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Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
Set in the Sixties, author John Bayliss introduces us to J.F. Springer, a private detective in Five and a Half Tons. He is not the usual noiresque, suave kind of sleuth, but his bumbling personality and lucky streak will keep us amused. It all starts with a case where Springer is required to find the missing wife – who is not missing at all – of a man named Boesmann. Rather than a case, Springer seems to be caught up in a terrible feud between husband and wife. When the husband commits suicide, Springer unwillingly gets mixed up with all sorts of problems. On top of that, the police, particularly Inspector Willis, are keeping a close eye on him. So what did Springer get himself involved with?
It is hilarious and entertaining from the get go; Springer was getting shot at whilst still having the time to contemplate his life and his case. I absolutely love the illustrations included in the book – the Robert Mitchum poster bit is very witty. It is not hard to find Springer as a likable, rather inept private detective. The simple setting in a quiet English town in the early Sixties is perfect. John Bayliss has produced an entertaining, high-class plot that perfectly progresses with clever twists from start to finish. Overall, Five and a Half Tons is a great, light detective novel for any reader to enjoy in their relaxing time. The swift pacing of the story, coupled with the faultless prose, enabled me to finish it in two sittings. Bayliss is another great gem in the sleuth genre and I look forward to another bumbling misadventure from Springer in the next book.
