Reviews for Collected papers of Salomon Bochner

The average rating for Collected papers of Salomon Bochner based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2018-07-16 00:00:00 Andrew Goods Coffin Scarcely Used by Colin Watson is a 2018 Farrago publication. (This book was originally published in 1958) What a wonderful find!! I am happy this rather obscure mystery series has been rediscovered and propelled into the digital age. I was unfamiliar with the series, to be honest, and was equal parts excited and skeptical about reading it. Described as a humorous mystery, and published in the fifties, I was worried it might be too silly, or too dated. I've also grown a little wary of mysteries or detective novels written back in this era due to extreme sexism. (Which is to be expected to some extent, and I do take the time frame into consideration, but some older titles are just too abusive in one way or another for me to be able to enjoy it.) However, I needn't have worried. This mystery/police procedural is an absolute delight! Small towns are often deceptively wholesome. Flaxborough is a fine example of that. It is a small, sleepy seaside community, quite dignified, but it is hiding a shocking secret. When a man passes away, the cause of death is barely remarked upon, it certainly didn't raise any criminal alarms, but when his neighbor dies shortly thereafter, under rather odd circumstances, Detective Inspector Purbright is called in to investigate. What at first appeared to be an unusual way of committing suicide, may have been murder. It's up to Purbright and Sargent Love to solve the puzzle. This really is an exceptional mystery novel. It deals with some rather seedy topics without being graphic. In fact, one must read between the lines, since it isn't stated outright. Still, there were conversations, about other issues that had yet to become hot button topics in the average house hold. The humor is dry and witty, and the dialogue is razor sharp. This first installment is fairly short, and I easily read it in one sitting. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and once again, I am grateful this series is getting some recognition. Any mystery lover will appreciate this story and will be charmed by Love and Purbright. The ending was phenomenal, and a complete and rather shocking surprise! I believe there are twelve installments in this series and I sincerely hope all of them will be formatted to digital. I am quite impressed with this little gem and would love to read every book in the series! 4 stars

Review # 2 was written on 2018-05-27 00:00:00 Kevin Adkins For an extended review visit here Coffin, Scarcely Used is a bona-fide, authentic police procedural at its finest. Originally published in 1958, the Flaxborough Chronicles are a mid-century nod to writers such as Agatha Christie where the police are in the spotlight but the townsfolk are the real stars. The book reminded me so much of Miss Marple with the characters in the town playing such an important role in the solving of the crime and these characters are what truly bring the book to life. You think you are reading just another simple cozy until you get to know the people of the town - the good and the bad. I found this throwback to mid-century Britain a very welcome relief from hard core crime as well as from amateur detectives who apparently know more than real detectives about solving crimes. I also really enjoyed the fact that the book was extremely well edited and well written and it executed a dry, witty humor primarily  because it was from another era. These things are missing from many mystery/thrillers written today. I highly recommend Coffin, Scarcely Used for anyone who enjoys mysteries, cozies or who is simply in the mood for some light summer reading. As for me, I've moved on to Book Number Two in the series. Happy Reading! (Thank you to #Netgalley and Farrago Books for my copy)