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Smallbone Deceased
''Smallbone Deceased'' is a 1950 mystery novel by the English author Michael Gilbert, published in the United Kingdom by Hodder and Stoughton and in the United States by Harper & Brothers. A practising lawyer himself, Gilbert made the setting of the novel a London solicitor's office. The book was Gilbert's fourth novel and, like his three earlier ones, features Chief Inspector Hazlerigg. The novel was well-received and has regularly appeared in "Top 100" crime lists. Some critics consider it to be Gilbert's best work. Plot Horniman, Birley and Craine are a respectable firm of solicitors, of Lincoln's Inn, London. After the firm’s senior partner Abel Horniman dies, a large deed box in his office is opened to reveal a corpse. The body is that of Marcus Smallbone, who had been a co-trustee with Mr Horniman of the valuable Ichabod Stokes Trust. Chief Inspector Hazlerigg investigates with the help of Henry Bohun, a newly-qualified solicitor and employee of the firm. Bohun ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Michael Gilbert
Michael Francis Gilbert (17 July 1912 – 8 February 2006) was an English solicitor and author of crime fiction. Early life and education Gilbert was born on 17 July 1912 in Billinghay, Lincolnshire, England, to Bernard Samuel Gilbert, a writer, and Berwyn Minna Cuthbert. From 1920 to 1926 he attended St Peter's School, Seaford, St. Peter's School in Seaford, East Sussex, and then , from 1926 to 1931, he attended Blundell's School in Tiverton, Devon. He began to study law at London University but was unable to finish due to financial concerns. After becoming a schoolmaster at Salisbury Cathedral School, Gilbert returned to studying law, receiving his degree in 1937 and graduating with honours. It was at this time that he began to work on his first mystery novel, ''Close Quarters (Gilbert), Close Quarters''. Military service During the World War II, Second World War, Gilbert served with the British Army in North African campaign, North Africa and Italian campaign (World War II) ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |