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Toll the bell for murder

Toll the bell for murder

CrimeMystery
Pages
206
Published
1959
Language
English

Synopsis

In the eerie silence of the Isle of Man's curraghs, a loud explosion and the violent ringing of a church bell shatter the night. The Vicar, Sullivan Lee, is found praying beside the murdered body of Sir Martin Skollick, with a fired sporting gun nearby. Scotland Yard's Superintendent Littlejohn is called to investigate, uncovering the victim's past misdeeds, enemies, and romantic entanglements to solve the mystery that began with the tolling bell.

Prose complexity
4/10

Vibe

TenseAtmospheric
Locked RoomMystery Box

Genres

Crime Mystery Police Procedural

About the author

G
George Bellairs

The pen name of Harold Blundell, a British detective novelist. Harold Blundell was a prominent banker and philanthropist from Manchester with close connections to the University of Manchester. He was born in Lancashire and married Gwladys Mabel Roberts in 1930. Over a span of forty years, Blundell as Bellairs wrote over fifty novels in his spare time. He was best known for his popular series featuring gruff, pipe-smoking Detective Inspector Thomas Littlejohn. His books are set at a time when t...

Characters

Superintendent LittlejohnProtagonist
Sir Martin SkollickAntagonist
Sullivan LeeSupporting
Archdeacon KinradeSupporting
Inspector KnellSupporting
All characters in Toll the bell for murder

Frequently asked questions

  • Do I need to read the other Inspector Littlejohn books first?

    This novel is part of a long-running series featuring Superintendent Littlejohn, but it functions as a self-contained mystery that can be read independently without prior knowledge of the character's history.

  • How does the author's background influence the setting?

    George Bellairs was a bank manager who retired to the Isle of Man, and his personal familiarity with the island's geography and local atmosphere is reflected in the detailed, authentic sense of place found throughout this story.