Wednesday, the 29th of March, and time for Shelf Control once again! Shelf Control is a weekly feature created by Lisa at Bookshelf Fantasies, and celebrates the books waiting to be read on your TBR piles/mountains. Since early January 2023, Shelf Control has moved base here to Literary Potpourri. To participate, all you do is pick a book from your TBR pile, and write a post about it–what it’s about, when/where you got it, why you want to read it and such. If you participate, don’t forget to share your links in the comments. I’ll check out your picks of course, and also add you to the list of participants in this post.
For today’s shelf control pick I’m back to my pile of classic crime fiction with a title by an author I’ve been meaning to read but have not managed to so far. John Bude was the pen name of Ernest Elmore, English theatre producer, writer as well as novelist who wrote both crime fiction and fantasy. Born in Kent in 1901, Elmore studied at Mill Hill School and attended secretarial college, before going on to become games master at St Christopher’s School. He wrote over 30 crime novels besides other works for adults and children.
Death on the Riviera (1952) is the fourth in the Inspector Meredith series of books and sees the Inspector sent to the Mediterranean when a counterfeit currency racket comes to light. As he begins to track forger and crook Chalky Cobett with Inspector Blampignon, his counterpart in Nice, they come upon the Villa Paloma. This is the residence of an eccentric Englishwoman, Nesta Hedderwick whose houseguests include her niece, an architect and a playboy. The stage is set for murder in the book which combines deft plotting with humour!
Sounds like just my kind of read–a golden age mystery, eccentric characters, humour and a lovely setting in the Mediterranean! This one seems to have rated fairly well with Goodreads and blog friends who’ve read it (also my mother) which makes me all the more interested to read it. I do have the first couple of Inspector Meredith books waiting on my TBR as well, so I might just end up starting with those before I move on to this one.
What do you think? Have you read any book by Bude before? Which one/s and how did you find it/them?
If you’re joining in this week, do leave your links in the comments below and I’ll add you to the list of participants!
Cover image and book description via Goodreads; author information via Wikipedia
This week’s participants
Literary Potpourri 
I read this one back in 2017 and loved it – I do enjoy Bude’s mysteries and this one really captured the setting well too!
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Glad to hear that; the setting especially appeals. I know my mother’s read a few and enjoyed them, and this one rated well with her too.
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I’ve read some of his other mysteries but not this one – it sounds a great escape!
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I thought so too 🙂
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I love the time period and setting! I hope you enjoy this one, Mallika
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The setting is really tempting me to pick this one up first!
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I’ve read short stories by Bude (in the British Library Crime Classics compilations books) and on the strength of them (and because I’m obsessed with the BLCC collection), have purchased six of his novels to read. This is one of them, so I’ll be interested in seeing what you think if you read it first!
Here’s mine for the week:
https://gypsireads.blogspot.com/2023/03/shelf-control-penelope-fitzgerald.html
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That IS encouraging to hear. Makes me want to pick up Bude as soon as I can manage!
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I quite enjoyed this one – following on from our Wodehouse talk, Meredith’s temporary sidekick in this one is another delightfully Wodehousian character. My favourite Bude to date, though, is Death in White Pyjamas which is set among theatre people – always good fun in a mystery, I think!
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Glad to hear that. Always wonderful to have a Wodehousian character. I’ll make note of Death in White Pyjamas as well!
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This reminds me of when Maigret travels to the French Mediterranean, away from the smoke and greyness of Paris or elsewhere in northern Europe, and is treated to the vibrancy and colour of the Midi while still pursuing his customary quiet observations. I wonder if Meredith has the same sense of doggedly investigating despite the change of environment? Sounds fun, anyway!
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It does, doesn’t it? I’m hoping to finally get to Bude this year (fingers crossed).
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I’ve yet to read John Bude’s. Ah… as always, so many books I wish to read, yet so little time!
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Same here Fanda, I have piles and piles waiting but then I get greedy and take more review copies which have to be attended to first!
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I’m joining the chorus of those who like the Bude books and this one was fun with Meredith being in a different environment and adjusting to it, and if I’m remembering correctly even getting in a bit of relaxation. Enjoy!
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It does sound very enjoyable. I hope I can fit it in soon.
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