Classic British Detective Fiction from the Golden Age of Mystery
Part of the acclaimed British Library Crime Classics series, The Body in the Dumb River brings a long-buried treasure of detective fiction back into print. Written during the golden age of mystery novels, this Yorkshire-set thriller showcases George Bellairs' masterful storytelling and intricate plotting that made him a beloved author for nearly forty years.
A Murder Mystery Set in Yorkshire
Jim Teasdale was a decent, hardworking man with no apparent enemies. Yet his body has been discovered stabbed in the back near Ely, miles from his Yorkshire home. The usually silent river—known locally as the 'dumb' river—has revealed its grim secret prematurely when a torrential flood disturbs the killer's carefully laid plans.
Scotland Yard's Superintendent Littlejohn is summoned from his comfortable bed to investigate. With crucial evidence swept away by surging floodwaters, the veteran detective must board a train heading north to uncover the truth about Jim Teasdale's past and trace the mystery back to its source in a tight-knit Yorkshire community.
Small Town Secrets and Complex Characters
George Bellairs excels at exploring the intricate inner-workings of insulated country communities. The Body in the Dumb River delves deep into the long-buried secrets of a small town, revealing how past transgressions can resurface with disastrous consequences. The novel combines the wit and suspense characteristic of classic British mysteries with authentic portrayals of rural English life.
About George Bellairs and the British Library Crime Classics
George Bellairs was the pseudonym of Harold Blundell (1902-1985), a Manchester banker and philanthropist who created the popular Superintendent Thomas Littlejohn series. His detective stories were published for nearly forty years, earning him a devoted readership.
The British Library Crime Classics series rescues enduring detective fiction from the archives, making largely inaccessible works available to modern readers. These carefully curated titles represent the finest examples of mystery writing from the golden age.
Also available in the British Library Crime Classics series: Smallbone Deceased, Continental Crimes, Blood on the Tracks, Surfeit of Suspects, Death Has Deep Roots, and Checkmate to Murder.
