Anne Walling Knihy

The Second World War has begun, and England is under constant bombardment. Whilst working as a fire-watcher, Farrar receives a message from one Blenkinsop, who claims to have news for Farrar from the captain of the S.S. Bridgend, who went down with his torpedoed ship. Coincidentally, Philip Tolefree is also on the way to see Blenkinsop, having received a letter intimating that he will discover important information on a matter of national security. Heading to the seaside town of Westport, the two are caught up in an air raid, during which Blenkinsop is killed. But all is not as it seems. A doodled asterisk next to a picture of a clock seems to indicate that one of the guests at the Westport’s Imperial Hotel had foreknowledge of the raid. Moreover, reports of gunshots lead Tolefree to wonder whether Blenkinsop met his end by more direct means. From London to the Cotswolds to North Wales, Farrar and Tolefree find themselves on a quest not only to avenge the dead man but to discover the secret knowledge in his possession. This is a vintage murder mystery with a memorable wartime setting.

Shortly after 6:50 PM, Wellington Burnet, a wealthy English businessman, is in his study in the large country house of Midwood, alive. Shortly after 6:55, his body is found lifeless in that same study. During those fatal five minutes, none of the people present at Midwood could have entered that room, committed the crime, and exited without being seen. Yet someone did. The suspects are numerous. There is Alison, Burnet's young and beautiful wife, and there is lawyer Cossor, known for his passion for her. There is Elford, the butler hired without any references, and Denley, the personal secretary whose behavior reveals excessive intimacy with the family. There is Gillespie, the young nephew, and finally, there is Annesty, the guest known only to Burnet, summoned to discuss unspecified business. The culprit must be one of them, as they were the only ones in the house during those five minutes, but all have unassailable alibis. Published in 1932, The Fatal Five Minutes has been included in the list of milestones of the mystery genre compiled by Howard Haycraft and Ellery Queen.