June Thomson - To Make A Killing

I came across To Make a Killing while exploring H. R. F. Keating's list of the 100 best crime novels. Although June Thomson is best known for her Inspector Finch series, this novel seems to have slipped into relative obscurity today.

The story is a traditional English mystery set in the art world. An elderly, infirm painter and his devoted wife become the center of attention when an art gallery owner discovers his work and proposes an exhibition. Before long, however, murder shatters the quiet atmosphere and Inspector Finch is called in to investigate.

The build-up to the first murder requires a bit of patience, but once the investigation begins the novel settles into a satisfying rhythm. Rather than relying on sensational twists or a series of increasingly dramatic murders, Thomson develops the case through careful police work, with Finch following one clue after another until the full picture gradually emerges.

The artistic setting gives the novel an identity of its own, distinguishing it from many country-house mysteries. Inspector Finch may not possess the flamboyance of Lord Peter Wimsey or Hercule Poirot, but his methodical approach makes him an engaging detective in his own right.

To Make a Killing may not be widely discussed today, but it is a well-crafted traditional detective novel and it is easy to see why H. R. F. Keating included it among his hundred favourite crime novels.