Description
To Love and Be Wise
Book Summary
An exclusive party of artists is not the ideal plan for Inspector Alan Grant of Scotland Yard. However, when his friend, the actress Marta Hallard, asks him to accompany her to a literary soirée hosted by the famous writer Lavinia Fitch, he cannot refuse. There, he is impressed by the enigmatic and handsome Leslie Searle, a young American photographer invited to Lavinia's country house in the small village of Salcott St. Mary. Days later, Leslie disappears without a trace. Drowning? Murder? Or has he decided to vanish? With wit, humor, and keen psychology, Josephine Tey offers us a sophisticated new case for Inspector Grant.
What is it about?
The plot unfolds in the idyllic and seemingly peaceful village of Salcott St. Mary, a haven for the London bohemian scene. Inspector Alan Grant finds himself immersed in the disappearance of the attractive photographer Leslie Searle, a young man who stirs equal parts admiration and envy. Through interviews with the eccentric guests and locals, Grant must unravel the truth: whether the young man has suffered an accident, been the victim of a crime, or simply decided to disappear of his own volition. The investigation becomes an exercise in observation and psychological analysis, where appearances are deceiving and every character holds a secret.
Main themes
- The investigation of a disappearance in a rural and artistic setting.
- The contrast between the bohemian life of artists and police routine.
- The psychology of characters and the construction of identities.
- Mystery and uncertainty as driving forces of the plot.
- Social critique through British humor and irony.
Who is it recommended for?
For lovers of classic detective novels and parlor mysteries, with a focus on character psychology and high-society settings. It is ideal for readers who enjoy cerebral plots, witty dialogue, and a measured but absorbing pace, similar to that of Agatha Christie or Dorothy L. Sayers.
What this book offers
- An intelligent and well-constructed mystery plot, centered on the disappearance of an enigmatic character.
- A sharp and humorous portrait of the artistic and literary community of the era.
- The opportunity to follow the investigations of a charismatic inspector, Alan Grant, in a case that challenges his intuition.
- An entertaining and sophisticated read that combines suspense with reflection on human nature.
Technical specifications
- Author: TEY, JOSEPHINE
- Publisher: HOJA DE LATA EDITORIAL
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION, CRIME AND MYSTERY GENRE
- Collection: SENSIBLES A LAS LETRAS
- Publication date: July 2021
- Number of pages: 287
- Weight: 530 g
Editorial review
This work by Josephine Tey, one of the great ladies of British mystery, offers a reading experience that goes beyond a simple puzzle. The author combines a disappearance plot with keen observation of human relationships and bohemian life. Inspector Alan Grant, an already established character, faces a case that puts his deductive capacity to the test in an environment of appearances and secrets. It is a recommended novel for those seeking a classic, well-written mystery with a touch of irony and psychological depth.