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Book Reviews of Murder Must Wait (Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, Bk 17)

Murder Must Wait (Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, Bk 17)
Murder Must Wait - Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, Bk 17
Author: Arthur W. Upfield
ISBN-13: 9780020259008
ISBN-10: 002025900X
Publication Date: 7/1/1987
Pages: 192
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 17

4 stars, based on 17 ratings
Publisher: Scribner Paper Fiction
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

4 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Murder Must Wait (Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, Bk 17) on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The Upfield Napoleon Bonaparte series give a great feel for the setting of early to mid 20th century Australia but are generally a little weak in plot. Good light read.
aardvark avatar reviewed Murder Must Wait (Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, Bk 17) on + 157 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I wouldn't say the Bonaparte series is light on plot -- merely casual in pace, like its main character. The emphasis is on the setting and atmosphere of (usually) outback Australia, upon Napoleon as a fascinatingly unique character, and upon the interplay of the people among whom he is placed.
reviewed Murder Must Wait (Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, Bk 17) on
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first Bony book I read. Bony is half white, half aboriginal Australian. He works out the mystery via intuition, intelligence and tracking skills he learned from his Aboriginal family. He is somewhat vain or perhaps he is simply assured of his abilities and isn't coy about it. The story may be somewhat slow but it is not shallow or simple or simplistic. The writing flows nicely. These books were written awhile back (circa 1940?) so reflect the period and attitudes of the day which is interesting. There is much detail on the life of small towns in this book, for example, on the edge of the outback. It is somewhat a "cozy" with an edge, if you like!
hardtack avatar reviewed Murder Must Wait (Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, Bk 17) on + 2701 more book reviews
While I had a pretty good idea early on why the babies were stolen, and I was proven right, the Who, What, When and How was fascinating to discover. I enjoy Upfield's books on Australia, as my mother was Australian and I went to the 5th grade there. As usual, the pieces don't all come together until "Bony" explains all in the end. I think this was one of the best so far in the series.

Written in 1953, the book displays the Australian "Jim Crow" laws and attitudes back then. As such, it is also interesting how Upfield has his mixed-ancestry protagonist staying in the homes of white Australians and eating at their tables. In some ways, I think he is making fun of the racial attitudes of Australians, as Mark Twain did about 19th-century white Americans in many of his books.