Brat Farrar is a mystery featuring murder, deception and deadly family secrets. This is the second in my series of Vintage Mystery Reviews. It is also the second review of a Josephine Tey mystery. I had intended to read one by another author for this month’s review, but Brat Farrar proved too tempting.
Brat Farrar is a young man recently returned to England after several years abroad. A chance encounter with actor Alex Loding changes the course of his life forever.
Alex Loding was born into the wealthy Ledingham family. A series of bad investments left them destitute and they were forced to sell their estate. The Ashbys were the Ledingham’s less prosperous neighbours who nonetheless managed to maintain their stud farm through the lean post-war years. When Alex sees Brat Farrar, he is immediately struck by his resemblance to Alex’s former neighbour, Simon Ashby, and a plan begins to form.
Simon Ashby is about to turn twenty-one and come into his inheritance. Eight years previously, Simon’s elder twin, Patrick, disappeared without trace. Although it was never proven, suicide was suspected. Alex proposes a scheme of deception to Brat Farrar. Brat should pose as Patrick Ashby and inherit in Simon’s stead, splitting the proceeds with Alex. At first, Brat is unconvinced but he is soon won over by the idea of owning a stud farm and being free from financial worries. Under Alex’s meticulous tutoring, Brat prepares for the role of a lifetime.
Once he insinuates himself into the Ashby family, Brat’s conscience begins to trouble him. There is something very wrong with the Ashby family dynamics. Brat begins to wonder what truly happened to cause thirteen-year-old Patrick to take his own life…
This is another strong mystery by Josephine Tey. While it is not my favourite of her books, Brat Farrar is a fascinating example of an early psychological murder mystery. The character of Brat Farrar is satisfyingly complex. He desperately wants to belong and is sorely tempted by the opportunity to live a life free from financial worries. He loves horses and soon realizes he is more suited to the role of stud farm owner than Simon Ashby. Yet he is not without regrets and thinks to justify his deception by uncovering the truth about what became of Patrick.
The other characters in the novel stay very much in the background. This is Brat’s book and we see most of the story from his point of view. It’s a tale of right and wrong, of love and hate. Nothing is what is seems.
I can highly recommend it to all fans of old crime novels. Grade: B
{ 7 comments }
I read this book many years ago, and it must be time for a re-read, because I can’t remember the ending! I was heavily into SF&F at the time, and her books made quite an impression on me. Intricately crafted and impossible to put down.
Robert Barnard is another ‘cerebral’ mystery writer I love.
I love this series of posts! I still haven’t seen a Josephine Tey book anywhere, but this one sounds really intriguing.
@Carolyn I’ve never read anything by Robert Barnard. Thanks for the recommendation!
@heidenkind The Josephine Tey books are still available from Amazon, but I’m sure a decent library should have some of her more famous titles, such as ‘The Daughter of Time’.
I’ll always have a massive soft spot for that book. It was the first Tey I read after my mum recommended it when I was a mite. It was one of her favourites.
@heidenkind
If you’re a resident of Australia or New Zealand, you could download an ebook copy of Brat Farrar from Project Gutenberg Australia & NZ.
All her works published prior 1952 are in (Australian/NZ) public domain, including her Inspector Grant series (which includes ‘Daughter of Time’) and some of her books she wrote under her pen name, Gordon Daviot.
Not sure if it applies to Tasmania, though. Is it part of Australia? Or somewhat independent like the Isle of Man? I used to think it was until a drunken Tasmanian stranger at a party set me right with an enraged rant.
@Maili I’ve enjoyed all the Tey mysteries, even though some are better than others. While they are of their time in certain respects, the psychological aspect is remarkably well-developed for such old mystery novels.
I haven’t read any Josephine Tey in years! Good to know about Project Gutenberg. And Tasmamia is a State of Australia Maili! A very beautiful state.
@Keziah Hill I’m also re-reading the Josephine Tey books. I read all 8 (?) a few years ago but I’m enjoying reading them again.