The first thing to say about this lively amateur detective
book is that it is three books, what used to be called an
omnibus edition: BERTIE AND THE TIN MAN; BERTIE AND THE
SEVEN BODIES; BERTIE AND THE CRIME OF PASSION. These were
all published in the late 1980s or early 1990s and have now
been reissued as one entertaining volume called BERTIE.
The Prince of Wales for a considerable period was Albert,
known as Bertie, who became King Edward VII. As the monarch
was the long-lived and respected Queen Victoria, Bertie
enjoyed considerable revelry without too many
responsibilities. British author Peter Lovesey proposes that
Bertie must have been aware of crimes, frauds and so on
among the elegant set who attended parties and races. With
time on his hands, he might have become an amateur crime
solver. Many writers will be saying, "why didn't I think of
that!" Too late, Peter Lovesey got there first.
Fred Archer, a popular top jockey who rode Bertie's horse
to victory, shoots himself while allegedly delirious with
typhoid. As Bertie had suffered typhoid fever previously, he
doubts anyone's capacity to do this deed. Hence he demands
an inquest, heads up to Newmarket and begins an
investigation. On his own birthday. While Bertie recalls a
race day to his mind, most of the adventure is spent in
various homes, punctuated by a sudden and unwelcome dip in
the Thames. A drowning, a ghostly rider, and a pet cockatoo
are just some of the elements in this entertaining intrigue,
BERTIE AND THE TIN MAN. Keep reading!
The second instalment, BERTIE AND THE SEVEN BODIES,
deals with a country house party which is graced by the
prince and his long-suffering wife, Alix. A lady called
Queenie Chimes is taken ill during dinner and can't be
saved. Was she poisoned? If so, nobody else was affected.
Bertie is there to walk out and shoot (hundreds of)
pheasants, so he's not easily deterred. During the day,
however, a man is found shot dead (with a pistol, not a
shotgun). Bertie immediately takes over supervising an
investigation. Well, nobody can refuse him.
In the third book, BERTIE AND THE CRIME OF PASSION,
our dashing prince visits Paris and meets French artist
Toulouse Lautrec, famous for painting dancing girls. And,
naturally, the prince meets some dancing girls. Enough said.
With the great, the good and the celebrated personalities of
the day making appearances, this omnibus BERTIE by Peter
Lovesey has a steamer trunk full of splendid characters. All
you need to do is try whether you can solve the murders
before the prince. Fans of historical mysteries will be
delighted.
Albert Edward, Prince of Wales—Bertie, as he's known—is
the eldest son of Queen Victoria and future King Edward
VII. Bertie is a pleasure-seeker, always searching out
the best meals, the most beautiful women, and the most
lavish parties. As Prince Regent, Bertie is expected to
behave like a proper royal and avoid scandal. Instead,
his thrill-seeking tendencies lead him to discover his
love for an unprincely hobby: sleuthing. Bertie is not
the best detective, but that does not stop him from
trying to solve every case that crosses his path,
including the feverish suicide of a charismatic
socialite, the mysterious death of a member of the royal
hunting party, and the murder of the son-in-law of an old
friend.
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