DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

The Mystery of the Crooked Man

A witty detective story with unexpected twists

Tom Spencer author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Pushkin Press

Published:2nd May '24

£16.99

Available for immediate dispatch.

The Mystery of the Crooked Man cover

In The Mystery of the Crooked Man, Agatha Dorn's life spirals after a manuscript hoax leads to murder, forcing her to become an unlikely detective.

In The Mystery of the Crooked Man, readers are introduced to Agatha Dorn, a quirky archivist with a penchant for grammar and a love for gin. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she stumbles upon a long-lost manuscript by Gladden Green, a revered figure in Golden Age detective fiction. Suddenly thrust into the spotlight of literary fame, Agatha revels in the attention, but her joy is short-lived. The excitement quickly fades when the manuscript is revealed to be a clever hoax, leaving her reputation in tatters.

As if things couldn't get worse, Agatha finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation when her ex-lover is found dead, a piece of the fraudulent manuscript clutched in his hand. With her life spiraling out of control and the world turning against her, Agatha decides to take matters into her own hands. She embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the murder and the manuscript scandal, all while battling her own personal demons.

The Mystery of the Crooked Man masterfully blends humor and suspense, showcasing Agatha's transformation from a disgraced archivist to an unlikely detective. As she navigates the complexities of her new reality, readers are treated to a delightful mix of wit, charm, and a touch of darkness. Can Agatha solve the mystery before she becomes the next victim, or will her penchant for trouble lead her to a disastrous end?

'Not your usual cosy, and that's exactly what I loved! Spencer tip-toes on that line between traditional and modern with a delicate charm and deftness of touch to create a juicy whodunnit. Simply brilliant!' -

'With a prickly protagonist and a plot that's twistier than a bag full of corkscrews, this one will keep you guessing until the end' - Fiona Leitch

'An intriguing story and an engaging narrator whose sharp wit kept me turning the pages' - Frances Brody

ISBN: 9781805335108

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

320 pages