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Book Reviews of Murder Must Wait - A Napoleon Bonaparte Mystery

Murder Must Wait A Napoleon Bonaparte Mystery
Author: Arthur W. Upfield
ISBN: 202923
Publication Date: 11/1963
Pages: 176
Rating:
  • Currently 2.8/5 Stars.
 2

2.8 stars, based on 2 ratings
Publisher: Berkeley Medallion
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Write a Review

Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

kerriganm avatar reviewed Murder Must Wait - A Napoleon Bonaparte Mystery on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Mr. Upfield attempts to shine a favorable light on Australian aborigines, but the book has a bit of a jaded feel about it. Not surprising for a book first published in 1953 and dealing, as least tangentially, in race relations.

Babies are being kidnapped from out of their cribs, and local police have had to resort to a specialist. This detective, improbably named Napoleon Bonaparte, has almost superhuman powers of observation and tracking because of his half-aborigine heritage. He calls in a female officer- who has "all the gifts the job demanded", including being a master of jujitsu- because he wants an expert in babies.

An interesting slice of place and history, but I found its dated feel a bit unpleasant. The detective is apparently flawless and engenders the admiration of all around him, which is another thing I find tiresome in a story. I like my detectives with discernible flaws.