Thomas Littlejohn Books In Order

Publication Order of Thomas Littlejohn Books

Thomas Littlejohn is the main character in a series of novels written by George Bellairs. The series is full of crime and much hard puzzled all of which the Inspector Littlejohn give his all to solve. The series’ first introduces, Littlejohn as a police inspector based in England, he is later promoted to the ranks of Superintendent. The character debuted in the publishing world in 1941 when the Littlejohn on Leave, the first book in the series was published. The series run for over two decades, with An Old Man Dies, the 57th installment marking an end to the series.

Death in the Night Watches

When the World War II is at its peak, Thomas Littlejohn is called upon to investigate the murder of a factory boss.

Some time back, the Henry Worth’s sprawling factory was full of looms and textile workers. Today things are different, since the beginning of World War II; the industrial space has been entirely given over to military production. Henry is taking a stroll around the grounds one fine night when he detects the smell of gas coming from a shed that is not usually used. He walks up to the shed and gets in to speculate, suddenly the door slams, and it locks behind him. He is dead in no time.

Detective and inspector Littlejohn, who has been in London, is called upon to investigate the murder. He discovers that everyone in the town is on upending about the question of the inheritance Mr. Worth left behind. A feud was building up, between his wife and his three children, over the vast wealth left behind. It is apparent that they are all willing to fight tooth and nail, and even kill if need be in to get their share. As the troops of Britain are over the seas fighting and dying, Littlejohn realizes that most of the times the greatest and the fiercest battle of all occur on the home front and not at the battlefield.

The Dead Shall Be Raised and Murder of A Quack

The book is made up of two classic cases both of them featuring detective Thomas Littlejohn.

In the freezing winter of 1940, the Home Guard digs out a skeleton on the moor that is above the ever busy town of Hater worth. The body of a young textile worker had been found in the same spot around two decades earlier. The primary suspect in the case of the young worker was never found. Now this second body that has been found, and the after examination, it is revealed that the body belonged to the prime suspect in the previous murder case. Inspector Littlejohn is in town getting ready for Christmas festivities after being bombed out of his flat in London takes up the newly re-opened case and starts investigating. During his investigations of these related murders, the Inspector discovers a countable number of skeletons hidden in the closets of the factory owners in the small town. It is not long before it becomes evident to the Inspector that the killer is still at large and he might strike again when least expected.

Nathaniel Wall, the local town quack doctor, is one day found hanging inside his consultation room- and even though many believe that his death was suicide, Little John believes that it was murder. Even though Wall did not have professional qualifications of a doctor, he had skills as a bonesetter and was also highly committed to village life; and these attributes about him were highly valued. Scotland Yard is called in to help with the investigation while Littlejohn settles in his accommodation at the village pub as fast as he can. After that, the inspector shifts his focus, and he starts to speculate the evidence. Against the backbone of a close-knit small town sprouts an intriguing story of blackmail, greed, corruption, and secrets that anyone would be willing to kill to protect them.

The inspector proves his expertise in the following the lead and questioning the witnesses. He does not discriminate, not even on the grounds of social status, and in the end, the guilty are unmasked once more.

Bones in the Wilderness

Samuel Cheever is a shady dealer in Francaster. He leaves his hometown for France where to buy antiques. The problem arises when he does not come back, and the people in Francaster start to question the whereabouts of Cheever. The wonder goes on amongst the people until one day the local Member of Parliament brings up the question in the House of August. A decision is agreed upon that Superintendent Littlejohn that is sent to France to find out what happened to Cheever.

The bones belonging to Cheever are found in the Camargue, a wilderness in the Rhone delta. Once again Littlejohn finds himself with a puzzle to solve. He is to handle the case with the assistance of Sergeant Cromwell among his acquaintances of the Mediterranean police. As it is the norm, they all work together amicably, but the Cheever case has trails leading to a lot of mysterious places. Littlejohn does lots of traveling and meets different kinds of people, from queer to colorful, before he finds a solution to the case.

The book is graced with a combination of murder cases to solve and a travelogue around the Camargue region in France and also the delights from the French Rivera.

Bones in the Wilderness, the 31st book in Thomas Littlejohn series by George Bellairs offers a vivid scene description of the countryside of France. The author gives a more detailed description of the scenic landscape, colorful residents, culture. Littlejohn and his partner arriving in France they met gypsies, cowboys, monkeys, dwarves, and bullfighters. The residents are friendly and helpful. When one of the cowboys is killed, and the Cheever’s belongings are discovered in his home, it becomes apparently clear that he must have looted Cheever’s body before reporting to the cops.

Bones in the Wilderness is a well-woven and plot novel as are George Bellaire’s books. Littlejohn and Cromwell make a tremendous sleuthing team; their personalities complement each other amazingly while the suspense builds gradually.