Weekend at Thrackley by Alan Melville (1934)

Weekend at Thrackley by Alan Melville (1934)

April 3, 2024

6–8 minutes

Alan Melville, Book Review, British Library Crime Classics, TBR, Weekend at Thrackley

Mysterious recluse Edwin Carson is throwing a house party at his newly renovated mansion, Thrackley, to celebrate his return to England after a long sojourn in the English colonies. All of the invited guests, save for one, have one thing in common: rare jewels, which they are asked to bring to delight their host, who is a notorious collector of rare gems. Invited guests, save for one, have one thing in common: rare jewels, which they are asked to bring to delight their host.

The only guest without a precious piece, in young Jim Henderson, ex-soldier, who is drifting through life at an out of the way boarding house, while unemployed. The little savings he spends on going to a modest cocktail club and hanging out with his wealthy and carefree friends. When he and a friend receive a letter from Carson, Henderson cannot fathom why he should be included. His letter is cryptic, saying that Carson is a friend of Jim’s father. Intrigued but apprehensive, Henderson packs a borrowed evening suit and a revolver, and with a strong determination, he is set to enjoy a free weekend of food and drink.

Thrackley, surrounded by thick pine trees on all sides, is completely secluded. Carson, the ugly bug of a man, and his equally dangerous butler seem to be playing a part. The only respite for Henderson is Carson’s beautiful, but terrified daughter, Mary.

The weekend begins as all country house parties do with sumptuous suppers and a flowing bridge, but soon turns sour when Carson reveals why he has gathered them all there: to plunder them of their jewels. They are locked into this remote fortress, surrounded by an electrified fence, one of the guests, the brusque social organizer, Catherine Lady Stone has been kidnapped and stowed away in the bowels of the elaborate house. An uncover policeman, who is in the household, is their only hope of contacting the outside world until he is discovered and brutally dispatched.

Their every movement is watched, and the house is awash in hidden microphones and booby traps; it’s up to Henderson, Catherine Lady Stone, and Mary to use their brains, brawn, and luck to formulate a plan of escape and somehow capture or kill Edwin Carson before he flees England again.

The Review

Weekend at Thrackley is a sort of spiritual successor to The Crime at Black Dudley, but it has the added bonus of not having the protagonist be a silly ass. Jim Henderson, rudderless at the beginning of the book, is a brave, capable, and quick-thinking soldier who rallies the guests into action against Carson.

However, he is not the sole mover and shaker of the story; Catherine Lady Stone gets kidnapped, is rescued, and attempts escape many times throughout the book. She’s resourceful and comic; even when she’s down, she’s not out.

Another main force in the book is Carson’s daughter, Mary, who is quiet and unobtrusive enough to slip through her father’s clutches. She puts her own devious plan into action and ultimately is a major reason for Carson’s downfall.

These three characters do the lion’s share of the planning and committing of hijinks in the story, and two people called the Brampton’s are effectively sidelined. This uneven distribution of characterization and action is a slight flaw, but it is negligible in light of my overall enjoyment of the story.

At various times, there are two or even three escape plans being executed simultaneously, and a lot of tension is built into the book because you never know if a) one of the plans will work, b) one of the principal characters will end up dead- Carson is quite ruthless, or c) the plans will end up working towards cross purposes and get the hostages into a bigger muddle.

The story also contains a lovely romance that blossoms between Mary and Henderson. It also has a rather lecherous subplot in which Carson tries to seduce one of his guests and takes her to a seedy motel. Love vs. sex appeal is a rather interesting theme and quirk in Carson’s psychology, which runs throughout Weekend at Thrackley.

One of the more minor mysteries in the book is Henderson’s relationship with Carson which is shrouded in the past. I won’t spoil it here, but it’s rather obvious, but adds a nice layer to the story.

Weekend at Thrackley, however, shines brightest in two areas: the competition and utter delight Alan Melville had in creating this mousetrap of a house. Secret upon secret is used to great effect to hide cargo and people and, of course, create ways of escape and capture. It’s a real delight seeing everyone race around, destroying rooms, and generally causing mayhem.

The other titan aspect of this book is the writing. I’ve never read anything like Melville’s work. It’s funny and madcap without being too broad or slapstick. The characters leap off the page with colorful and theatrical reactions. However, anytime anyone gets too maudlin or a stitch too much, they are put in their place, by a placed barb from another character. He is really wonderful at writing dialogue between characters. There’s a the usual Wodehousian patter from Henderson’s best friend, but he is often checked by Henderson’s redoubtable pragmatism.

Weekend at Thrackley feels akin to a stage play comedy. Its primary purpose is to entertain and to delight, which is done to a marvelous degree. There’s action, adventure, love, swashbuckling, hijinks, and of course murder.

I highly recommend Weekend at Thrackley.

Alan Melville Biography

Alan Melville (1910–1983) was a British playwright, author, and broadcaster, best known for his contributions to the world of entertainment, including theater, radio, and television. Born Alan Hugh Melville Ramsay on April 9, 1910, in Berwickshire, Scotland, he later adopted the surname Melville professionally.

Melville began his career as a playwright, writing successful comedies for the stage in the 1930s and 1940s. His witty dialogue and knack for humor made his works popular with audiences. One of his most notable plays is “Castle in the Air” (1949), a farcical comedy set in a hotel, which enjoyed a successful run in London’s West End.

In addition to his work in the theater, Melville was also involved in radio broadcasting, where he became known for his distinctive voice and comedic timing. He wrote and performed in numerous radio programs, including sketch shows and panel games, further solidifying his reputation as a humorist.

Melville’s talent extended to television as well, where he wrote scripts for various comedy series and appeared as a panelist on game shows. His wit and charm made him a popular figure on the small screen during the early years of television in Britain.

Apart from his theatrical and broadcasting endeavors, Melville also authored several novels, often incorporating elements of humor and satire. While not as well-known as his plays and broadcasting work, his novels showcase his skill as a storyteller and humorist.

Alan Melville continued to work in the entertainment industry until his death on January 23, 1983. He is remembered for his wit, creativity, and contributions to British comedy across various mediums.