This tale was a bit slow moving, in my opinion. The narrative was awkward and strained. I didn’t hate the book, the subject matter being interesting, so will try this author again.
Thanks for the ARC opportunity.

3 out of 5 stars

I was able to read an electronic ARC of this book, via Netgalley, as I am auto-approved by Endeavour Press. So I can honestly say this review is all my own and obligation free as I chose the book, and choose to leave any reviews.

Okay, this is one of those I read months ago and never got to leave a review at the time. I have to say it is one of my favourite types of 20th century crime fiction – a story written at the time it was set. And that time was 1939 so within that magical “Golden Age of Crime” era. There is just something about the writing style of crime fiction written in the first half of the 1900’s that I adore and so was not disappointed with ‘Death at the Dog’.

The basic summary I can give without spoilers is it’s your typical English country village, the death occurs at the pub – The Dog – and a rather clever detective who has a slightly “against the grain” type personality is called in to investigate. He moves from witness to witness over and over again until the crime is slowly unravelled for the reader and then the whodunit is revealed nicely at the end. There is just that right amount of red herrings and side drama to keep the reader interested and the characters are well described and very engaging.

So, yes, a perfect little period piece written in the time that it was set - so containing all the nuances, quirks, social beliefs, and mannerisms truly of that era – and not tainted by modern life’s opinions cloaked in artistic license. ;-)

There are only two issues I have with ‘Death at the Dog’ and they are very minor… Well, one is minor, the other should hopefully have been fixed before the final proof was published.

The minor issue is this appears to be a part of a series, as the detective brought in was known to have dealt with crimes in that area before. ‘Death at the Dog’ was still easy to read as a stand-alone book, but I am a bit funny with series and like to know all the ins and outs and not come in mid-way through. But I really want to emphasise this is not a BIG issue… more a wrinkle your mind can smooth over to allow you to read on and enjoy the story.

The bigger issue is there were obvious formatting issues when ‘Death at the Dog’ was transcribed/ formatted into an eBook. As there are constant run on words, new paragraphs mid-sentence and other obvious signs of the formatting not being correctly done for at least the kindle version I was reading. BUT! I was reading an ARC, and I always like to give the benefit of the doubt and assume this issue was corrected before the final proof was published. I just get pernickety over poorly formatted eBooks. Yes I am used to it happening back at the dawn of eBooks when older classics were transferred from paper media to electronic… but that was a LONG TIME ago now and I know for a fact the formatting of eBooks is a lot easier these days and so should not be an issue. Sorry, bit of a Diva moment… but the poor formatting really did bring down my enjoyment level when reading to the point I gave ‘Death at the Dog’ a lower rating that I would have… if the formatting was correct.

Would I recommend this book to others?

Despite the formatting and it not being a true stand-alone book, yes I would. It was enjoyable for being what it was – a period piece written in the time is was set… plus it was written in that Golden Age of crime fiction. Think Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, and G.K. Chesterton. If you enjoy any of their work, then I think you should give ‘Death at the Dog’ a go too.

Would I buy this book for myself?

I might… but, if I am honest, if I was going to I would look for the paper version in a second-hand book shop. So, technically I wouldn’t be buying THIS book… but an older version of it. But, saying that, I would be just as happy with an electronic version, if the formatting was indeed fixed. Hi, my name is Janis and I am a formatting Diva known to throw stones while living in a glass house. ;-)

In summary: If you are a lover of the Golden Age of Crime Fiction, this is indeed a book you will enjoy.

Got it for nostalgia, sorry almost at once. Too many characters, too much going on. And while I generally don't care for mysteries, for some unknown reason, thought this one might be the one I'd enjoy. Nope. Not even old mysteries work for me. The setting just wasn't enough to entice me to finish the book. Sorry. But I am sure mystery lovers will love it.

Originally written in 1940, this book presents an intriguing mystery. The squire in an English village is found dead one evening in his seat in the lounge of the local pub. Being a very unpleasant man, no one seems too upset, even his sons. But an alert doctor discovers that the man was murdered.

Where murder occurs, the murderer must be found and Guy Northeast of Scotland Yard is called in to handle it.

Much of the fun of this novel comes from watching Northeast follow the clues and interview the suspects until, at last, he gets the break he needs to allow him, and us, to solve the case.

A thoroughly enjoyable classic British mystery.

Death at the Dog is the second British Library Classic I've read in the last few weeks, and a classic mystery, a man killed in a room full of people and no one witnessed the murder. This was one of those plots where you know how it's done, even before the detective realizes it, but you're completely in the dark about whodunit and why and the surprise ending was very entertaining.

I enjoyed the portrayal of life in wartime Britain as it happened; not just the war effort and its toll on the citizens but also the mundanity of life in wartime, from blackout shutters to petrol shortages to the village's upheaval from refugees fleeing the London bombings. It's an authentic snapshot of life in rural war-torn England. The colorful cast of characters really helped bring the story to life.

Death at the Dog is a superb vintage mystery from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. Fans of Agatha Christie or Josephine Tey will appreciate and enjoy this well written mystery, and I recommend it for anyone who enjoys a well crafted mystery.

Death at the Dog is a charming cozy originally published in 1940.  When old Mathew Scaife is poisoned, suspects abound.  Thoroughly disagreeable and with a penchant for causing trouble, Mathew is hated, particularly by the tenants he sought to evict in order to rent to affluent evacuees from the city.  Inspector Guy Northeast is tasked with finding who killed Mathew Scaife and why.  The chief suspect is Crescy Hardwick, a charismatic and outspoken writer who would have lost her home had Mathew not died.  It doesn’t help that earlier that evening she had threatened to murder the old reprobate.  Despite loads of circumstantial evidence, Inspector Northeast doesn’t believe he capable of murder.  

Death at the Dog is as enjoyable today as when it was first published.  The method of murder is ingenious and the culprit comes as a definite surprise.  It is a novel that mystery lovers of all ages can enjoy - light and with little to no violence.

4/5

I received a copy of Death at the Dog from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

—Crittermom

A fun setting that is perfect for a thrilling mystery that will keep the reader guessing. It has a good plot and interesting characters.

A good old fashioned British cozy mystery> The book was originally published in 1941.

Squire Scaife is in his normal place in the local pub, The Dog. At the end of the evening, when his son Edward goes to wake him to walk him home, it is found that he is dead.

The room was busy with members of the local gentry. No one saw a thing. It is determined he must have had a heart attack. He was an unhealthy and very disliked man. So there was not a great deal of sorrow at his death.

But, it was not his heart, it was murder and nearly everyone in the room when he died would not regret the fact that he was dead.

The plot is an interesting one. World War II is going on, there are blackouts, rationing and a sense that the war is interfering in life.

All the clues are there to point the way to the murderer. There are also paths which lead to the wrong person, but that is to be expected.

Ms Cannan is an author who is new to me. I enjoyed her character driven story.

She has created characters who are well drawn. As the story progresses, the reader gets to know everyone quite well. The person we know the best is Inspector Guy Northeast, the Scotland Yard man sent down to solve the crime. He is methodical and smart. The locals all think he is incompetent and not too bright. The locals are quite wrong.

I enjoyed this book. The style is not modern, but it is entertaining and it held my interest.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are my own.

In blackout England, at the beginning of the war, the village Squire - Scaife - is killed in a crowded pub. It is up to Inspector Guy Northeast to find the murderer.
Unfortunately my main suspect was proved to be the guilty one - very disappointing.

I don't like reading PDF versions o stead of ePub. The margins make it tough to read. With the multiple characters, and the horrible print copy, it was hard to really enjoy.