Sir Gideon Ware, the newly elected mayor of Westcombe, collapses and dies while speaking at a luncheon. He's been poisoned. Ware developed the once sleepy fishing village into a crowded, noisy resort complete with game arcades, dance halls, bars, and other amusements. Despite being elected mayor, he hadn't been elected because of his popularity; rather, he had bullied his way into office. Chief Constable Boumphrey owes his job to Ware and calls in Scotland Yard to investigate so any animosity arising from the questioning of the influential luncheon attendees will fall on Scotland Yard and not on him. Scotland Yard Inspector Littlejohn, a recurring character in Bellairs's books, is sent to investigate. Boumphrey doesn't bother to meet or send someone to the train station to meet Littlejohn. Despite requesting the Yard's help, Boumphrey offers little assistance and withholds information from Littlejohn. There are plenty of potential murderers for Littlejohn to sift through, including several of the town's professionals and leading citizens. The story is well plotted and entertaining. It's a nice addition to the Inspector Littlejohn series.

Recently I have read another Bellairs title, The Case of the Famished Parson and one of the main things which struck me with He’d Rather Be Dead, is how much it deviates away from “typical” Bellairs. Not that this is a bad thing! It certainly keeps you on your readerly toes!

I enjoyed how Bellairs builds up to the murder at the mayoral banquet, as when he describes the various guests and events he takes the dignity and gravitas out of the occasion, revealing human folly and silliness instead. In contrast to several other stories by Bellairs, including The Case of the Famished Parson, Bellairs begins the story by introducing the murder victim first, rather than an incidental minor character. Nevertheless, Bellairs still shows his consistent skill in giving the reader a strong impression of a character in a few sentences.

In keeping with other classic crime novels such as Agatha Christie’s Ordeal by Innocence, Bellairs explores how benevolence is not always benevolent! Ware has radically transformed the seaside resort of Westcombe, but the narrative does not seem to suggest that these changes are for the better. The incessant holiday atmosphere becomes something of a struggle for the residents, and despite it being a time of war, there is a feeling of unhealthy excess.

Another “non-typical” feature of the story, is the inclusion of two unusual murder methods as I don’t normally associate Bellairs’ work with them. The first method in particular is well-used in conjunction with a red herring. The second death is also very inventive and chilling, adding a sinister tone we do not tend to find in a Bellairs novel.

Chief Constable Boumphrey, despite being on the periphery of the narrative, is a very intriguing, unusual and important character. We are told early in the story that he was a:
‘keen student of other Chief Constables and their methods, from the highlights of detective fiction to men like M Chiappe, deceased, and Herr Himmler, unfortunately still alive.’
In light of this he has a 'vast system of card indexes, dossiers of all and sundry in Westcombe and district.' Yet this efficiency is not seen in a positive light and the narrative reveals that:
'Littlejohn didn't like the atmosphere of the place or the idea of collecting dirty linen at all. It reminded him of the Nazis' private files or of the scandalous collections of private papers involved in pre-war French government corruption.'
Perhaps the story is trying to suggest that this approach to obtaining information, is unsporting or un-English? In contrast Miss Marple knows all of the gossip in St Mary Mead, yet because her methods are different, and because she is unofficial, her knowledge is not regarded poorly.

One consequence of the Chief Constable’s files is that Inspector Littlejohn does not need to spend a long time uncovering scandalous secrets, as instead they are provided in a clump when he reads from the files. This is a time/page space efficient approach, but I wondered about the effect it had on the story. Personally, I think it contributed to the way the beginning of the story becomes quite repetitive. Having read the files, Inspector Littlejohn then goes to interview everybody. Yet in these interviews no one has anything new to add. No one saw anything. At the end of the interviews two new clues emerge, which are important, but I think they make the interviews feel redundant and like padding.

This book also features another unusual element, for Bellairs, which is a manuscript at the end of the story. This is an interesting use of typography, but in the main I felt it did not add anything to the novel as a whole. It merely repeats the information we know, and I think it detracts from the dramatic ending previously achieved by the killer. I don’t think this is the most complex of mysteries, as there are some plot twists which can be anticipated from the first page, but Bellairs as always is an engrossing storyteller.

This story is set during World War II in one of George Bellairs’ favourite settings – a smallish English town. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that Westcombe is an idyllic village – it once was a quiet seaside resort, back in the days when it was not impossible to put “quiet” and “resort” in the same sentence. It is now a much expanded and much noisier town (and resort). The reader gets the impression that Bellairs much regrets these changes in small town English life, possibly because such places have not merely lost their beauty and peace, but also because snakes have settled into the former Edens which he so often used as settings.

The principal snake, or evil influence, in Westcombe is Sir Gideon Ware, whose unexpected and highly suspicious demise is described in the first chapter. Sir Gideon was at the height of his powers when this tragic event takes place. After an obscure and poverty-stricken boyhood in Hull, he has been elected mayor of the town where he made his career – and his fortune. He was not lacking in enemies, including all of the more prominent residents of the town, so the local authorities decide to call in Scotland Yard rather than ask such prominent people awkward questions. Inspector Littlejohn is dispatched, and is initially mistaken for an easy-going person who might well be manipulated a bit if needed to keep the scandals undercover. Needless to say, this impression is not correct.

In a way, this is a very typical Bellairs book, set in a smallish town with all kinds of scams and scandals underneath the placid surface, and with an infallible Inspector who can see through to the truth. But that’s not a complaint – there’s enough variety in the plot that it is an entertaining read rather than a repetition of another book, and enough similarity to allow the reader to be comfortably certain it will be an enjoyable read with interesting characters. It is a book of its era – best for those who like older detective novels – and for the most part it stands up well. One thread in the book is very much of its time, but can now be read as an interesting example of how very much culture has changed since the book was written. It certainly doesn’t spoil the book.

Another excellent murder mystery by Mr. Bellairs! As usual there is a great cast of characters and many twists and turns as the tale unwinds. I really enjoy getting to know the different personalities of each section of England where Inspector Littlejohn is called to solve the dastardly crime. Mr. Bellairs is currently my favorite mystery writer and I will be very sad whenever I run out of new ones to read & enjoy!

Posted by MAC on Amazon 6-5-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088P5LWXX?ref=cm_sw_em_r_rw_dp_jhLsMIC5BWLNy

Maurice Cowden

George Bellairs has a wonderful way of portraying the personality traits of his characters - and this book has him at his best. The people in this book are funny, spiteful and vindictive but Mr. Bellairs never goes over the top and always stops short of making them unbelievable. Inspector Little John is on top form, as usual, and sees below the surface of the petty scheming to outfox him. Every George Bellairs book is a gem and I never tire of reading his work. Let's hope that every single one is republished.

I have only read one other book by this author, and I had not previously stumbled onto the reason why a few of my blogging friends (Rekha @Book Decoder) to be particular were so fond of Bellairs. I think I finally found the attraction. 

I have to begin with the fact that struck me the most, although it has nothing to do with the mystery itself. Almost all the major characters introduced to us, including the victim and the detective have so much about them said to us, that it makes them vividly human. This particular feature is extended to the perpetrator as well. In the regular detective mystery style, there is so much gossip floating around that the victim seems like an irredeemable person and everyone having a motive to commit the crime since they all have secrets. Towards the end of the narrative, however, there was so much included about the leading players that I chastised myself for completely sorting them all out into black or white positions. 

After that extra-long description, I move on to the story. The mayor of a (not so) small seaside town dies abruptly in a party in his honour and dramatically too, considering his last words. The local constabulary decided to bring in outside help because of the nuances of the interpersonal relationships. Then Inspector Littlejohn comes onto the scene. The way the story unravels after his arrival, along with all the asides that translate into quite a humourous narrative was quite pleasing. Finally, I would not have guessed the culprit until the very end solely because we see the clues as and when the Inspector does and not a moment before. Overall this has me interested in tackling more of the author's works soon.

Amazon Customer
“He’d rather be dead“ is another great Inspector Little John mystery.
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2020
A dead Mayor and a Chief Constable who keeps personal files on the town’s upper crust lead to a very interesting tale of small town corruption, and murder. Inspector Little John’s wry wit is always entertaining as he weeds through multiple unexpected twists to solve the case. I also liked the character of DI Hazard and his insight on the locals. Enjoyable read for sure!

George Bellairs published,"He'd Rather Be Dead," in 1945. Readers learn more about Inspector Littlejohn's method of tracking down a murderer and his gentle persistence as he checks alibi's and past lives. The holiday town holds many, dark secrets and the Residents would rather Littlejohn not know of the graft and politics that endure. Bellairs always has a dab hand in describing the people and the background in his books. It is one of the things that makes reading him so enjoyable.

WWII in Europe is going on when this Mystery is written, so that makes it particularly interesting to me. I love the Carnival atmosphere and the sidekick the Inspector inherits in Inspector Harvester. The social imbalance is of interest because England was definitely based on a class system much sterner and stricter than ours. Bellairs makes great reading if you are interested in building the background, as well as the characters. I am... so, he has become one of my favorite Authors. Murder once started is hard to control though... will there be more?

My thanks to Netgalley and Agora Books

Another excellent Littlejohn mystery, with a fascinating setting of a seaside town in wartime. With all of these mysteries the interest lies in the wartime details, boarding houses, dance halls, local politics and the minutiae of people's lives. The steady investigation into the murders is a great read as motives and murderer are finally revealed.

He’d Rather Be Dead is an excellent Golden Age mystery by George Bellairs, starring his series detective Inspector Littlejohn.

This was a particular treat for the summer due to the seaside holiday location and was made even more enjoyable by the awfulness of the murder victim, Sir Gideon Ware. The denouement was satisfying, although I didn’t really need the murderer’s diary at the end to tie up the loose ends.

Long Live Littlejohn!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.

This is the sixth book I've read in this incredibly long running series and is one of the earlier of them. I liked the mystery and the war time setting - but I thought it was over too soon and wasn't as keen on the section from the murderer's diary. I was surprised when the mystery was looking like it was wrapping up quite early and was wondering whether there was going to be a twist - and then it was the confession/diary. But it was a good read aside from that, although it was one of the easier ones to figure out at least part of what had happened.

Another great George Bellairs book, this on set in Westcombe and includes a very tricky murder. There are lots of twists and turns and suspect characters and lots of police procedure, not a modern book, as Bellairs started writing in the 1930s, but fabulous and solid read.
There is a twist in the tale/tail which is very satisfying.

The mayor of a seaside town drops dead during his speech in a banquet and Littlejohn is called to find out who poisoned him amidst so many guests. The views of each character are given nicely. The town and it’s transformation in the backdrop of a war and the influence and power the victim holds are well portrayed. There are more than one victim and the conclusion describes it aptly.

I especially liked this book because Littlejohn is seen as caring and kind, mindful of the needs and feelings of others but still dedicated to his duty, just as each of us would hope we are. One grows to like him, want to meet him and be friends with him. Oddly, through him one has sympathy for everyone caught up in the murder.

I also like that Bellairs is entirely fair with the reader. We have all the information Littlejohn has. We just need the insight and it will all come together. The painstaking accumulation of a large body of work only for the solution to depend on just a few points is a story within a story that has its own form of satisfaction.

Finally, I like that the death and its aftermath is brought out as a tragedy; not just a peg to hang a story on. One is made to feel sympathy for the victim and the survivors who are also victims in their way. This aspect is so often ignored or glossed over yet it is the very reason murder is so heinous. It is an atom bomb of emotional destruction.

I think this is one of the best Bellairs' book I've read so far.
It's as engrossing and entertaining as usual but there's a lot of character development and plot complexity than usual.
The mystery is full of red herring and twists and turns and the solution comes as a surprise, not for the culprit but for the reason and how the murder took place.
The description of the seaside place and of the people are exception, it was like seeing a historical documentary.
It's a book I loved and I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to Agora Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

He'd Rather Be Dead by George Bellairs is number nine in the Chief Inspector Littlejohn series. I received it for review from George Bellairs Literary Estate via NetGalley.

Sir Gideon Ware - the mayor of Westcombe is murdered during the annual lunch he is holding for Boroug officials. He is a man making enemies everywhere, and no one grieves his death (apart from his wife), when he is murdered during the lunch. He is poisoned, but it seems nobody has been able to administer the poison. Everyone attending the lunch are suspects, and in the beginning it was rather a lot of people to keep track of. As the Chief Constable Mr. Boumphrey is afraid to be unpopular among the distinguished guests at the lunch, he asks for Scotland Yards help, and Littlejohn comes to help. He succeeds in solving Wares murder and yet another one committed during his investigations.
It is a well told story. Bellairs is rather good at describing the various people and the atmosphere in a buzzing seaside town with fairs and nightlife and lots of tourists.
The Murderer has made a record of his life and what led to his crime, and the way he perceives Littlejohn's investigations.
This was yet another pleasant read about Littlejohn.

After reading just over half of the 56 Littlejohn mysteries, I expected this one to have a more typically straightforward plot. Bellairs always spins a good story with enough plot and historical/geographical detail to keep hold my attention, but his clearer focus is on the characters involved seen through Littlejohn's sharp powers of observation. The plot here does follow the broad outlines of other Littlejohn mysteries, at least until the killer is identified; but the story has much more complex character development than I've found in his books to date. And I was surprised how deeply I found myself drawn into the lives and emotions of the characters - much more than in any previous book by Bellairs. The story line is laid out by various reviewers and sites, but the gut punch of the surprise is not the killer but the back story of the motive(s) and the pain involved for all. The character of the victim(s) and killer are much more nuanced and, unlike many of his other books, there is a great deal of sympathy for all involved when the final chapter ends. Highly recommend.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Agora Books for the ARC.
I enjoyed this book. I've not read any previous work by this author (and only just discovered this was originally published in 1945), but for me it was exactly of its time - set in 1942 - with the poetic English and manners of that time. I felt as if I was watching a black and white film.
The scene is set in the opening chapter; a lavish banquet in honour of the Mayor of Westcombe-on-Sea, Sir Gideon Ware. All of Sir Gideon's enemies are there, his only actual friend being his wife.
When he collapses during his speech, confirmed to have been poisoned, the Chief Constable, Boumphrey, wishing to avoid having to question the great and the good of the town, calls in Inspector Littlejohn from Scotland Yard.
Just how was the Mayor poisoned when everyone there had the same food and drinks? It's a mystery which Littlejohn, with the help of DI Hazard slowly and methodically unravels.
There are lots of red-herrings and mis-directions along the way within this complex plot.
I liked the writing style and the detailed characterisations, along with the atmosphere of a busy seaside resort away from the ravages of war.

I'd really quite like to read another Littlejohn Mystery.

When the mayor of a seaside resort town falls dead from poison during an after dinner speech, a gathering that saw him surrounded by the leading lights of the town, most of whom were his enemies, the chief constable calls in Scotland Yard, so that he doesn’t have to get on the bad side of such important people. Plenty of secrets and corruption for Inspector Littlejohn to uncover, possibly including those the chief constable himself. Solid police procedural, and rather more detail about and sympathy for the murderer than usual. Enjoyable.

Sir Gideon Ware, poor boy who worked himself up in the school of hard knocks,dies in Westcomb at the banquet to celebrate his election as Mayor. Who would have wanted to do that? As it turns out, quite a few people. He turned the town from a quiet seaside village to a "resort". He has no problems stepping on toes on the way.
Bellairs provides some wonderful red herrings, including a chief constable that would have made a fine murder victim himself.
The big question to solve first is "How was it done?". This is a real challenge and there are many red herrings along the way.
The thing that I valued most in this book was the character study of Sir Gideon. In many ways Sir Gideon is the man you love to hate, yet at the same time, as his character and history unfold it is easy to see those factors that made him what he was. Had just a few things been a little different, there could have been a completely different ending to this story. It was not all Sir Gideon's fault. I think this is the most complex character of Bellairs that I have come across yet.