Inspector French’s Greatest Case

By: Freeman Wills Crofts

Narrated by: Phil Fox

From the Collins Crime Club archive, the first Inspector French novel by Freeman Wills Crofts, once dubbed ‘The King of Detective Story Writers’.

THE FIRST INSPECTOR FRENCH MYSTERY

At the offices of the Hatton Garden diamond merchant Duke and Peabody, the body of old Mr Gething is discovered beside a now-empty safe. With multiple suspects, the robbery and murder is clearly the work of a master criminal, and requires a master detective to solve it. Meticulous as ever, Inspector Joseph French of Scotland Yard embarks on an investigation that takes him from the streets of London to Holland, France and Spain, and finally to a ship bound for South America . . .

Critic reviews

‘Because he is so austerely realistic, Freeman Wills Croft is deservedly a first favourite with all who want a real puzzle.’ TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT

“If there is a better writer of detective stories alive, I would like to know his name.”
GLASGOW CITIZEN

Surprise ending, but not for thrill seekers

This is not a thrilling series, for which I am grateful! I am burned out on gore and suspense. This is the first book in a series of essentially detailed police procedurals (Scotland Yard), featuring Inspector French from the “Golden Age” of fiction. As a main character Inspector French is unassuming and likable. The ending felt a little rushed given the long and somewhat tedious journey to find out who killed poor Mr. Gething, but that’s ok! I love reading mysteries written in the 1920s and 30s and I found this one to be enjoyable. I hope all of the books in the series are eventually published!

Well plotted and well written

Enjoyable story with intriguing twists as French pursues a complex mystery from London to France. Nothing but fast and interesting plotting. Recommended

I really tried to like it but....

I love cosy mysteries. I enjoy observant detail in stories. I am not a person who only enjoys fast-paced novels. But there comes a point when drilling down to the minutiae of an investigation is just plain boring. Imagine, if you will, the author describing every. single. step. taken by the detective, every lead, whether productive or not, every conversation, every thought the detective has as they try to figure it all out. It slowly suffocated every bit of interest I had in following the story.

The bones are good but there is far, far too much flesh on this story. The author needed a brisk and efficient editor to go wild here.