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Mrs Pargeter #1
A Nice Class Of Corpse
Meet Mrs Melita Pargeter, a vivacious widow whose mystery-solving talents come in handy when a murderer stalks a hotel for well-to-do retirees.
She checks into the Devereux Hotel on England’s sunny south coast. Where secrets hide behind every door and the sea-views are to die for . . .
Her arrival, in a fancy car and a flurry of silk, causes much excitement among the elderly residents.
By next morning, they have something new to talk about � the discovery of a crumpled body at the foot of the stairs.
The victim is old Mrs Selsby, timid occupant of the hotel’s most coveted sea-front room. Everyone says her death was a tragic accident, but Melita’s not so sure.
Wealthy Mrs S. just happens to have left her fortune to her fellow Devereux residents. And then there’s the matter of her jewellery. A priceless collection that seems to be disappearing piece by piece . . .
Melita may be pushing seventy, but she still has a trick or two left up her sleeve.
Can she catch the killer before anyone else dies?
She checks into the Devereux Hotel on England’s sunny south coast. Where secrets hide behind every door and the sea-views are to die for . . .
Her arrival, in a fancy car and a flurry of silk, causes much excitement among the elderly residents.
By next morning, they have something new to talk about � the discovery of a crumpled body at the foot of the stairs.
The victim is old Mrs Selsby, timid occupant of the hotel’s most coveted sea-front room. Everyone says her death was a tragic accident, but Melita’s not so sure.
Wealthy Mrs S. just happens to have left her fortune to her fellow Devereux residents. And then there’s the matter of her jewellery. A priceless collection that seems to be disappearing piece by piece . . .
Melita may be pushing seventy, but she still has a trick or two left up her sleeve.
Can she catch the killer before anyone else dies?
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
1,322 people are currently reading
2,064 people want to read
About the author
Simon Brett
392Ìýbooks511ÌýfollowersSimon Brett is a prolific British writer of whodunnits.
He is the son of a Chartered Surveyor and was educated at Dulwich College and Wadham College, Oxford, where he got a first class honours degree in English.
He then joined the BBC as a trainee and worked for BBC Radio and London Weekend Television, where his work included 'Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Frank Muir Goes Into ...'.
After his spells with the media he began devoting most of his time to writing from the late 1970s and is well known for his various series of crime novels.
He is married with three children and lives in Burpham, near Arundel, West Sussex, England. He is the current president of the Detection Club.
He is the son of a Chartered Surveyor and was educated at Dulwich College and Wadham College, Oxford, where he got a first class honours degree in English.
He then joined the BBC as a trainee and worked for BBC Radio and London Weekend Television, where his work included 'Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Frank Muir Goes Into ...'.
After his spells with the media he began devoting most of his time to writing from the late 1970s and is well known for his various series of crime novels.
He is married with three children and lives in Burpham, near Arundel, West Sussex, England. He is the current president of the Detection Club.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 340 reviews
April 30, 2018
Two decades ago, I obtained hardcovers from a grocery store bin. Simon Brett's is from his oldest series, volumes into another series. Mrs. Melita Pargeter sounded like the most humorous hostess with whom to at last start. I loved Simon's style and the attitudes of these personages instantly! I rarely read males and not all authors are weavers of eloquent writing. I am wooed by well-chosen words I had never considered, myself! Streamlined of bulky descriptions, well-phrased observations chosen with economy, is art that I stop, reread, and admire with awe.
What's more, this series is wonderfully original, in setting and mystery plots, both. That we sympathize with a heroine unique in age and disposition, who is mysterious herself and who surprises us for now, is icing on the cake. Culminating in a well-crafted mystery is almost in superfluity! �A Nice Class Of Corpse�, 1992 is modern enough but soothingly conjures a classic epoch because personal computer use was in its infancy and most of this cast is elderly. Our new heroine is a sixty-seven year old widow but fit and independent, who tries a retirement resort. Citing her husband's unnamed skills, she has the tools to investigate crime when it befalls her community. She doesn't allow the fifty year-old owner to insist upon customs, replying, for example: “I shower whenever I please�!
I love intelligence, rather than cuteness. If Simon's other series are this enjoyable, I am in for a treat. Sleuthing expeditions and twists abound but humour and exquisite language take the cake. A priceless quote on page 11 cracked me up! I am a fan, from this ingenius observation alone!
“And to WHAT would you attribute your health, Mrs. Pargeter? (The ‘what� was heavily aspirated. Miss Naismith always gave full value to any ‘H� following a ‘W�)�!
What's more, this series is wonderfully original, in setting and mystery plots, both. That we sympathize with a heroine unique in age and disposition, who is mysterious herself and who surprises us for now, is icing on the cake. Culminating in a well-crafted mystery is almost in superfluity! �A Nice Class Of Corpse�, 1992 is modern enough but soothingly conjures a classic epoch because personal computer use was in its infancy and most of this cast is elderly. Our new heroine is a sixty-seven year old widow but fit and independent, who tries a retirement resort. Citing her husband's unnamed skills, she has the tools to investigate crime when it befalls her community. She doesn't allow the fifty year-old owner to insist upon customs, replying, for example: “I shower whenever I please�!
I love intelligence, rather than cuteness. If Simon's other series are this enjoyable, I am in for a treat. Sleuthing expeditions and twists abound but humour and exquisite language take the cake. A priceless quote on page 11 cracked me up! I am a fan, from this ingenius observation alone!
“And to WHAT would you attribute your health, Mrs. Pargeter? (The ‘what� was heavily aspirated. Miss Naismith always gave full value to any ‘H� following a ‘W�)�!
September 17, 2023
A Nice Class of Corpse is an English mystery from 1986 by the prolific author and producer Simon Brett. It is the first of the Mrs. Pargeter series.
As well as editing, producing and being involved at every stage of many BBC radio projects over the years, Simon Brett has written at least 4 sitcom series as well as radio comedies, and he narrates his own audio books. The Charles Paris series has 20 books, Mrs. Pargeter has 8, Fethering 21, Blotto and Twinks 10, Decluttering 3, plus there are a lot of standalones. He has written 10 plays and compiled around 20 anthologies. In 2014 he won the CWA’s prestigious Diamond Dagger for an outstanding body of work, and in 2016 he was awarded an OBE for services to Literature. There is no doubt that Simon Brett is a very popular author of comedies and light mystery stories, which are very entertaining and easy to read.
A Nice Class of Corpse is an amusing title, referring to the impossibly genteel proprietress of a “select� seaside hotel on the South coast of England. The word “hotel� is a misnomer, but to term it a “boarding house� would no doubt induce a shiver of disapproval from the snobbish Miss Naismith. Her guests are elderly wealthy residents, all of whom, it is understood, belong to a “better class� of person. They accept the smooth running of the hotel, and the obsequiousness of the staff as their right, and for this Miss Naismith provides them with a fairly comfortable existence, with certain social rules and routines which (reassuringly for all parties) must never be transgressed.
But into this haven of upper middle-class respectability enters Mrs. Melita Pargeter, who is most decidedly not “one of us�. She is wealthy enough, but has no intention of fitting in with the various routines, or of obeying Miss Naismith’s imposed strictures. Mrs. Pargeter is amiable, and always polite and caring, but she makes her own decisions, and these do not always conform to the rigid stipulations of “The Devereux Hotel�.
What’s more, we are privy to some of the internal musings of Mrs. Pargeter, and find that her past does not bear close examination. There is no doubt that this attractive and rich widow was loved by her late husband, who left her well provided for financially, with a barrel load of advice into the bargain. However some of this advice seems rather unusual, such as always keeping a torch handy, carrying a small pistol in her handbag, and one gem which was drummed into her � to always tell the truth as far as possible, but never volunteer to the police more than they ask for.
So what exactly was Mr. Pargeter’s profession? We are never actually told, but can surmise almost from the first moment we meet Mrs. Pargeter. The name incidentally is a nice clue to the “less than desirable� accent Mrs. Pargeter speaks with. “Pargetting� is a traditional form of plastering, only to be found on the outside of old houses in Essex. The distinctive old Essex accent has almost been usurped, but what remains is a sort of Essex cockney, spoken by incomers from the East End of London.
But these well-to-do retirees in Miss Naismith’s desirable and most respectable establishment do not know what to make of the latest perky resident. She arrives in a luxury car, causing a frisson of excitement among the eight or so residents, and making her presence felt in no uncertain terms.
And the arrival of Mrs. Pargeter seems to act as a catalyst for disaster, involving everyone connected with The Devereux hotel. On the morning after her arrival, the body of a frail, harmless old lady is found , and shortly after that another death shakes the complacency of the genteel residents. The forthright, gossipy Mrs. Pargeter is interested in - even curious about - everyone in the place.
She ponders on these events, becoming increasingly suspicious about the deaths, and decides to investigate for herself. She asks questions and gets answers which uncover some startling facts, about innocent and guilty alike. Mrs. Pargeter discovers that more than one person in the Devereux has a motive for murder, and along the way there are few nice twists, false leads and red herrings, plus a real humdinger at the end, when you are sure you have guessed the murderer.
If you have never read a book by Simon Brett but like English cosy mysteries, then give him a try. Do not be put off by my default rating of three stars; the enjoyment factor is probably higher. Simon Brett is not a literary author, but I believe he knows exactly where his talents lie, and knows the sort of light fiction that English people enjoy. (They are, I have to say, very English!) His writing is fairly formulaic, unambiguous; his plots work and the writing is lively. Simon Brett writes quickly, and writes books which can be read in just a day if you set your mind to it, (and wish to).
It’s worth remembering that Simon Brett was the president of “The Detection Club� from 2000 to 2015, and mystery lovers will know who founded that august body, and - with a few others in 1930 - wrote the rules for a good mystery novel. Yes, it was none other than the Queen of Crime herself, Agatha Christie, in what we now think of as the Golden Age of the English Mystery story.
Here are a few reviews for A Nice Class of Corpse, “the first wickedly entertaining cozy mystery featuring wily retired widow Mrs Pargeter�:
“Few crime writers are so enchantingly gifted.� - The Sunday Times
“Like a little malice in your mysteries? Some cynicism in your cozies? Simon Brett is happy to oblige �.�
“An amusing caper � Mr. Brett is in top form� - The New York Times
And this is what fellow crime writers had to say:
“A new Simon Brett novel is an event for mystery fans!� - P.D. James
“Murder most enjoyable.� - Colin Dexter
As well as editing, producing and being involved at every stage of many BBC radio projects over the years, Simon Brett has written at least 4 sitcom series as well as radio comedies, and he narrates his own audio books. The Charles Paris series has 20 books, Mrs. Pargeter has 8, Fethering 21, Blotto and Twinks 10, Decluttering 3, plus there are a lot of standalones. He has written 10 plays and compiled around 20 anthologies. In 2014 he won the CWA’s prestigious Diamond Dagger for an outstanding body of work, and in 2016 he was awarded an OBE for services to Literature. There is no doubt that Simon Brett is a very popular author of comedies and light mystery stories, which are very entertaining and easy to read.
A Nice Class of Corpse is an amusing title, referring to the impossibly genteel proprietress of a “select� seaside hotel on the South coast of England. The word “hotel� is a misnomer, but to term it a “boarding house� would no doubt induce a shiver of disapproval from the snobbish Miss Naismith. Her guests are elderly wealthy residents, all of whom, it is understood, belong to a “better class� of person. They accept the smooth running of the hotel, and the obsequiousness of the staff as their right, and for this Miss Naismith provides them with a fairly comfortable existence, with certain social rules and routines which (reassuringly for all parties) must never be transgressed.
But into this haven of upper middle-class respectability enters Mrs. Melita Pargeter, who is most decidedly not “one of us�. She is wealthy enough, but has no intention of fitting in with the various routines, or of obeying Miss Naismith’s imposed strictures. Mrs. Pargeter is amiable, and always polite and caring, but she makes her own decisions, and these do not always conform to the rigid stipulations of “The Devereux Hotel�.
What’s more, we are privy to some of the internal musings of Mrs. Pargeter, and find that her past does not bear close examination. There is no doubt that this attractive and rich widow was loved by her late husband, who left her well provided for financially, with a barrel load of advice into the bargain. However some of this advice seems rather unusual, such as always keeping a torch handy, carrying a small pistol in her handbag, and one gem which was drummed into her � to always tell the truth as far as possible, but never volunteer to the police more than they ask for.
So what exactly was Mr. Pargeter’s profession? We are never actually told, but can surmise almost from the first moment we meet Mrs. Pargeter. The name incidentally is a nice clue to the “less than desirable� accent Mrs. Pargeter speaks with. “Pargetting� is a traditional form of plastering, only to be found on the outside of old houses in Essex. The distinctive old Essex accent has almost been usurped, but what remains is a sort of Essex cockney, spoken by incomers from the East End of London.
But these well-to-do retirees in Miss Naismith’s desirable and most respectable establishment do not know what to make of the latest perky resident. She arrives in a luxury car, causing a frisson of excitement among the eight or so residents, and making her presence felt in no uncertain terms.
And the arrival of Mrs. Pargeter seems to act as a catalyst for disaster, involving everyone connected with The Devereux hotel. On the morning after her arrival, the body of a frail, harmless old lady is found , and shortly after that another death shakes the complacency of the genteel residents. The forthright, gossipy Mrs. Pargeter is interested in - even curious about - everyone in the place.
She ponders on these events, becoming increasingly suspicious about the deaths, and decides to investigate for herself. She asks questions and gets answers which uncover some startling facts, about innocent and guilty alike. Mrs. Pargeter discovers that more than one person in the Devereux has a motive for murder, and along the way there are few nice twists, false leads and red herrings, plus a real humdinger at the end, when you are sure you have guessed the murderer.
If you have never read a book by Simon Brett but like English cosy mysteries, then give him a try. Do not be put off by my default rating of three stars; the enjoyment factor is probably higher. Simon Brett is not a literary author, but I believe he knows exactly where his talents lie, and knows the sort of light fiction that English people enjoy. (They are, I have to say, very English!) His writing is fairly formulaic, unambiguous; his plots work and the writing is lively. Simon Brett writes quickly, and writes books which can be read in just a day if you set your mind to it, (and wish to).
It’s worth remembering that Simon Brett was the president of “The Detection Club� from 2000 to 2015, and mystery lovers will know who founded that august body, and - with a few others in 1930 - wrote the rules for a good mystery novel. Yes, it was none other than the Queen of Crime herself, Agatha Christie, in what we now think of as the Golden Age of the English Mystery story.
Here are a few reviews for A Nice Class of Corpse, “the first wickedly entertaining cozy mystery featuring wily retired widow Mrs Pargeter�:
“Few crime writers are so enchantingly gifted.� - The Sunday Times
“Like a little malice in your mysteries? Some cynicism in your cozies? Simon Brett is happy to oblige �.�
“An amusing caper � Mr. Brett is in top form� - The New York Times
And this is what fellow crime writers had to say:
“A new Simon Brett novel is an event for mystery fans!� - P.D. James
“Murder most enjoyable.� - Colin Dexter
March 28, 2024
3.5-4 stars for this fun and entertaining cozy mystery. Brett does a great job of diving right in, introducing a great character, Mrs. Pargeter, a widow moving into a refined seaside hotel for senior citizens on Britain’s south coast.
I’ve read many mystery series over the years, and find one often must make allowances for ‘first book� syndrome, where an author painstakingly (and often clumsily) establishes main characters, setting, time period, etc. Sometimes the series gets better, book by book, other times not so much. Here, the prolific Brett has faith that his readers can keep up and gets right going.
Melita Pargeter is a charming, delightful lady; we learn her dear departed husband left her well provided for, and did something probably illegal. Through her internal monologues, we learn “dear Mr. Pargeter� taught her to use and left her a set of skeleton keys, a jeweler’s loupe to assess real vs. fake jewels, and a gun. He also left an extensive network of interesting contacts that can help with all sorts of questionable things, like getting the combination to an office safe, or the name of a legitimate jeweler who can also produce beautiful, virtually undetectable reproductions. Very interesting�
By the end of Mrs. Pargeter’s first week at the Devereux Hotel, two residents have died in apparent accidents, and the jewels of one of the victims have been stolen. Mrs. Pargeter decides to investigate. She does very well on her own, no police sidekick; Mr. Pargeter always said be prepared to answer questions if the police come around, but don’t go seeking them out - or offering more information than absolutely necessary!
This was fun, I have enjoyed other books by this author, and would read on in this series. Mrs. Pargeter is an entertaining heroine, and a smart and careful detective. I want to learn more, also, about her former life.
I’ve read many mystery series over the years, and find one often must make allowances for ‘first book� syndrome, where an author painstakingly (and often clumsily) establishes main characters, setting, time period, etc. Sometimes the series gets better, book by book, other times not so much. Here, the prolific Brett has faith that his readers can keep up and gets right going.
Melita Pargeter is a charming, delightful lady; we learn her dear departed husband left her well provided for, and did something probably illegal. Through her internal monologues, we learn “dear Mr. Pargeter� taught her to use and left her a set of skeleton keys, a jeweler’s loupe to assess real vs. fake jewels, and a gun. He also left an extensive network of interesting contacts that can help with all sorts of questionable things, like getting the combination to an office safe, or the name of a legitimate jeweler who can also produce beautiful, virtually undetectable reproductions. Very interesting�
By the end of Mrs. Pargeter’s first week at the Devereux Hotel, two residents have died in apparent accidents, and the jewels of one of the victims have been stolen. Mrs. Pargeter decides to investigate. She does very well on her own, no police sidekick; Mr. Pargeter always said be prepared to answer questions if the police come around, but don’t go seeking them out - or offering more information than absolutely necessary!
This was fun, I have enjoyed other books by this author, and would read on in this series. Mrs. Pargeter is an entertaining heroine, and a smart and careful detective. I want to learn more, also, about her former life.
February 3, 2014
Knowing Simon Brett's name from BBC Radio 4 plays etc, I must admit I expected something more from this novel, series installment though it is. While the writing is decent (no grammatical howlers, at least)the book reads like an attempt to remake "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd". The premise is antiquated without being a "period cosy." We have all the elements of a Marpelite mystery: genteel "hotel" (ie retirement home), constant reading of the Times and changing of clothes, jewelry left about with abandon, rigid regime, rivalry over rooms etc. But it just doesn't ring true. The social conventions upheld by the matron--oh, excuse me, owner and manageress--are too old-fashioned even for aging members of the Established Orders. Published in 1988, so the majority of the inmates--sorry, paying guests--of the hotel would have been far too young to have practiced all the niceties so common in the 1930s world of Christie and Co. Adding Coronation Street, Perrier water and soft porn videos into the mix just made it that much more jarring.
I also found the use of the diary entries right from page one to be annoying and unnecessary. The style of the diary is so laboured as to be laughable, and the ending is just too convenient for words. As the author himself suggests at one point, they really should have just left him (and by "him" I mean the writer) in the library with a stiff brandy and soda to hand and a revolver in the drawer.
I'm usually able to read and enjoy just about anything light during a night of insomnia, but this book left me feeling impatient, frustrated and annoyed that I'd spent the three scant hours it took to read on it.
Having glanced at a few reviews here, I see that many readers feel this is not Mr Brett's finest output for the Pargeter novels. Let's hope for better luck next time.
I also found the use of the diary entries right from page one to be annoying and unnecessary. The style of the diary is so laboured as to be laughable, and the ending is just too convenient for words. As the author himself suggests at one point, they really should have just left him (and by "him" I mean the writer) in the library with a stiff brandy and soda to hand and a revolver in the drawer.
I'm usually able to read and enjoy just about anything light during a night of insomnia, but this book left me feeling impatient, frustrated and annoyed that I'd spent the three scant hours it took to read on it.
Having glanced at a few reviews here, I see that many readers feel this is not Mr Brett's finest output for the Pargeter novels. Let's hope for better luck next time.
January 18, 2021
is an expert at cozy, entertaining mysteries. I'd previously read the 3rd book in his Melita Pargeter mystery series and was glad to finally get a chance to read the first, . This was a great intro to a wonderful character. Mrs Pargeter is a widow whose husband seemed to live on the edge of the law. (he remains an enigmatic character, with only clues to what he was like when he lived.)
This first story finds Mrs. Pargeter moving to the coastal town of Littlehampton to a small hotel whose residents also live a retired life under the care of house manager Mrs. Naismith. Mrs. Pargeter immediately rubs Mrs. Naismith the wrong way as she seems to be a bit of a 'live wire', who might disturb Naismith's sedate hotel style.
Things pick up almost immediately with the death ('murder') of one of the residents, Mrs. Selby is found dead the next morning. Mrs. Pargeter's interest is piqued immediately as she thinks something suspicious is going on. Using tools and techniques taught her by her dead husband (well, taught while he was still alive, of course), Melita brings her lock picks, gloves, etc to her investigation and will also eventually request the assistance of old associates of her husband.
It's an entertaining mystery. There will be other deaths. We'll be introduced to the murderer... indirectly. Mrs. Pargeter is a fascinating character; down to earth, with an inquisitive mind and a blunt approach to investigating. The hotel is peopled with interesting characters (read 'suspects') and the mystery is well-developed and presented. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending, it took a little unsuspected twist that I didn't see. Looking forward to finding the 2nd story now (3.5 stars)
This first story finds Mrs. Pargeter moving to the coastal town of Littlehampton to a small hotel whose residents also live a retired life under the care of house manager Mrs. Naismith. Mrs. Pargeter immediately rubs Mrs. Naismith the wrong way as she seems to be a bit of a 'live wire', who might disturb Naismith's sedate hotel style.
Things pick up almost immediately with the death ('murder') of one of the residents, Mrs. Selby is found dead the next morning. Mrs. Pargeter's interest is piqued immediately as she thinks something suspicious is going on. Using tools and techniques taught her by her dead husband (well, taught while he was still alive, of course), Melita brings her lock picks, gloves, etc to her investigation and will also eventually request the assistance of old associates of her husband.
It's an entertaining mystery. There will be other deaths. We'll be introduced to the murderer... indirectly. Mrs. Pargeter is a fascinating character; down to earth, with an inquisitive mind and a blunt approach to investigating. The hotel is peopled with interesting characters (read 'suspects') and the mystery is well-developed and presented. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending, it took a little unsuspected twist that I didn't see. Looking forward to finding the 2nd story now (3.5 stars)
March 12, 2016
I'm glad this wasn't the first Mrs. Pargeter mystery I read. It doesn't have near the amount of charm later books in the series do. I would recommend instead starting with "Mrs, Presumed Dead" or "Mrs. Pargeter's Package." Both are lovely. Then, once you've become fond of her, come back to this. It's still a good read, but not near as remarkable as the others I've read.
May 4, 2024
A Nice Class of Corpse (Mrs. Pargeter, #1) by Simon Brett.
Once again this author hits the mark. I can almost always count on him for a fun ride in a mystery. This is the beginning of the Mrs. Pargeter series and I'm on my way to fun, fun and more fun following it.
Melita Pargeter is quite the sleuth endowed with helpful tips from her late husband. The Devereaux is a seaside hotel for the elderly as their last resort of choice. Miss Naismith is the Devereaux's proprietress and she runs the facility in clockwork order or at least she does her best to measure up to the highest standards she can muster. One by one Mrs. Pargeter is introduced to each fellow guest. Each one meeting the class required at the Devereaux.
I enjoyed this book so much I checked out another 5 in this series. My hope is that it's as successful (in my eyes) as the Fethering series. This book is an oldie but a goodie.
Once again this author hits the mark. I can almost always count on him for a fun ride in a mystery. This is the beginning of the Mrs. Pargeter series and I'm on my way to fun, fun and more fun following it.
Melita Pargeter is quite the sleuth endowed with helpful tips from her late husband. The Devereaux is a seaside hotel for the elderly as their last resort of choice. Miss Naismith is the Devereaux's proprietress and she runs the facility in clockwork order or at least she does her best to measure up to the highest standards she can muster. One by one Mrs. Pargeter is introduced to each fellow guest. Each one meeting the class required at the Devereaux.
I enjoyed this book so much I checked out another 5 in this series. My hope is that it's as successful (in my eyes) as the Fethering series. This book is an oldie but a goodie.
February 23, 2021
Intelligent older woman, a widow looking for a place to settle in tries her luck at a "refined" boarding house. This grand tale, first published in 1986, served as my introduction to this likable lady who seems to have been schooled by her dead husband in the ways of lockpicking, safe cracking and careful sleuthing. These talents come in handy as the residents are being murdered one by one. Who will be next? The town: Littlehampton, the house affording views of the sea.
The characters who live in this catered residence all provide a generous dollop of humour.
Loan from Friend - Thank You!
The characters who live in this catered residence all provide a generous dollop of humour.
Loan from Friend - Thank You!
September 8, 2016
A Nice Class of Corpse: Mrs Pargeter Series Book 1
Four stars for a novel sleuth.
Mrs Pargeter is the widow of the late Mr Pargeter, who left her well off. Mrs P is not upper class, but she is respectable. Mrs P also inherited his little black book [LBB]. Mr Pargeter kept his business below the radar. Whenever Mrs Pargeter has an inquiry, she uses the LBB to contact the bestcriminals people with the relevant expertise for help.
Somebody is on their last legs, and before they die, the want a few thrills: like committing murder! The villain make's a mistake when he or she sets their murderous intentions on Melita Pargeter.
I like this modern take on a senior amateur sleuth. Mrs P is a fascinating character. She has a strong moral code and a love for her late husband but she is not ready to retire from life. I will follow this series because I think it has potential.
The quality of the writing is good. The plot is interesting, and I like the diary entry approach for the murder's input. It is an entertaining light read that I would recommend.
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Book Rating
Sexual Content: U
Language: U
Violent: U
Read the next oneor reread : Yes
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A magnificent read. A prominent example of the genre.
Four stars for a novel sleuth.
Mrs Pargeter is the widow of the late Mr Pargeter, who left her well off. Mrs P is not upper class, but she is respectable. Mrs P also inherited his little black book [LBB]. Mr Pargeter kept his business below the radar. Whenever Mrs Pargeter has an inquiry, she uses the LBB to contact the best
Somebody is on their last legs, and before they die, the want a few thrills: like committing murder! The villain make's a mistake when he or she sets their murderous intentions on Melita Pargeter.
I like this modern take on a senior amateur sleuth. Mrs P is a fascinating character. She has a strong moral code and a love for her late husband but she is not ready to retire from life. I will follow this series because I think it has potential.
The quality of the writing is good. The plot is interesting, and I like the diary entry approach for the murder's input. It is an entertaining light read that I would recommend.
Connect with me on Twitter:
Book Rating
Sexual Content: U
Language: U
Violent: U
Read the next one
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A magnificent read. A prominent example of the genre.
March 8, 2015
A nicely constructed mystery. I was kept guessing until the end, and enjoyed spending time with the protagonist, Mrs. Pargeter. I appreciate how the author never tells us exactly what the late Mr. Pargeter did for a living, but manages to give a fairly complete picture. I'm not big on reading series, but I might be tempted to pick up the next Mrs. Pargeter novel, just to see if the author can match the quality of this one.
September 26, 2022
Mrs Melita Pargeter, widow, has moved into the private hotel, Devereux Hotel in Littlehampton. But soon one of the residents is discovered dead but deemed an accident. But then another death occurs and so she decides to investigate
An entertaining and well-written cozy mystery. A good start to this series
Originally published in 1986
An entertaining and well-written cozy mystery. A good start to this series
Originally published in 1986
June 19, 2024
A seaside hotel in Britain for the genteel, that is the Devereaux, at least according to its proprietor. The new resident, Mrs. Pargeter, might have an interesting past which she doesn't discuss, but she seems wealthy, which is definitely a plus. Then one of the elderly residents dies from a fall--could she have been pushed? And when there's another death and a theft, the plot thickens. Someone isn't playing by the unwritten rules, and Mrs. Pargeter aims to find the culprit before it's too late.
September 18, 2023
Melita Pargeter might be on the upper side of 60 but she is not settling into dotage yet. A widow with a happy but slightly mysterious background, when she hears of a death in her seaside hotel, she can't help but investigate...
This had the friendliness and joie de vivre of the Mrs. Pollifax books, but without frequent kidnappings, and a different style of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed Mrs. Pargeter and liked Brett's writing style, so I'd love to seek out more in this series. The hints toward her background and connections are promising for plots with more scheming than usual in the cozy mystery genre. It had a very Murder, She Wrote feel to me. Maybe it was the 1980s, maybe it was the coastal setting, maybe it was the savvy sleuth, but I loved it.
This had the friendliness and joie de vivre of the Mrs. Pollifax books, but without frequent kidnappings, and a different style of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed Mrs. Pargeter and liked Brett's writing style, so I'd love to seek out more in this series. The hints toward her background and connections are promising for plots with more scheming than usual in the cozy mystery genre. It had a very Murder, She Wrote feel to me. Maybe it was the 1980s, maybe it was the coastal setting, maybe it was the savvy sleuth, but I loved it.
February 10, 2023
I enjoyed meeting 67 year old widowed Melita Pargeter, observant, perceptive and well instructed by her now deceased husband in the art of detective sleuthing. As she contemplates becoming a permanent guest at a beachside retirement hotel, Mrs. Pargeter finds herself investigating not one but two incidents occurring shortly after her arrival. One involves a jewel theft and the other is the mysteriously "accidental" deaths of two of the long-term hotel guests. Author of this mystery, Simon Brett, has created interesting characters in the hotel guests, manager and staff each with his own story and quirks. Mrs. Pargeter doesn't quite "fit in" with the established routines of the hotel. Simon Brett allows Mrs. Pargeter some humorous assessments of the other hotel guests, but as she gets closer to the truths regarding the deaths, she realizes her own safety is in jeopardy. Through her observations and clever sleuthing, Mrs. Pargeter is able to solve the problem of the jewel thefts, but her suspicions that the accidental deaths are really murders are more difficult to prove. Simon Brett includes within the book anonymous diary entries by the killer of which the reader is aware, but not Mrs. Pargeter and the reader is aware that, indeed, the presumed accidents were actually murders with the entries revealing to the reader the state of mind and the intentions of the killer. Mrs. Pargeter realizes foul play is definitely involved when she finds her atomizer has been tampered with poison and she is now wary and fearful. Through her sleuthing and observations, Mrs. Pargeter eliminates all but two of the residents as suspects - which one is it, or did the two work together? In the end, Mrs. Pargeter is being pursued on the isolated beach by the two whom she suspects are the murderers until an unexpected event occurs. She does not actually solve the crimes herself, as all is revealed to her when she finally is able to read the diary entries. It is Mrs. Pargeter's persistant sleuthing, or what the murderer calls her "meddling," and the unwillingness of the killer to harm his friend that cause is own "self contempt and hopelessness that murderers are supposed to feel." The murderer's diary is his confession and remorse. The decision to "let sleeping dogs lie" is made as no good can come from revealing the truth to the police. Life at the hotel resumes its routine, new guests arrive. and the residents continue to live their lives looking backward and not forward as they "spiral down to a genteel death." Mrs. Pargeter will have none of that as she is "not finished yet!" I am looking forward to her next adventure away from the beachside hotel.
August 28, 2023
Cosy mystery? So very cosy and slow that it sent me to sleep! In addition, the plot was terribly contrived and the ending most disappointing. I'm afraid I won't be looking out for more novels by this author. Not my cup of tea at all.
July 10, 2022
I really enjoyed it. The characters are interesting.
February 13, 2023
I liked that this whodunnit was set in a seaside hotel, made a change from the usual country house weekend party. Mrs Pargeter was an interesting character, not to be intimidated by the hotel proprietress Miss Naismith.
The plot and red herrings were clever and I'm sure a lot of readers felt that they had guessed the murderer correctly!
The book was published in the 80's but it had a 60's vibe to it. Or perhaps that's because a lot of seaside towns in Britain are old-fashioned. Reminded me of the Morrisey song "Everday is Like Sunday" !!
The plot and red herrings were clever and I'm sure a lot of readers felt that they had guessed the murderer correctly!
The book was published in the 80's but it had a 60's vibe to it. Or perhaps that's because a lot of seaside towns in Britain are old-fashioned. Reminded me of the Morrisey song "Everday is Like Sunday" !!
February 28, 2022
Solid mystery featuring the well-off sixty-seven-year old Melita Pargeter, a resident of the genteel Devereaux Hotel by the sea.
First published in 1986.
First published in 1986.
February 1, 2016
Being an old, retired lady, there's nothing I like more than to read about an older lady who's taking an interest in solving crimes. This was a great read, for my Mystery book club this month, with just that type of lady. Melita Pargeter is a widow who moves into the Devereux Hotel. She is the newest resident among a number of other retired folks who want to live out their lives in this respectable establishment near the sea. Her husband was obviously the love of her life but her memories make you wonder just exactly how "legal" his enterprises were. Nonetheless, he has left her well taken care of, with not only financial security but among other things a set of skeleton keys, binoculars and a long barrel gun that just fits in her handbag. During her very first night at the hotel, one of the residents ends up dead at the bottom of the stairs. Within days it's discovered that the deceased resident's jewelry was stolen and then another resident dies. Mrs. Pargeter takes an immediate interest in what's occurring and soon discovers she may actually be in danger herself. Just a great cozy read with a cast of great quirky characters. I think I actually suspected everyone at least once during the book. I'm anxious to read more of this series.
February 19, 2023
4.5 stars This was my first book by this author. Things I look for when starting a new series - an unusual type of setting, a strong lead character with enough background quirks or specialized knowledge to allow growth through the series, and interesting support characters. Simon Brett provided all of this in a cozy murder mystery set in a middle class English retirement hotel during the 1980’s. The main character, Mrs. Melita Pargeter, has a deep need to solve the crime committed at her new home after being accused of theft by management. Then, management decides to sweep the first crime under the rug and not call the police. This set Mrs. Pargeter on her crime solving agenda. I will let you discover more on your own about the specialized knowledge which helps her detective work. The other residents of the hotel will seem numerous at first, but they will quickly become straight in your mind due to their specific odd traits. I deducted half a star from a perfect review when I surmised the culprit quite early on. Otherwise, it is an enthralling quick read.
August 25, 2017
I loved it. I have read Simon Brett before, but not the Mrs Pargeter series. This was his first book in the series, and some did not care for it but I did! Loved the constant referral to "Mr. Pargeter suggestions" and the array of people he had previously arranged to look out for his wife after his demise. She's quite a character, and it was an easy and quick read.
October 2, 2018
A new favorite!
January 30, 2023
I am definitely in the Mrs. Pargeter camp! Thoroughly enjoyable read with just the right amount of suspense mixed with wry humor. I also loved the play on words in the title.
March 18, 2024
Having read other books by this author, I was eager to try this series. This book is a quick, easy read as not only short, the chapters are short, making it easy to just read one more.
Mrs Pargeter is a widow who is trying to find a pleasant place to spend her retirement years, so takes up residence in a seaside hotel, occupied by people who are looking for the same sort of place. We are not told what Mr Pargeter did for a living, but it would seem it was something that would have at least, been verging on crime. ( Maybe we find out in a later book.) However it did appear it was something that left Mrs Pargeter, more than a bit comfortably off. Mrs Pargeter does not quite conform to the hotel's rules, and right from the start one of the residents dies, in a fall down the stairs, which disturbers our character.
I found I was not able to pin down the murder, as I kept changing my mind. This definitely added to my enjoyment. I am more than willing to read on with this series.
Mrs Pargeter is a widow who is trying to find a pleasant place to spend her retirement years, so takes up residence in a seaside hotel, occupied by people who are looking for the same sort of place. We are not told what Mr Pargeter did for a living, but it would seem it was something that would have at least, been verging on crime. ( Maybe we find out in a later book.) However it did appear it was something that left Mrs Pargeter, more than a bit comfortably off. Mrs Pargeter does not quite conform to the hotel's rules, and right from the start one of the residents dies, in a fall down the stairs, which disturbers our character.
I found I was not able to pin down the murder, as I kept changing my mind. This definitely added to my enjoyment. I am more than willing to read on with this series.
March 25, 2023
I loved this story!! And I am already reading the second book in the series.
Mrs. Pargeter (I have no idea how to pronounce this name) is a widow of means who is exploring how to spend her senior years. She decides that a residential hotel on the seafront might be just the thing.
She and the manager immediately get along like chalk and cheese. Luckily Mrs Pargeter is completely unmotivated by being liked. She meets the other residents and settles in but her relaxation is quickly interrupted by a death. This is soon followed by a theft and another death.
Mrs. Pargeter has a background which is nebulously attached to the criminal element. So she has a certain set of skills that allow her to investigate with impunity.
There isn't a straight forward solution but a more nuanced one.
These books are set in the 1980s so no internet cell phones or other modern advantages
Mrs. Pargeter (I have no idea how to pronounce this name) is a widow of means who is exploring how to spend her senior years. She decides that a residential hotel on the seafront might be just the thing.
She and the manager immediately get along like chalk and cheese. Luckily Mrs Pargeter is completely unmotivated by being liked. She meets the other residents and settles in but her relaxation is quickly interrupted by a death. This is soon followed by a theft and another death.
Mrs. Pargeter has a background which is nebulously attached to the criminal element. So she has a certain set of skills that allow her to investigate with impunity.
There isn't a straight forward solution but a more nuanced one.
These books are set in the 1980s so no internet cell phones or other modern advantages
June 27, 2024
Pleasant cosy mystery set in a genteel hotel where elderly people live out their retirement. Mrs Pargeter, an unconventional widow, arrives at the Devereux and almost immediately one of the residents suffers a fatal fall. The general opinion is it must be an accident, but Mrs Pargeter is not so sure�
This was good fun, a quick and easy read with a touch of humour. Mrs Pargeter is a likeable and resourceful character with good sense and a sharp mind. There are hints that her late husband operated on the wrong side of the law, and it will be good to see this develop further. The plot was sound enough and the characters quite interesting, so I will read on in the series.
This was good fun, a quick and easy read with a touch of humour. Mrs Pargeter is a likeable and resourceful character with good sense and a sharp mind. There are hints that her late husband operated on the wrong side of the law, and it will be good to see this develop further. The plot was sound enough and the characters quite interesting, so I will read on in the series.
April 3, 2024
Nice simple mystery book
August 9, 2022
Not great literature, but 4 stars for the sheer enjoyment of this read.
July 20, 2020
Now that I've just retired, turned 65 and feeling a little anxiety about it all, what do I read, but a book about a group of dreary, sad, disconsolate old people in a genteel retirement "hotel" (the pretentious manager refuses to acknowledge or call it a nursing home because the minute a "guest" needs any kind of health care they are put out). In comes Mrs. Pargeter who does not fit the aristocratic or posh profile of the hotel and becomes, not only the breath of fresh air that sweeps the cobwebs away but the catalyst to murder and changes at the hotel. Mrs. Pargeter is a lively widow with an interesting "past" (the "late Mr. Pargeter" has to have been some sort of con man or criminal) who has been left quite comfortable and well-off. Because the manager Miss Naismith has a horror of scandal and publicity, the police are not called in or do not investigate too fully when one old woman falls down the stairs and another seems to take an overdose of sleeping medication by mistake but Mrs. Pargeter knows that there is more going on than accidents. She knows it's up to her to stop what could be a serial killer in their midst. The audio book I listened to was narrated by the author which made it extra enjoyable.
August 31, 2024
I began this book with a warm feeling that I was meeting once again with an old friend. I'm sure I have read some of these Mrs. Pargeter books and I really enjoy the character. Let's face it, what is there to not like about a festy 67-year-old woman whose dead husband had a shadowy past and from his experiences prepared her well for the types of investigations you just know she is going to run into.
This is the first in the series, so we are introduced to the character as she moves into a seniors 'hotel' � i.e., not quite a home but early on we see that it has become pretty regimented. Mrs. Pargeter doesn't do regimented and her investigation instincts come to the forefront when one of her fellow guests (opps � almost said inmates!) dies. While everyone else believes that it is an accident, Mrs. Pargeter knows it is not.
This is a funny, sharp cozy mystery that moves briskly and surely through its paces. And it's just plain fun to read. I found myself cheering for Mrs. Pargeter and, as I am nearly her age (ah hem ...), I like to think there is still a place for older women with charm, intelligence and determination. She takes no guff from anyone and its a pleasure to watch her in action.
This is the first in the series, so we are introduced to the character as she moves into a seniors 'hotel' � i.e., not quite a home but early on we see that it has become pretty regimented. Mrs. Pargeter doesn't do regimented and her investigation instincts come to the forefront when one of her fellow guests (opps � almost said inmates!) dies. While everyone else believes that it is an accident, Mrs. Pargeter knows it is not.
This is a funny, sharp cozy mystery that moves briskly and surely through its paces. And it's just plain fun to read. I found myself cheering for Mrs. Pargeter and, as I am nearly her age (ah hem ...), I like to think there is still a place for older women with charm, intelligence and determination. She takes no guff from anyone and its a pleasure to watch her in action.
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