Golden Age of Detective Fiction

The Lake District Murder novel follows Superintendent William Meredith on his first case as he investigates the apparent suicide of a garage owner. There are a few clues that the suicide might be staged, such as the man’s hands being immaculate when they should have been dirtied in setting up the suicide (He’s a garage man after). He also set the table for dinner and even put the kettle on, which had boiled dry for the housekeeper to find later. As Meredith investigates, he uncovers a smuggling case and a ring of thieves the man was trying to leave so he could marry and start a new life.

The Review

While I agree with the British Crime Classics introduction that John Bude is a great mystery writer, The Lake District Murder is my least favorite work I’ve read by him. An unusually ponderous and sluggish investigation dulls Bude’s buoyant prose and lively Inspector that would evolve in later books in this series.

The police spend most of the book stumped. Meredith’s confused plodding is much more in line with Inspector French of a Freeman Wills Crofts novel, which surprised me, given that The Death on the Riviera‘s plot also involves busting criminal gangs. Meredith quickly deduces the ways they are smuggling with much wit and humor. In The Lake District Murder, there’s no need for Meredith’s charm, wit, or frank resourcefulness. He’s a colorless flatfoot on a job.

None of the other characters take up the void made by Meredith. They are all fine in their roles, but nothing distinguishes them. They were so bland that I frequently got tired and bored with the book, having to re-read passages to remind myself who everyone was. They are well-written. There’s just nothing that defines them.

One of John Bude’s defining pillars of his storytelling is his ability to transport readers who have never been to where he’s set his books. Usually, his books are described in some way by their setting, and I didn’t find this to be the case with The Lake District Murder because this crime could have taken place anywhere. While there were some pretty descriptions of the Lake District, they are not so central to the book that they warrant being the title. Again, this feature that I associate so strongly with John Bude’s book seems to come into focus as the series goes on, but it is still surprising given that The Cornish Coast Murder, also published in 1935, is defined by the Cornish Coast. Without it, there would be no solution to the mystery.

Overall, The Lake District Murder is fine; you won’t remember anything about it once you close the book. You’ll have an okay time with Meredith, and the mystery is not too taxing, but if I were to recommend a mystery by Bude, this would not be my first choice.

John Bude Reviews

The Cornish Coast Murder (1935)

The Cheltenham Square Murder (1937)

Death on The Riviera (1952)