Jack-in-the-Box Paperback

Multiple murders, multiple suspects. This is an intricately plotted mystery. There are layers of motives as well as layers of complications.

On re-reading I think I appreciated the plot more than I did six years ago. However the racism and use of the "n" word in relation to the Liberian character, Ashmun, make it extremely difficult to read.I also notice that the surname of the author's wife is misprinted in the biography. She was a member of the prominent Baptist family, the Coats, and interestingly, the niece of Glasgow University's first Professor of Pathology.

There seems to be a craze for strange happenings and 'Squire' Wendover is dubious about someone he regards as a charlatan who likes to demonstrate his 'New Force'. Rabbits have been found dead with not a mark on them. Then a man is killed apparently in an air raid but he could have been murdered especially as some archaeological treasure has been stolen from him. Other deaths follow and Wendover and Sir Clinton Driffield are puzzled by the way people are dying with not a mark on them.This is a well written book which really conveys a very good impression of life during World War II for people in the country. Most attempt to carry on with their normal lives but others seem unduly affected by the constant danger. Then there are those who are quick to take advantage and feather their own nests.The end of this story is very tense and shows a sadist at work. I found it quite as disturbing as anything written in the twenty first century. It is an object lesson in how much terror a writer can convey without going into graphic details. This is an excellent book and the whole series is well worth reading if you enjoy classic crime.

Although some commentators say that this is a weaker novel --and in purely structural terms I would agree--there is so much fascinating Chemistry and other scientific data that ,for me, it is enough to put it from 4 to 5 stars .The ending is too melodramatic and yet the lead up to it is brilliantly done. The by play between Wendover and Driffield is of the highest standard . In addition, the glimpses of both the strain of air raids and how selfish some fairly unpleasant but wealthy people react to the War is clearly shown . There are a couple of pages which do contain racist remarks but Driffield rather cleverly distances himself from them and some of the expressions are certainly ones I have heard myself from people who lived through the War .If you are a Connington fan then this is essential reading --if you want to see how Science ,when written by a real authority , can add to Golden Age Fiction then this is a must read book .

Good mystery thriller, worth keeping in your library to read again.

This is an absorbing, plot heavy mystery in the classic mould and details a series of particularly cold bloodedand sadistic crimes. As ever with J J Connington the plot takes precedence but his characters are deftly enough portrayed. The racist language and attitudes within the book do grate on 21st century views but nonetheless were a feature of the period. As others have mentioned the climax is perhaps overly dramaticbut undoubtedly tense and vividly written. All in all it is an interesting read but perhaps not one of his best books.