If you love witty British crime fiction, sink your teeth
into this Valentine gem
Life in a dismal bureaucratic cul-de-sac is not what the
irreverent, high-flying Robert Amiss expects when the
British civil service lends him for a year to the British
Conservation Corporation. In theory, he is to gain
invaluable experience of thrusting capitalism: in practice,
he is condemned to a non-job in a backwater managing
disgruntled and demoralized time-servers who deeply resent
this interloper. Morale in this all-male environment is not
improved by the arrival of Melissa, a radical feminist
lesbian separatist. It is only Amissβs sense of humour and
the joys of visiting Rachel, his new love, in Paris, that
keep him sane.
The malice, envy and anger that burgeons among the filing
cabinets is first expressed in pettiness and then in
unpleasant practical jokes. These begin to escalate
worryingly and finally culminate in callous murder by means
of boxes of poisoned chocolates sent to the bureaucratsβ
wives. Did they come from Henry Crump, the dirty old man? Or
Tony Farson, the miser? Or Graham Illingworth, the
depressed home improver? Or one of the other sad,
disappointed men? Or even from Melissa?
With the help of Ellis Pooley, the young detective obsessed
with fictional sleuths who makes his debut here, Amiss and
his friend Superintendent Milton try to assess motives in an
office where marital discord and broken dreams might drive
anyone to murder.
Start Reading THE SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY MURDERS Now
 Robert Amiss CORRIDORS OF DEATH
#1.0
β’ May 2007
 THE SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY MURDERS
#2.0
β’ October 2007
 THE ENGLISH SCHOOL OF MURDER
#3.0
β’ September 2001
 CLUBBED TO DEATH
#4.0
β’ May 2008
 MATRICIDE AT ST. MARTHA'S
#5.0
β’ May 2002
 TEN LORDS A-LEAPING
#6.0
β’ August 2008
 MURDER IN A CATHEDRAL
#7.0
β’ November 2004
 PUBLISH AND BE MURDERED
#8.0
β’ January 1999
 THE ANGLO-IRISH MURDERS
#9.0
β’ September 2008
 CARNAGE ON THE COMMITTEE
#10.0
β’ November 2004
 MURDERING AMERICANS
#11.0
β’ December 2007
Our Past Week of Fresh Picks
|
© 2003-2026