Safe Custody

Safe Custody is a 1932 adventure novel by English author Dornford Yates, first serialized in The Saturday Evening Post under the title "Your Castle of Hohenems." The story introduces new protagonists John Ferrers and Hubert Constable, marking a departure from Yates's previous adventure series. The plot centers on two cousins who inherit an Austrian castle and search for a hidden collection of carved jewels once owned by Pope Alexander VI. The quest brings them into conflict with a thief named Harris and his accomplice Father Herman Haydn, while they form an alliance with Andrew Palin and Lady Olivia Haydn. The narrative takes place primarily in the Austrian region of Carinthia, where the fictional Castle of Hohenems stands. The story involves inheritance, treasure hunting, and the intricate dynamics between heroes and villains. The novel combines elements of traditional adventure fiction with themes of legacy, honor, and the preservation of historical treasures. It maintains Yates's characteristic blend of action and pursuit while exploring the complexities of inheritance and rightful ownership.

Readers view Safe Custody as an entertaining but formulaic entry in Dornford Yates' "thriller" fiction. Reviews emphasize its light tone and adventure elements. Liked: - Fast-paced plot and chase sequences - Humorous dialogue between characters - Descriptions of pre-WWII European settings - The protagonist's resourcefulness and wit Disliked: - Less complex than Yates' earlier works - Predictable story beats - Some find the villains one-dimensional - Dated social attitudes and class perspectives Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: [Too few reviews for meaningful rating] A Goodreads reviewer noted: "Fun escapism in the classic Yates style, but not his best work." Another commented: "The European road trip elements are the highlight, even if the story feels familiar." Due to being out of print for decades, online reviews and ratings are limited compared to Yates' better-known titles like "Berry" series books.

The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan A British thriller about an ordinary man who becomes entangled in an international conspiracy combines pursuit and danger in pre-war Europe with similar pacing to Safe Custody.

Beau Geste by P. C. Wren The tale of three brothers who join the French Foreign Legion after the disappearance of a precious jewel follows inheritance mysteries and adventure in exotic locations.

The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie This mystery novel features international intrigue centered around a European castle and missing treasures with parallel themes of inheritance and nobility.

King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard The quest for legendary treasures in unknown territories mirrors Safe Custody's treasure hunt structure with emphasis on male friendships and adventure.

The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope Set in a fictional European kingdom, this adventure tale involves castles, nobility, and complex plots over inheritance rights with matching themes of duty and honor.

🏰 The Castle of Hohenems described in the book is inspired by real Austrian castles in Carinthia, a region known for having over 100 medieval fortresses and châteaux 💎 The Borgia family, referenced through the Pope's jewels in the story, was one of Renaissance Italy's most notorious noble families, known for their political power and rumored involvement in numerous scandals ✍️ Dornford Yates was actually the pen name of Cecil William Mercer, a British lawyer who became a full-time writer after World War I and lived in France to write his European-set adventures 📚 "Safe Custody" represented a creative risk for Yates in 1932, as he was primarily known for his humorous "Berry" stories, making this serious treasure-hunting tale a significant genre shift 🗺️ The book capitalized on a 1930s trend in British literature of setting adventures in Austria and Germany, influenced by the growing interest in Alpine tourism among wealthy British travelers