Bello is a division of Pan Macmillan and is a digital only imprint. It was established to revive classic and out of print books. Francis Durbridge was born in 1912 in Hull and died in 1998 aged 86. He was primarily well known for the Paul Temple character. Temple appeared in 14 novels mostly with his long suffering wife Louise known affectionately as Steve and a variety of radio, TV and film adaptations. He also wrote 28 other novels and this is one of them.

Detective Inspector Harry Dawson lives with his father Tom in an apartment above the sport shop in London that Tom established after a career in professional and amateur sporting activity. He played for his country at Rugby and Cricket and was a golfing amateur. Harry has taken his annual leave and arranges to meet up with his father at his golf club the following day. His father hints at a new woman in his life whom he would like Harry to meet. However the following day his father is tragically killed in a freak golfing accident. However Harry does not believe it is an accident and where is the woman who was going to be introduced to him?

The mystery involves the Dawson's housekeeper's missing dog and his collar, the golfer whose shot apparently killed Harry's father and his elusive girlfriend, one of the sport shop assistants, an odd couple who live in Hampstead and the housekeeper Mrs Rogers's nephew. The police don't want Harry involved in what they see as a straightforward case.

Written in the mid fifties, this is a straightforward mystery that portrays a vanished world of the middle classes. Recommended as a good easy read.

Geoff Jones, England
January 2013