Review: Death in Room Five

Death in Room Five by George Bellairs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chief Inspector Littlejohn is on vacation with his wife in Cannes. At the same time, a tourist group from the small town of Bolchester, are also vacationing nearby. When one of the group is attacked and dies as a result, the Inspector's vacation is severely interrupted in order to aid the French police.

This is Book 24 in the series, and I have to say I was afraid I would find the writing style too old fashioned, as the first book was published in 1941 and this one is from 1955. Big mistake. Great writing is never out of style!

This is your typical murder mystery, and it reminded me a bit of Agatha Christie: several people thrown together by diverse circumstances, in this case a bus holiday, a murder and a very smart policeman.

One of the best parts was the trouble Littlejohn has understanding his French colleagues method of work, and they of understanding his. But nothing that a few (or should I say many) glasses of Pernod won't help... and a couple of amazing French meals.


I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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