A Private View (1952) (also known as One-Man Show and Murder Is an Art)

A Private View (also known as One-Man Show and Murder Is an Art) is the 13th Inspector Appleby mystery by Michael Innes. Originally published in 1952, this re-release from Agora Books 12 July, 2018 is available in ebook format. Other formats are available for previous releases of the book.

This plot manages to incorporate everything and the kitchen sink.  Murder, mayhem, big time art theft, espionage, more murder, archetypal murder-mystery-minor nobility (what? I say!), artsy bohemians, thugs, disappearing secondary characters and more.

I really enjoyed this one and finished it in a couple of sittings.  The writing hearkens back to a more classical golden age British mystery vibe. Even though the writing's on the very edge of being self indulgent and too sarcastic for its own good, it's gently written and wryly tongue-in-cheek.  I found it very appealing and I liked that Lady Appleby was very central to this plot.  She got a lot of good scenes. 

There were plot twists up to the very last page.

They don't make them like this any more, more's the pity.

Four stars.

Possibly worth noting for Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this release is avaible in the KU library. along with much of the author's oeuvre.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.