The Albert Gate Mystery

This is the second book by the author I've read, the first one being the latest one in Manybooks' catalogue, "A Mysterious Disappearance", while this one is the earliest one.
It isn't as fun and as fast-paced as the other one and the main character seems a bit too dull in comparison.
On the contrary, the plot consists of only one argumental line, not overly interesting, and the story advances slowly, sometimes there are good unforseen twists and turns, but mostly the action just offers an almost mechanical succession of small complications and their solutions.
The author is obviously a fan of Émile Gaboriau, the creator of the first deductionist detective, LeCocq, who was the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes.
The author mentions frequently Gaboriau and LeCocq, and it seems that he also tries to imitate the French writer's narrative style, too XIX century for my taste, but he lacks Gaboriau's passion that would let him fill pages with more drama than action.
As a result, the story is too short and the novel too lengthy.

Foreign emissaries murdered, priceless diamonds stolen, and a high ranking member of the British Foreign Office has gone missing. What does it all mean? Reginald Brett, barrister and detective, is on the case. I liked it - lots of action and very entertaining. Things unravel a bit during a goofy ending, so 4 stars instead of 5.

Reggie Brett, barrister turned detective, is on the job again in this thoroughly excellent mystery/thriller. This time he's on the trail of a murderous group of diamond thieves and a missing Foreign Office secretary, which takes him from London to Paris, Marseilles and Palermo. I liked this one even more than the first Brett book, "The Stowmarket Mystery." The criminals are clever, the stakes are high and the action rapid and exciting.

(1904) Mystery / Detective


R: * * * *


Plot bullets

Fifty one diamonds, from a foreign Prince's collection, are stolen at Albert Gate.
Several men are killed.
The man responsible for bringing the jewels to England to be cut, is also missing.
Reginald Brett, Barrister and notable detective, is put on the case.
There are at least two mysteries. Where are the jewels and was the missing man, a victim or participant in the crime?
It's off to Europe to find the solution.

In this classic mystery amateur detective Brett tries to solve the mystery of the murder of 4 Turks and the theft of priceless diamonds belonging to the sultan of Turkey. In his quest to find the answers he is helped by some friends. Before he finds out the truth there are a lot of chases, disguises, and journeys through the UK, France and Sicily. On his journeys he encounters master-criminals, a beautiful French adventuress and lots of small criminals.

This book has a fast pace and is nice read. It is not a great, but it\'s a fun, lighthearted read. There are some non-Politically Correct remarks in this book about Turkish, French, English and Scottish people.

Pretty good read!

If you are looking for some light entertainment, this book might fill the bill. This is a fast moving, action packed adventure. It features heroic, handsome, brilliant, fearless smarty-pants barrister-amateur detective Simon Brett. (Tracy assures us that Brett is the greatest amateur detective of his generation.) The book moves along at a quick pace as Brett and his friends chase diamond thieves in Europe. This is not a great mystery, or a great book in any sense, but it is fun. And, by the end of the book I found I kind of liked Simon Brett - in spite of myself.

I like Reginald Brett. I also liked the Stowmarket Mystery in which he showed off his Sherlockian powers. I wish that there were more Brett books available. This one is definitely worth reading. It keeps you turning the pages and never bores! Enjoy.