3 Review(s)

When a fire consumes Starvel Hollow and a body is found in the rubble, what appears to be a tragic accident soon unravels into a carefully orchestrated murder. Inspector French returns in one of Freeman Wills Crofts' most ingenious cases, bringing his characteristic attention to forensic detail, timetables, and motive. As French begins to investigate, he encounters a complex web of inheritance disputes, false identities, and long-buried secrets. Each twist adds new layers of tension to this intricately plotted mystery that forces readers to question every assumption. Crofts is celebrated for transforming the detective genre into an exercise in logic, and The Starvel Hollow Tragedy is a masterclass in precisely that. With atmospheric settings, authentic police methods, and a tight structure that keeps the reader guessing until the final chapter, this is a must-read for anyone who appreciates an intelligent, old-fashioned crime story. Ideal for readers who love Sherlock Holmes but crave realism and procedural depth.