Clifford Witting (1907-1968) was an English crime fiction writer. He worked as a clerk in Lloyds Bank from 1924 to 1942 and served in the Royal Artillery and the Ordinance Corps during World War II. His experiences then informed some of the 16 mysteries that he wrote between 1937 and 1964. His series characters were Sergeant (later Inspector) Peter Bradfield and Inspector Harry Charlton.
On the Golden Age of Detection Wiki Nick Fuller said, “ Why is Witting so obscure? His detection is genuinely engrossing, and his style is witty, if occasionally facetious. He could do setting very well—Army life in Subject: Murder. His books have the genuine whodunit pull. He can brilliantly misdirect the reader (Midsummer Murder) or invent a genuinely clever and simple murder method (Dead on Time). He experimented with form: the surprise victim (whowillbedunin?) of Measure for Murder, or, weak as it is otherwise is, the riff on the inverted detective story in The Case of the Michaelmas Goose. In short, he always has something to offer the reader, and found original ideas within the conventions of the formal detective story.”
Witting’s first book was Murder in Blue (Hodder & Stoughton, 1937; Galileo Publishers, 2021). It introduces Inspector Harry Charlton of the Downshire Police Force. Charlton takes a bit to come into the action, although the action itself starts immediately. The story initially belongs to John Rutherford of Paulsfield, who finds the body of a constable while out on his evening stroll. Rutherford owns a prosperous lending library and bookstore in the heart of Paulsfield and ends up serving as the inspector’s sounding board as the investigation unfolds.
It turns out the victim had a wandering eye and he upset a number of gentlemen in the district. But all the likely suspects were found to have alibis. There is a fair amount of calculating how quickly individuals could have gotten from where they were to the scene before the inspector was satisfied and that got a bit tedious. Bicycle tire tracks are examined as well; it is all quite scientific.
In addition to the detailed police procedure, Rutherford’s successful bookstore gets attention. His marketing strategy is entertaining, and his assistant George is a wonderful character with exotic taste in apparel. There are a number of references to the popularity of thrillers, which Rutherford takes care to stock. George adds to his value as an employee by reading them all and being prepared to discuss them with customers.
Witting’s writing is lively with gentle humor, even if he does take too long to tell a story. It’s a good story though, with the culprit well hidden almost to the end. I always like to see bookstores in mysteries. Fans of vintage mysteries should definitely add Witting to their reading lists.
Interesting to read another review about this book. I reviewed it last year I think. Think it might be my favourite Witting novel to date. He can overwrite a bit and with some of his other books, the initial premise is good, but the second half can degenerate it into a thriller – Midsummer Murder is one such example.
This is my only exposure to Witting. I love his characters and all the references to the books in the bookstores. The little asides to the reader were annoying but I also know it was the style of some writers then. Nick Fuller is a fan and I will try to find more of Witting’s books to see how well he wears.