The Mystery of the Crooked Man
A witty detective story with unexpected twists
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Pushkin Press
Published:2nd May '24
Should be back in stock very soon
In The Mystery of the Crooked Man, Agatha Dorn's life spirals after a manuscript hoax leads to murder, forcing her to become an unlikely detective.
In The Mystery of the Crooked Man, readers are introduced to Agatha Dorn, a quirky archivist with a penchant for grammar and a love for gin. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she stumbles upon a long-lost manuscript by Gladden Green, a revered figure in Golden Age detective fiction. Suddenly thrust into the spotlight of literary fame, Agatha revels in the attention, but her joy is short-lived. The excitement quickly fades when the manuscript is revealed to be a clever hoax, leaving her reputation in tatters.
As if things couldn't get worse, Agatha finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation when her ex-lover is found dead, a piece of the fraudulent manuscript clutched in his hand. With her life spiraling out of control and the world turning against her, Agatha decides to take matters into her own hands. She embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the murder and the manuscript scandal, all while battling her own personal demons.
The Mystery of the Crooked Man masterfully blends humor and suspense, showcasing Agatha's transformation from a disgraced archivist to an unlikely detective. As she navigates the complexities of her new reality, readers are treated to a delightful mix of wit, charm, and a touch of darkness. Can Agatha solve the mystery before she becomes the next victim, or will her penchant for trouble lead her to a disastrous end?
'Cosy crime fiction does not come much cleverer or more angry than Tom Spencer's first novel...neatly plotted, funny, whacky and very sad indeed' * Literary Review *
'This quirky drama raises a gin to the golden age of classic mysteries. A cosy caper with a waspish sting' * Sun *
This fast-paced mystery is lightened by an irresistible dry humour * Daily Mail *
As fresh and pithy as a ripe tangerine - a hoot from start to finish. Tom Spencer has created a riotously funny crime caper that Agatha Christie would have loved -- M.H. Eccleston, author of 'The Trust'
A thoroughly enjoyable tribute to crime fiction's golden age * Mail on Sunday *
Not your usual cosy, and that's exactly what I loved! Spencer tip-toes on that line between traditional and modern with a delicate charm and deftness of touch to create a juicy whodunnit. Simply brilliant!
With a prickly protagonist and a plot that's twistier than a bag full of corkscrews, this one will keep you guessing until the end -- Fiona Leitch, author of 'The Cornish Wedding Murder'
An intriguing story and an engaging narrator whose sharp wit kept me turning the pages -- Frances Brody
A deliciously witty, wryly humorous whodunnit * The Lady *
This edgy mystery takes you down a dark path with unexpected turns, intriguing Golden Age breadcrumbs and a thorny denouement -- Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, author of A Murder of Crows
Oh how I enjoyed this thoroughly delightful and nasty mystery. It's hard to write a protagonist who is both completely unlikeable, yet desperately sympathetic and charismatic, but Tom Spencer has managed it at the same time as providing an intricately written and very funny crime story. You'd hate to work with Agatha Dorn, but you'd love to meet up once a month for a massive bitching session -- Alice Bell, author of 'Grave Expectations'
Christie fans'll love meeting Agatha Dorn, in a crime yarn as cool, crisp, and heady as the gin cantankerous library archivist Agatha loves * Peterborough Telegraph *
Witty and unique * Women's Own *
Written with charm and wit, not to mention a distinctly barbed turn of phrase, it is a delight from first page to last * Irish Daily Mail *
ISBN: 9781805335108
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
320 pages