Fool Errant

The Benbow Smith Mysteries, Book 1

By: Patricia Wentworth

Narrated by: Anne Hancock

Hugo Ross is perfect for the job as irascible inventor Ambrose Minstrel’s new secretary: young, completely inexperienced, and with an occasional stutter that makes him seem somewhat dim—a mug, in fact.

But from his first day, odd things begin to happen. A stranger offers him an absurd amount for an ordinary pair of field glasses; soon, the written offer is stolen from his room. A lovely girl he runs into in the dark one night outside his new employer’s house warns him not to take the job. But when she plans to meet him, and another girl arrives pretending to be her, he wonders what has become of her.

Hugo suspects something sinister and seeks out eccentric Benbow Smith, his sister’s in-law, who seems to have some relationship with the Foreign Office. Smith confirms Hugo’s suspicion that a plot to swindle the government is afoot. Turns out Hugo is not the mug the plotters think he is … which is his greatest asset.

But before he can help unravel the plan, he must first find the girl!

©1929 Patricia Wentworth (P)2025 Anne Hancock

Charming

Sweet love story and quaint spying, beautifully read. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

Fun, clever, and a little old-fashioned

As usual, Patricia Wentworth wrote a fun and inventive story that I enjoyed a lot. As it was written over 95 years ago, some people might find it a little old-fashioned, but I liked it. There are a few minor mysteries, but this is more of an adventure tale. Anne Hancock did her usual great job reading this story.
More Patricia Wentworth, please!!!