English country house mysteries of the 1920s are a subgenre of detective fiction that typically features a murder or crime that takes place in a grand manor house in the English countryside. This subgenre was popularized by writers such as Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Ngaio Marsh, and its popularity endured through the 1930s and 1940s.

The English country house mystery often features an amateur sleuth who is invited to the manor house as a guest, or who is a member of the family or staff. The setting is often an opulent and grand estate with a rich history and a cast of eccentric characters. The characters are usually from the upper classes and the story is set against the backdrop of the social conventions and mores of the time.

One of the defining characteristics of the English country house mystery is the closed circle of suspects. The murder often takes place in a room that is locked or inaccessible to outsiders, which creates a sense of claustrophobia and intensifies the tension. The suspects are often confined to the house, and the investigation is carried out within the confines of the estate. This creates a sense of confinement and isolation, which adds to the atmosphere of suspense.

The detective in an English country house mystery is often an outsider who is not part of the social elite. They are typically intelligent and methodical, and they use logical deduction to solve the crime. The detective is often a foil to the upper-class characters, who are portrayed as naive and superficial. The detective often uncovers the hidden motives and secrets of the suspects, which ultimately leads to the solution of the crime.

One of the most famous examples of the English country house mystery is Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, which was published in 1926. The novel features Hercule Poirot, an eccentric Belgian detective, who is called in to investigate the murder of a wealthy man in his country house. The novel was groundbreaking for its use of the unreliable narrator, which added an extra layer of complexity to the mystery.

Another famous example of the English country house mystery is Dorothy L. Sayers’ The Nine Tailors which was published in 1934. The novel features Lord Peter Wimsey, an amateur detective, who is called in to investigate a series of thefts and murders in a remote village in the English countryside. The novel is notable for its intricate plotting and its vivid descriptions of the English countryside.

English country house mysteries of the 1920s are an enduring and beloved subgenre of detective fiction. They offer readers an escape into a world of opulence, intrigue, and suspense, while also providing a commentary on the social and cultural mores of the time. The legacy of writers like Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers continues to inspire new generations of readers and writers alike.

You can get lost in a whole host of newly collected English country house mysteries in Murder at the Manor edited by Martin Edwards.

The English country house is an iconic setting for some of the greatest British crime fiction. This new collection gathers together stories written over a span of about 65 years, during which British society, and life in country houses, was transformed out of all recognition. It includes fascinating and unfamiliar twists on the classic ‘closed circle’ plot, in which the assorted guests at a country house party become suspects when a crime is committed. In the more sinister tales featured here, a gloomy mansion set in lonely grounds offers an eerie backdrop for dark deeds.

Many distinguished writers are represented in this collection, including such great names of the genre as Anthony Berkeley, Nicholas Blake and G.K. Chesterton. Martin Edwards has also unearthed hidden gems and forgotten masterpieces: among them are a fine send-up of the country house murder; a suspenseful tale by the unaccountably neglected Ethel Lina White; and a story by the little-known Scottish writer J.J. Bell.

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