I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley. I found this to be a very charming and delightful read, two words I don't really use very often. I'm usually a reader of more "hard boiled" crime stories, but this was a very pleasant breath of fresh air. The plot is light, but complicated enough that it held my attention, the writing is quite witty and the cast of characters have a lot of potential. I will pick up more in the series and recommend this book. If you watch British crime shows on PBS, then think of the Fr. Brown mysteries. Different series of course, but same tone and feeling.

Good old fashion British murder mystery. Enjoyed the intrigue and multiple characters.

When I saw this title I knew I had to look at the synopsis of the book, and I like this type of mystery so I was definitely up for giving it a go! This book was originally published in the 1950s, but for some reason seems to have been overlooked all this time. You can definitely feel the time period whilst reading, and personally, I found that added a nice touch to the experience and the plotline as it is 100% a product of its time in the best way.

Colin Watson wrote a fun, cute mystery book in an Agatha Christie-esque style which will keep anyone who is a fan of the genre interested and entertained throughout. There are some very interesting characters throughout and the story develops in an odd and interesting way, leaving me confused but pleased as I read. Watching the characters interact, and learning more about them as they reveal traits and implicate themselves in the crimes, was very fun for me, as well as discovering an interesting and well-developed plot.

This book is the first in the Flaxborough Chronicles, and I am definitely looking into carrying on the series. It’s a pity that these books weren’t more well known in their time and I am really grateful to Netgalley for providing an eCopy in return for an unbiased review, as although this was not one of my favourite books so far this year it is definitely a book I am glad to have read.

A “police procedural “ type mystery that in many ways is also a “cozy” mystery. Interesting characters, and a non-obvious plot.

I enjoy "discovering'' mystery authors that I somehow missed over the years. Colin Watson wrote a series of mystery novels, The Flaxborough Chronicles, in the 1950s. Set in a small English town, the stories follow the investigations of DI Walter Purbright. There are 12 novels in the series.

I am delighted that I found this book available for review or I might never have found this series! Reminiscent of Agatha Christie, the story is a semi-cozy mystery (no spurting blood, over-the-top cussing, or gory details, etc) and rather light, but still a police procedural. There are a few adult moments, but nothing too bad. PG-13 sort of stuff. With plenty of dry wit and humor, the mystery moves along with insights into small town life, gossip and quirky residents. I'm definitely going to read the rest of this series!

The Basics: Six months previous, a well-known resident of Flaxborough died. There really wasn't anything strange about the death, other than the smallness of his funeral (insert small town gossip here). But now, one of his neighbors has also popped off this mortal coil....and this time there is something very strange indeed. At first it appears to be a suicide, but closer inspection shows it may have been staged to hide a murder. What's going on in the seemingly sleepy hamlet of Flaxborough? DI Purbright is on the case!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It is a bit dated....but I love classic whodunits and this book reminded me so much of the wit and fun of Agatha Christie novels. Purbright is a delightful main character....a bit bumbling,but dedicated to his job and doing things right. He is also not swayed by social position, power or money. He wants to know the truth....no matter what that truth is. To me, Purbright is like an English version of Columbo. He might seem a bit lacking occasionally to those on the outside, but he's actually quite astute and watching/observing everything.

Great book! I will definitely be reading this entire 12-book series! The humor and mystery combine into a wonderful story! Classic mystery lovers will enjoy this series!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Farrago via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Thanks to netgalley, for providing this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a fun read. It's certainly dated (first published in 1958), but if you don't insist on up to the minute details, it's quite enjoyable. The characters are interesting - I imagine that we'll get more character development of the policemen as the series goes along - but even in this first book, they're likable and interesting.

What jumps out the most is the humor - not slapstick, broad humor, but a funny way of putting things, almost sardonic, in a way that made me chuckle. The plot twists about, so that even though you have a pretty good idea of who the bad guys are, there are a few unexpected twist and turns.

It was fun to read. It appears that this is a re-issue of the series, and the 2nd and 3d books are out, so I will definitely look for them.

one death, another death, suddenly two murders, the inspector leads us step by step to the conclusion

Received in exchange for a honest review.

this is a quaint, fun and quirky English mystery.

Inspector Purbright comes off as this quirky man who goes after things like a dog with a bone and just bumbling along when really he is crafty and smart. He is on the seen with the death of Mr. Gwill which just didn’t sit right with him. As he looks there, more things unfold and a past death becomes more and more at the forefront as more bodies turn up and a association is exposed.

Purbright is the right character to be the main one in this series. He’s quirky, congenial and disarming. He also sees what others do not and allow the evidence to unfold in front of him as it comes along. He has the inquisitiveness to ask the right questions but also have those question not seem to be important to those asking so they don’t get defensive.

The story was entertaining, full of twists and turns and the reveal of the culprit or culprits and why is not one that you would think of. so many plots and subplots that come together to give the big picture of what is going on that it keeps you entwined in the story and at the edge of your seat will just enjoying this English mystery and working with Purbright to figure out who killed who and why.

A fun, humorous murder mystery. My favorite kind! A solid plot and fun characters. What more could you ask for?

I enjoyed the the camaraderie between Purbright and Sgt. Love. Several mysteries going at once, some type of shady business going between a group of upright citizens and throw in two murders to boot. One by electrocution and one by poison. It ticks all the boxes!

Low key, quirky British mystery. Police procedural in sleepy little seaside town. Detective protagonist clearly over his head yet innately up to the task. Some decent plot twists and characters. Enjoyable.

Didn't like the writing style and never finished it.

Coffin Slightly Used is an enjoyable British police procedural, light on tension but pleasantly paced and delightfully witty.  There is a great deal of humor but it is subtle rather than laugh out loud.  It is a great mystery to enjoy while drinking a pot of tea on a lazy afternoon.

Harold Carobleat, respected councilor and do-gooder is dead.  Little is thought of this until his neighbor dies in what appears to be a bizarre accident.  Detective Inspector Purbright doesn’t get many murders, but he’s fairly certain Marcus Gwill would not have committed suicide by  electrocution.  Both men had the same associates and regularly socialized with each other.  Detective Inspector Purbright is certain he is being lied to, but isn’t sure why.  As determined as he is affable,  Purbright doesn’t give up, unraveling the complex mystery strand by strand.  

Coffin Slightly Used is a classic style mystery.  It isn’t graphic or violent. It is light, humorous, and quite satisfying.  It is a nice alternative that will appeal to readers who enjoy cozy mysteries.

4 /  5

I received a copy of Coffin Slightly Used from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

— Crittermom

I have been enjoying classic-style detective stories set in British villages and country house parties, lately. Yes, its a bit of a niche thing. I’ve nearly run through my library’s offerings of authors/series I recognize so obviously it was time to explore new to me authors/series. I caught a glimpse of this title and, what do you know, I’d inadvertently discovered one I was unaware of that’s been around for a donkey’s age.

The Flaxborough Chronicles series has been around a while. It’s getting a fresh coat of paint with this re-release. It’s also been the basis for the British TV adaption of the series called Murder Most English.

Coffin, Scarcely Used is the opening story in a series featuring Inspector Furbright, his sergeant, Sid Love, and a whole quirky seaside community of folks. I’m not sure what time frame these are, but its definitely not recent modern though, it does fall into modern age.

So, there is a death to start things off, but not a murder. No suspicions until the next door neighbor bites it, by electrical shock, no less. Furbright doesn’t buy the whole accidental electrocution or suicide theories or, the crazed housekeepers rantings about a restless spirit on the loose. With humor and wit and cleverness he teases through fact from lie with each encounter with the dead man’s friends and family. Gwill was not well liked and he had been up to something secretive before his death.

I enjoyed having the large pool of suspicious characters and the fun twists to the puzzle. I saw through most of the lies and the misdirections, but one final twist was a lulu. I liked the detective and laughed several times at the wry humor and the play between detective and sergeant and even between detective and his boss, the chief constable.

It’s definitely a chance to step back into simpler times for just a good mystery. I was glad to note that there are several in this series and I will happily keep picking them up. If British old-style detective murder mysteries are your thing, this one is a good bet.

I rec’d this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book in a substantial series written by Colin Watson in the 1950's and now being reissued. If you are a fan of British mysteries set over half a century ago, you will probably enjoy this book; I did. The action takes place in a small town, Flaxborough, and is investigated by the town's Detective Inspector Purbright and his team. One death in the town is attributed to natural causes. When a neighbor dies, 6 months later, under odd circumstances, Purbright begins to wonder what is at the root of this death and launches an investigation, which takes many twists and turns, leading to a surprise ending. I look forward to reading another book in the series and hope I warm up more to the Inspector, who seems rather colorless in this first book.

A British whodunit from the 1950's with wonderful British Humor but not much of a storyline. Recommended for the dry British wit rather than for any particular sense of mystery.

Prepare to be delighted! Inspector Purbright is on the job in Flaxborough, so murderers beware. A local businessman dies and 6 months later his next-door neighbor is also dead. When Purbright discovers that the two men were friends and involved in a not-so-legal business with other local businessmen, he suspects the deaths are more than coincidence. And where does the not-so-unhappy widow fit in? There are many questions, but Purbright is on the job, and he and his men will find the answers.

The Flaxborough Mysteries were published in the 1950’s and are being re-released. This is the first in the series and should not be missed. While the story is more along the lines of a cozy mystery than a thriller, I found to be a joy to read. The author writes with imagination and wit and creates a story that is both full of mystery and fun at the same time. Inspector Purbright is very intelligent and clever, knowing exactly how to get the information he needs from his suspects. This is classic British crime and I highly recommend it.

A good classic old-fashioned mystery. I admit the British terms and the way things were worded had me a little confused at times and I’m sure I didn’t pick up on all the humour. Overall, I enjoyed this book and had fun trying to solve they mystery along with Purbright and Love. I enjoyed the banter between the two of them. I look forward to reading more books from this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Farrago for an ARC copy of the book.

I really enjoyed this English mystery. The dialogue and descriptions are witty and sometimes wickedly funny. One man is described as having “distrustful eyes and a wide slit of a mouth, designed, one would have thought, for the duel purpose of loud talk and voracious feeding.” However, he made “miserly use of his most extravagant feature, for he ate little and spoke only one-sidedly, as though half his lips had been sewn up to prevent waste of words and body heat.” (location 79).
There is a lot of great personification…i.e., .skeletal trees with tapering, motionless fingers. The language is so vivid. It’s a delight. There are a lot of big, uncommon words used and some that may have even been made up, like “whiskilated” ferocity.
The three main police are all so different. Officer Love is sweetly naïve. Mr. Chubb is kind of a bumbler. Purbright is very insightful and ultimately puts all the pieces of the mystery together. While people show up dead, there isn’t any graphic violence. It doesn’t need it. The mystery takes twists and turns and there are a few surprises along the way. I highly recommend it. I will definitely be checking out the rest of the series.
Thank you to Farrago for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Alas, Colin Watson, author of Coffin, Scarcely Used is no longer with us!

Alas!

This thoroughly delightful novel was just what I needed to get through the winter blahs. It stars Inspector Purbright (and he is), one of the main characters in Watson's 12 Flaxborough novels. The book is set in England in the 1950s, and is replete with proper English. There is none of the slang one so often finds in modern mystery novels. The characters may hate each other, but they communicate properly.

As the novel opens, a fellow named Carobleat, a wealthy man by town standards, is laid to rest as cheaply as possible, which has the town on its ear. Carobleat presumably died of natural causes, but when his next door neighbor Marcus Gwill dies six months later, the causes are anything but usual. This attracts the attention of Inspector Purbright, who deems the neighbor was murdered.

A good many characters actually spent time with Gwill before his death, including the Widow Carobleat! What to make of that? And then there are those strange personal advertisements in the weekly newspaper--the very one that was owned by Gwill, but now goes to his nephew. With his sidekick Sergeant Love, Purbright is on the case, and thinks he is getting close when someone else meets his untimely demise!

This is a delicious novel filled with comedy and dry wit, things that go bump in the night, lively interactions, and a plethora of red herrings. I smiled, and often laughed out loud, every time I picked up the book. And, it's a whopping good mystery. I want to read them all.

Thank you NetGally and Farrago Publishers for making my day--and several nights--with this wonderful novel, which is the first book in the series..

I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my unbiased review.

This is a fun British whodunnit that hooked me quickly and kept me entertained and intrigued from the first page to the last with a great cast of characters, witty dialogue, and a classic mystery with twists and turns that kept me guessing. It was a bit old-fashioned but I enjoyed stepping back in time for an afternoon of reading pleasure. This is a perfect read with a cup of tea and a scone.