interesting. I think the story wouldn't have been half so powerful if she had taken a more minimalist approach, which is yet another reason to love her-- every detail matters.

Rating:
Summary: One of the all-time greatest classic mystery novels.
Review: This is one of the undoubted masterpieces of classic mystery fiction. At least 3 mystery classic collections have chosen it as a top book; I know no other book so chosen. (These are: Bantam Classic Mysteries, from the 1960's, introduced by Anthony Boucher; The Mystery Library, from the 1970's UCSD, with introductions and other features, including one by the author; and the Bantam Mystery collectio, hardcovered from early 1980's by Bantam Books, also with an introduction). Brand writes a clasically constructed tale, with definite victims and murderer (and sleuth). It is full of atmosphere, suspense, and finely constructed fair play. MUST NOT be missed by classic mystery fans.