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Murder Must Wait (Inspector Bonaparte)
Murder Must Wait - Inspector Bonaparte
Author: Arthur W. Upfield
Four babies are missing in the town of Mitford, New South Wales. The babies were all male, all healthy, under 3 months old, and apparently all neglected or unwanted. The local police have given up. Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte is called in after a fifth baby goes missing, and this time, the mother is killed. Of all the cases he's worked, thi...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780207149054
ISBN-10: 0207149054
Publication Date: 1984
Pages: 191
Rating:
  • Currently 3.3/5 Stars.
 2

3.3 stars, based on 2 ratings
Publisher: Angus & Robertson
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Murder Must Wait (Inspector Bonaparte) 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 Bonaparte) 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 Bonaparte) 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!
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hardtack avatar reviewed Murder Must Wait (Inspector Bonaparte) on + 2569 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.


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