Although The Naked Nuns by Colin Watson is a mystery, it is also a very humorous story. We follow a feud that exists between two Flaxborough, England, businessmen, Harry Crispin and Arnold Hatch as they play out revenge scenarios on each other. As the revenge gets more creative we can see that their jealousy of each other could easily be leading toward murder.

Before the end of the book, we have anonymous letters arriving that speak of naked nuns and a murder, the deliberate sinking of a pleasure cruiser boat, an American Mafia gangster coming to the small town, and some elaborate mayhem during a Medieval Banquet, and finally, the discovery of a body. All that’s left is for the police to put all the pieces together and arrest the murderer.

Naked Nuns unfolds in a witty and funny manner. I didn’t mind that the murder didn’t happen until late in the book, I was enjoying the red herrings that the author set and being introduced to some strange and interesting characters. I have a feeling that I may have read this book many years ago as I knew pretty much from page one who the murderer was, nevertheless I found this book to be quite engaging and enjoyable. ( )

mystery of modern middle class England, rare stamps in title

There is a rivalry between businessmen Henry Crispin and Arnold Hatch. Nothing too outstanding, however, until a dead body is found. On the job are DI Purbright and Sergeant Love. Whether or not the murder has to do with the gentlemen, or the new man on the town. Then there is the curious telegram from America referring to naked nuns. DI Purbright and DS Love are feverishly struggling to expose the nefarious acts while trying to restore calm to the what should be the lovely town of Flaxborough.

With an excellent cast of characters, a terrific mystery and an excellent bite of British humor, this is an excellent part of the series. It may seem odd to mention, but when reading English authors like Watson, who have a powerful control of language, it makes the books more enjoyable. Especially since I am reading these review titles on my Kindle and can simply click unfamiliar words that I can add to my own vocabulary.

Many thanks to Farrago and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. ( )

"The Naked Nuns" and "Broomsticks over Flaxborough" are probably the two least interesting and effective of the Flaxborough series. Here Mr. Wilson pokes fun at social climbing, money-based competition, and business analysts. The murder plot is not interesting as there is only one person who could have done the deed.

This book is worth reading only if you wish to be able to say that you read the whole series. Otherwise, no.

I received a review copy of "The Naked Nuns: Flaxborough Mystery #8) by Colin Watson (Farrago) through NetGalley.com. ( )

When a concerned citizen comes to Detective Inspector Purbright with a cryptic letter that could imply almost anything, Purbright is stumped as to what is meant by the "naked nuns" about to arrive. Then the police in New York receive a letter that implies a crime is about to occur in the town of Flaxborough, England, they forward the letter onto them. DI Purbright tells Chief Constable Chubb that nothing can be done until they find the person who is going to commit the crime, and hopefully the victim also. Then Arnold Hatch receives a letter apparently written by the same person intimating that he will soon be the victim of this crime. When he takes it to Purbright, they now have the victim, but are unsure of who is going to commit the crime...

Miss Lucy Teatime, meanwhile, receives a visit from a brash American who claims that her distant relative said to look her up and ask for her help. He tells her only that a crime is going to be committed and he's trying to prevent it. While he doesn't say so, Miss Teatime is positive he is one of those "American gangsters," or at least was one at one time...

While Purbright and his policemen try and figure out what the cryptic letters mean, Henry Crispin is planning on getting even with Hatch for destroying his boat. On the night of one of Hatch's revelries at his Floradora Club, Crispin has designed a plan of revenge of his own, and he doesn't realize that it will mask a murder about to take place.

It is only when a matter of coincidence occurs in Purbright's presence that all will be made clear as to what everything means...

While this book does begin a little slow, it leads into a plan that takes time to form. The characters are introduced, and the red herrings begin. While Purbright is seeking nuns - naked or otherwise - that may have drifted into his town (for what else could the letters mean?) life goes on pretty much as it should, but with Hatch growing ever more impatient and angry as he believes his life may very well be at stake.

The clues are well hidden in this little mystery, which has been reissued from its original date yet still remains quite a gem. Anyone who has read the previous Flaxborough mysteries will recognize some of the characters from those books (they drift in and out) of which we have become fond. I do love to watch Purbright go through the motions, as it were - while his chief thinks he is unambitious, he may very well be so; but he is an intelligent man who is able to take the clues and put them together nicely.

This book is no different than any of the others I have read. I have become quite fond of DI Purbright and the others in this town; even Miss Teatime - whom I wouldn't trust any farther than I could see her - has grown on me.

When the ending comes and everything is put together it comes as a complete surprise. In fact, it is only a matter of a chance meeting that puts it all together for Purbright himself. A delightful ending to an engaging mystery. Recommended. ( )