The Franchise Affair - book 3 in the Alan Grant series (though he is barely in this one)
by Josephine Tey
mystery 1948
kindle
finished 1/21/17
I have never read a book like The Franchise Affair.
Here is the plot. A young teenage girl goes to the police and tells them that she has been kidnapped and beaten by two women, a woman in her forties and her mother. She describes their house and grounds in great and perfect detail. The women deny everything. Can you imagine if someone accused you of such a thing and ‘knew’ your home inside out? What a horror. The reader doesn't know who is telling the truth and who isn’t for a while. There is a wonderful small town lawyer who has lived a placid, easy life with a doting aunt. Suddenly he is swept up in the case and off on the adventure of his life. Alan Grant, the Scotland yard sleuth in the first two books in the series makes very few appearances. I guess that’s about all I’ll say except that this is one great story, and you don’t need to read the others in the series first.
I read it for the Birth Year Reading Challenge 2017
and the Read Scotland 2017 challenge
though I was going to read it anyway because I am planning to read all the books in the Alan Grant series, and Tey's non-series books as well. She was a very good writer who died too early. Her real name was Elizabeth MacKintosh. You may read more about her here and here. I've just bought a recent biography of her by Jennifer Morag Henderson. My thanks go out to my blogging friend Cath for introducing the author to me.
What a fascinating woman, and she sounds like a wonderful writer. I see she left all her money to the National Trust, good for her.
ReplyDeleteI'm eager to read her biography. Her writing is very unique.
DeleteNan - you are doing the same thing as me!! Serendipity! I read her first "Grant" Novel, The Man in the Queue, last year, and I liked it so much I found several of the others second hand, and there they are, on the bookcase, all lined up with my couple of hundred other books yet to be read. Hope you'll enjoy all the rest, as I am sure I will.
ReplyDeleteOh, my gosh! You and I and Cath! It so pleases me to find other people who read older books.
DeleteI didn't do an end of year post for 2016 as I simply did not have time and it's a bit late now. *But* if I had, The Franchise Affair would easily have made it into my top five and possibly to the top slot. I thought it was delightful and didn't suffer at all from the very few appearances of Alan Grant, and what a brave thing for Tey to do. I thought Robert Blair made a wonderful 'unwilling' sleuth and loved the gentle humour throughout the book. You're right too... I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this either. So pleased you enjoyed it.
ReplyDelete'Gentle humour' is right. The only thing I could.not.stand was the ugliness of the house. It made me literally uncomfortable reading the details of that place. I was glad it ended up as it did!!
DeleteYou've reminded me that I haven't read a Josephine Tey novel in such a long time. I'll have to get back to her for some pleasure reading this year.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm just beginning. I've read her name forever but just never picked up a book until Cath's reviews.
DeleteA favorite of mine was Ms Tey and I really enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's great!!
DeleteI'm glad your birth year was so fruitful, Nan--sometimes older books don't hold their charm very well, but it sounds like this one certainly did. I'm not a fan of mysteries, but I confess (no pun intended?) that after your review I'm dying (ha!) to know what the explanation was!
ReplyDeleteIt really is very, very interesting. And solved so beautifully, I thought. I know what you mean about older books, but most of the old ones I have read were wonderful.
DeleteThis is my favorite book by Tey, also, Nan. I have read all of her books twice but I still would like to reread them. I hope your review encourages a lot of readers to try this book.
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks for letting me know. It's wonderful to see so many fans of hers.
DeleteIt could be close to 20 years ago, but I am very sure I have read that book, and loved it! Doesn't the teenage girl ride around on a bus? And is the meal the detective is invited to share with the accused ladies at their house something with soup and cheese and bread, a ready-made soup which the hostess does not apologize for?
ReplyDeleteI think I want to re-read it, and if it is not the same book, I definitely want to read this one.
(Back then I was not keeping track of my reading like I do now via my blog, so I can not be 100 % certain.)
Yes! Imagine you remembering such details after all these years!!!
Deleteand thank you ro you for introducing her to me - I'm going to treat myself to a book or two by Josephine Tey.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll like her!
DeleteThis book sounds interesting but also a little creepy.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound that way, but it really isn't. It is mysterious, but there is humor as well.
DeleteIt's a good story isn't it Nan. The 1951 film version is enjoyable there is a sample here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNk3gwPX44E
ReplyDeleteElizabeth left me a comment above saying the book sounds a little creepy. I didn't think it was but someone the movie does seem scarier. There's a warmth that comes through in the book.
DeleteOh, I like all her books very much!
ReplyDeleteMargaretha
I'm a big fan of Josephine Tey's books, Nan. I've read all of them and my favorite remains THE DAUGHTER OF TIME, another Alan Grant book. But as you say they DO NOT have to be read in any order. Have you read BRAT FARRAR, (not a Grant book) another very different plot and unforgettable characters. All in all, you can't go wrong with Tey. I'm not the biggest fan of THE FRANCHISE AFFAIR, but I did read it and I do recommend it. It's based on a true story by the way.
ReplyDeleteI saw that on wikipedia. I think I remember that the real one was never solved. I so like the lawyer and kind of wish he had his own series. ;<) I've not read BF, but plan to. I've just read the first three Grant ones.
DeleteThank you for your wonderful review. I love Josephine Tey. You have a great birth year. I love the way your blog looks and the way you have so many and varied topics you address.
ReplyDeleteSuch nice words. Thanks so much, and so good to 'see' you!
DeleteA terrific book by a fine writer. The film version wasn't at all bad, either
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteI've read all of Josephine Tey. Have them on my Kindle and revisit them from time to time. Alan Grant; a thoroughly nice fellow and great detective. Makes one want to write something, doesn't it? Love your blog. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete