The Case of the Canterfell Codicil

The Anty Boisjoly Mysteries, Book 1

By: PJ Fitzsimmons

Narrated by: Tim Bruce

Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

There’s a literary niche for all tastes including those who think that either Agatha Christie wasn’t funny enough or that PG Wodehouse didn’t feature anywhere near as many baffling murders as he could have. The Case of the Canterfell Codicil is a classic, cozy, locked-room mystery written in the style of an homage to PG Wodehouse. The result, for those familiar with Wodehouse or Jerome K Jerome and Agatha Christie or Dorothy L Sayers, is either an inexcusable offence to several beloved canons, or a hilarious, fast-paced, manor house murder mystery.

In The Case of the Canterfell Codicil, Wodehousian gadabout and clubman Anty Boisjoly takes on his first case when his old Oxford chum and coxswain is facing the gallows, accused of the murder of his wealthy uncle. Not one but two locked-room mysteries later, Boisjoly’s pitting his wits and witticisms against a subversive butler, a senile footman, a single-minded detective inspector, an irascible goat, and the eccentric conventions of the pastoral Sussex countryside to untangle a multilayered mystery of secret bequests, ancient writs, love triangles, revenge, and a teasing twist in the final paragraph.

©2020 by PJ Fitzsimmons (P)2022 by Blackstone Publishing

Great fun and engaging mystery

As suggested by the publisher’s description, this was Woodhousian in tone with the complexity of Christie at her best. The dialogue is snappy and witty in that dry manner made famous by Oscar Wilde. I’ll definitely be reading/listening to the rest of the series.

Quite funny and the mystery is plenty mysterious

The writing is witty and mystery is quite novel. I loved listening to it. Solve a puzzle and have a lot of laughs, what's not to like!

Delightful as a whiff of Shalimar

Utterly delectable fanciful English word smithing at tea euhm cocktail o‘clock! Blimey, where has that goat ran off to now again?

What a romp!

This silly and very well-written tale is perfect for lifting the mood of anyone feeling low or just ordinarily imperfect. Being crazy about Wodehouse and others who know how to put the English language to its best use and also others who enchant readers with mysteries set amidst the verdant English countryside, I may have lost the thread of reason at times, but there may have been no reason to lose? Everyone was named Evelyn. Everyone was more or less related, with the possible exception of the goat. And everyone had a motive for murder. Lovely set up. Most enjoyable. I look forward to the others.

Ab Fab

It was a wonderfully fun read from start to finish! I highly recommend this book and this author.

Fun series for fans of classic English mysteries

Anty Boisjoly is not quite as much of a silly ass as Bertie Wooster, but there is a Wodehousian flavor to this series. I like a little humor with murder, and this book fits the bill. Decent puzzle and good writing make it a winner.

Don't take it all too seriously, old boy.

A classic manor house 1920's whodunnit with a flippant, hilarious narrator/protagonist. It's an easy, engaging read that finished far too soon! I'll definitely be getting the next in the series.

Fun, light entertainment

The performance enhances this light, humorous book. The mystery isn’t really the point in this character driven riff on PD Wodehouse, but it works well enough. Much of the mystery is exposition reveal.

Charmbomb

For all who likes classical who-done-it, do not miss this. Witty, charming, entertaining, good fun. A respectful nod to classics, yet PJF has his own distinct style and point of views and a refined and modern sense of the distinct british humour. Excellently performed by the narrator.

Excellent, truly a delightful listen!

I loved the words, the narration and how much it really does remind me of Agatha Christie meets Bertie Wooster. I look forward to hearing more from this author.