The Flaxborough Crab

I would like to thank Netgalley and Farrago for a review copy of The Flaxborough Crab, the sixth novel to feature DI Purbright, originally published in 1969.

There is a sex pest on the loose in Flaxborough and the ladies of the town are frightened. With no clear cut MO. or much of a description except he's elderly and has a sideways run Inspector Purbright is at a loss as how to catch the man dubbed The Flaxborough Crab until Alderman Steven Winge dies after chasing Miss Pollock with amatory intentions. Clearly he is The Flaxborough Crab but Inspector Purbright is not convinced that this is the end of the case.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Flaxborough Crab which is a clever, amusing read. From the opening chapter where a librarian is attacked to the ironic ending the novel held me entranced as it is both situational comedy and a comedy of manners. I know that nowadays any kind of unwanted sexual advances are not acceptable but the idea of an unsuccessful geriatric predator scuttling about like a crab is highly amusing if not very P.C.. The reactions to it are delightfully understated and imply so much more than is actually said and very in keeping with the times it was written in. The involvement of the amoral Miss Lucilla Teatime adds an extra layer as the reader tries to work out her latest scam.

The Flaxborough Crab is an elegant, witty and quintessentially British novel which I have no hesitation in recommending as a good read.

DI Purbright is going fishing for the "Flaxborough Crab" ,with Miss Lucy Teatime to make sure this isn't a case of the one that got away!

'My God, Sid! The whole bloody town's infested with sexual maniacs! What the hell are we going to do?'

Another brilliantly comic take on the traditional English village mystery from Watson. Here over-60s men turn into rather inept sexual predators and peeping toms, with Mr Grope demanding his 'conjuggling rights' - and, as ever, the fragrant though decidedly dodgy Miss Lucilla Teatime joins forces with Inspector Purbright to Restore Order.

Watson's comic eye is as sharp as ever - a veritable delight!

The discovery of Colin Watson's Flaxborough novels has been a joy. They are compact gems of wit, acute observation and plotting and every one so far has been an absolute pleasure.

The Flaxborough Crab is the sixth in the series, in which women of the town are subjected to thoroughly inept attempted sexual assaults (which they are often amusingly well able to deal with), apparently by an elderly perpetrator. Things, naturally, become more complex and Purbright and Love find themselves widening their investigation as the magnificent Miss Lucy Teatime also becomes involved.

It's typical Watson – and I mean that as the highest compliment. His portraits of the characters of the town are as shrewd and acerbic as ever and the writing is a masterclass in beautifully crafted prose and dry wit. This, as a "Treat" is being inflicted on the elderly by some of the town's worthies, will give a flavour:
"The chief organiser of the treat bustled into the room, rubbing his hands and saying "Fine! Fine!" over and over again. He hosed the Darbys and Joans with his smile and inflicted a vigorous handshake upon as many as lacked the presence of mind to feign earnest search for something on the floor." ("Hosed". Brilliant!)

Flaxborough Crab is a hugely enjoyable instalment in a wonderful series. Very warmly recommended.

(My thanks to Farrago Books for an ARC via NetGalley.)

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

Reading these novels in order, I really appreciate the various characters; the kind but astute Inspector Purbright, the youthful-looking and long-suffering Sergeant Love, Chief Constable Chubb, who has to be "managed" by Purbright, and of course Miss Teatime, who manages to be on the side of the angels, even while pursuing her less than legal activities.

This was an enjoyable story, although its attitude to sexual harassment/assault on women is very much "of the time". The women here fight off their attackers wth contemptuous ease and take things in their stride, but I don't think this storyline would be written today. A satisfactory plot and resolution.

I'm very much enjoying this series.

“Something or other is sending half the over-sixties round the twist” in the Flaxborough Crab.

A rash of panty theft, quick grope and runs, and window peeping has befallen Flaxborough. The perps are described as elderly men who scuttle away sideways like a crab. When an esteemed villager is accidentally killed while perpetrating an attack, the police rest easy. But hours later, two more incidents are reported. What is causing the disruption of the usual calmness of Flaxborough life?

This is the sixth book in the Flaxborough Mystery series but it can easily be read as a stand-alone. By using metaphors, the Flaxborough Crab successfully combines naughty details with a totally clean story line that is fine for all ages. Some of the metaphors, especially at the senior picnic using flowers, are laugh-out-loud funny. The mystery is more of a whydunnit than the traditional whodunnit.

The Flaxborough Crab is highly recommended for 20th century police procedural and British cozy mystery fans. It could be likened to a 1950’s precursor of the Stephanie Plum series with the elderly women of the village playing a clean version of Lula. Seriously, this book is funny! 5 stars!

Thanks to the publisher, Farrago Books, and NetGalley for a copy. I can’t wait for the next in the series!

DI Purbright is back in this sixth book in the Flaxborough series. This time he is after a man referred to as the Flaxborough Crab. The man has attempted to accost several women, who are sharp-witted enough to have escaped his clutches. By a surprising turn of events, the case seems to have suddenly solved itself. However, there is much more to be discovered.

What a quick and smartly humorous book! I look forward to reading all of the books in this series by Colin Watson.

Many thanks to Farrago Books and to NetGalley for this book for review.

This is the sixth novel in the humorous crime series written by Colin Watson and featuring Detective Inspector Purbright and Sergeant Love. Originally published in 1969, this is a charming and witty police procedural book set in Flaxborough, a town filled with eccentric characters and strange events.

This novel focuses on a spate of rather inept attacks on young women. Various culprits and theories are presented, leading Purbright back to Miss Lucilla Edith Cavill Teatime, a regular in this series (and a favourite of mine).

This is an easy read and one that fits into the category of cosy crime. There's nothing particularly grim here, even if the subject matter (sexual attacks) has the potential to be disturbing - it's all handled with a light touch and Watson's gentle humour and there never seems to be real threat to the women. It's probably not the strongest plot of the series, but enjoyable nevertheless.

Another good story by Colin Watson. I like the fact that the same people turn up, I'm getting agood mental image of Flaxborough, which is something I like when reading. These are lovely gentle stories. This one is humerous, exciting and has a devilish murder. I think we'll be seeing more of Miss Teatime too.