THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER IN A BRAND NEW EDITION 'Enchanting...the most engagingly boffiny book imaginable.' Spectator Does Becky kill Jos at the end of Vanity Fair? Why does no one notice that Hetty is pregnant in Adam Bede? How, exactly, does Victor Frankenstein make his monster? Readers of Victorian fiction often find themselves tripping up on seeming anomalies, enigmas and mysteries in their favourite novels. In Is Heathcliff a Murderer? John Sutherland investigates 34 conundrums of nineteenth-century fiction, paying homage to the most rewarding of critical activities: close reading and the pleasures of good-natured pedantry

'Wonderful...concise, witty, effortlessly learned.' Sunday Times How does Magwitch swim to shore with a great iron on his leg? Where does Fanny Hill keep her contraceptives? Whose side is Hawkeye on? And how does Clarissa Dalloway get home so quickly? In this new edition sequel to the enormously successful Is Heathcliff a Murderer?, John Sutherland plays literary detective and investigates 32 literary conundrums, ranging from Daniel Defoe to Virginia Woolf. As in its universally loved predecessor, the questions and answers are ingenious and convincing, and return the reader with new respect to the great novels that inspire them.

In Who Betrays Elizabeth Bennet? John Sutherland unravels 34 literary puzzles in a sequel to his bestselling works Is Heathcliff a Murderer? and Can Jane Eyre Be Happy?. As well as exploring new conundrums Professor Sutherland revisits some previous puzzles with the help of readers who offertheir own ingenious solutions, and set fresh posers for investigation. Victorian drug habits, railway systems, sanitation and dentistry are only a few of the areas that shed light on the motives and circumstances of some of literature's most famous characters: Elizabeth Bennet, Betsey Trotwood, Count Dracula, Anna Karenina, Alice and many more come under the spotlightin John Sutherland's highly entertaining collection. 'Sutherland puts humanity and the human, logic and curiosity, back into criticism . . . His respect for the realism of texts inspires, inspirits and delights.' Valentine Cunningham

A 1920s Murder Mystery in the depths of rural Yorkshire A scoundrel lies dying, he makes his confession; his sins were despicable and he wants to atone for his wasted life. He bequeaths an invaluable gift to Monks Hood Abbey, an ancient monastery set in a lonely corner of the Yorkshire moors. But sin throws a long shadow and corruption crawls in its shade. Strangers come forward and lay claim to the monks' inheritance. The Abbot calls on Major Heathcliff Lennox and ex-Chief Inspector Swift to ask for their help. They must go to Yorkshire to unravel the mayhem - but then there's mystery, and murder, and another adventure begins. Major Heathcliff Lennox, ex-WW1 war pilot, six feet 3 inches, unruly dark blond hair, age around 30 - named after the hero of Wuthering Heights by his romantically minded mother - much to his great annoyance. The Monks Hood Murders is the fifth book in the Lennox series.

Downton Abbey meets Agatha Christie with a touch of Wodehouse and a dog of distinction. Who killed Sir Crispin Gibbons? A wedding invitation and news of mischief that could be murder, takes Lennox to The Earl of Bloxford's country pile. He soon finds himself in a world of purloined artworks, forgeries and a priceless Bloxford Beauty. But who are the Bloxford Beauties? And why are they the focal point around which swirls death?Lennox must confront life-long friends, unscrupulous artists and dealers to finally unravel a plot so complex that even his Scotland yard friend Jonathan Swift, is befuddled.

'Murder, mystery and a dog of distinction. Heathcliff Lennox investigates.' Ladies man, dandy, charming rogue, thief. Montague Morgan has a buccaneering reputation and he doesn't give a damn - until he falls in love. He has a plan, he needs money and he knows how to get it. He and his lover conspire to escape to exotic lands with stolen gold. But the gold belongs to dangerous people and plans can go awry. Morgan disappears, has he escaped, or has he fallen prey to lethal retribution? Lennox's friend, ex Chief Inspector Swift is embroiled, and Lennox steps in to help, but his wedding is fixed for Christmas Eve and it's only a few days away. As the mystery around Montague Morgan deepens, so the tension rises... Major Heathcliff Lennox - ex WW1 war pilot, 6feet 3inch, tousled dark blond hair, age around 30 - named after the hero of Wuthering Heights by his romantically minded mother - much to his great annoyance.

A 1920s Murder Mystery - Death in the desert with intrigue, adventure and a dog of distinction.' There's a damsel in distress and accusations of attempted murder flying around, but it's not in the comfortable confines of the English countryside, it's in the very distant city of Damascus. Lennox must go and investigate, although he's not too keen on exotic locations, and his old retainer, Greggs is distinctly averse to the very idea. Nevertheless, ex-Chief Inspector Swift persuades them and they reach the ancient city to discover a movie crew, a spy and a couple of mysterious ladies. Nobody seems to be telling the truth, they all have secrets, and there's one secret in particular that's drawn them like bees to the honeypot. But what is it? And then there's murder, and mysteries from the ancient past, and a handsome Sheik who remains in the shadows. Heathcliff Lennox and Swift must investigate and use all their ingenuity to unravel the enigma that lies hidden in the dusty streets of ancient Damascus. Major Heathcliff Lennox, ex-WW1 war pilot, six feet 3 inches, unruly dark blond hair, age around 30 - named after the hero of Wuthering Heights by his romantically minded mother - much to his great annoyance. Death in Damascus is the fourth book in the Lennox series. amazon reviewsKindle Customer Sally Hutcheson 5 starsExcellent Mystery. Don't pick up unless you have time to read it all She does not give away "who done it" until the very end and it still makes sense. I love her characters and hopes she finds time to write a lot more books. Kindle Customer 5 starsFast paced mystery. Very well written and fast paced. A very good page turner. Did not see the end coming. Highly recommend this series. I read book three before this in error which led to a small bit of confusion but no real problem. Kindle CustomerKathryn Loewenstein What fun this book was! Delightful story...kept me laughing at times and thoroughly entertained. Really if one wants an entertaining mystery, this is it! Hope everyone will enjoy this book as much as I did! Cat100 5 starsTerrific cozy English house mystery!I absolutely loved this book! It was really hard to put down. The characters were all so great. I can't get enough of the old fashioned English house party mystery. Kindle Customer 5 starsAn Agatha or Dorothy Sayres style that I thought went out of fashion In these days Well done, satisfying, wanting the next one! I will heartedly recommend. Puzzle without gore, depressive scenes, or bodily fluids. Well done! Vicki Oliver 5 starsWell done latest mystery with Heathcliff Lennox Karen Baugh Menuhin's mystery with WWI veteran Heathcliff Lennox is perfect for fans of traditional detective mysteries. The waning life of post-war England is spot on--the loyal servants, some of whom served as bat men in the war, the ambiance of old crumbling manor houses the dialogue--all make the book a delightful read. Mr. Fogg, Lennox's sweet dog, is joined by Mr. Tubbs, an orphaned cat. Inspector Swift re-appears, much to both men's dismay. Ms. Menuhin has a way of incorporating touches of Downton Abbey with war details along with humor. I read this book via Kindle Unlimited but have added it permanently to my library for re-reading again (and again).

Murder, mystery and a dog of distinction. Heathcliff Lennox investigates. A suspicious accident, a dead man's gun and a lost tomb. Strange events disturb the peace of Lanscombe Park, the magnificent country seat of Lord Godolphin Sinclair. Adventurer, gold prospector and arms dealer, Sinclair has spent a lifetime amassing a fortune with ruthless determination. He's a man frightened of nothing, until he receives a package from the distant past. Someone knows his secrets, they kill, and then they kill again. A game of cat and mouse is afoot, Major Heathcliff Lennox and ex Inspector Swift are called to Lanscombe Park to investigate.

A haunted castle, a murder mystery, a touch of humour and a dog of distinction