Murder in the Moor. Illustrated

Originally published in 1929, Murder in the Moor introduces readers to the memorable Inspector Peregrine “Pithecanthropus” Smith, a subtly witty and perceptive detective whose holiday on Dartmoor turns into a thrilling investigation. The narrative opens with a grisly discovery: a man found dead on the windswept moor, killed by an unusual weapon. Despite having many enemies, no one seems to have been in the right place at the right time, and the case becomes a puzzle—part locked-room, part character mystery .Kindon’s portrayal of Dartmoor is one of the novel's strengths. Early chapters bath the landscape in poetic, lyrical detail—mists, tors, bogs—creating a haunting and immersive setting reminiscent of both Ronald Knox and Chesterton more than conventional procedural crime fiction. This vivid moorland becomes almost a character in its own right, framing the dark drama that unfolds.Inspector Smith is refreshingly different from typical Golden Age detectives—unassuming, good-humored, and self-effacing. He balances official police procedure with a more reflective, almost armchair-detective approach. The novel also features a cast of eccentric locals and suspects, infused with gentle satire and warmth, drawing comparisons to Agatha Christie’s handling of quirky personalities.