Not to Be Taken

Not To Be Taken is a 1938 mystery novel from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction by British author Anthony Berkeley. In the United States, the book was published under the alternate title A Puzzle in Poison. The story takes place in the English village of Anneypenney, where the death of local squire John Waterhouse initially appears natural. After his brother raises suspicions and demands an exhumation, tests reveal arsenic poisoning as the cause of death. The investigation faces a central challenge - despite clear evidence of murder, no one in the victim's circle appears to have any reason to wish him dead. The local police must unravel both the method and motive behind this seemingly purposeless crime. The novel exemplifies the Golden Age mystery tradition of presenting readers with a complex puzzle while exploring the nature of truth and appearances in small village life.

Readers note this is an entertaining mystery with plenty of suspects and red herrings, though not as refined as Berkeley's later works. The complex plot keeps readers guessing until the end. Likes: - Strong dialogue and character development - Multiple plausible suspects - Clever misdirection throughout - Humorous moments and witty exchanges Dislikes: - Some find the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few plot points require suspension of disbelief - The detective character lacks depth compared to Berkeley's later Roger Sheringham novels - Several readers mention the ending feels rushed Review Data: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (41 ratings) - "Fun Golden Age mystery but not Berkeley's best" - Goodreads reviewer - "The investigation meanders but the payoff is worth it" - Goodreads reviewer Limited review data exists online for this 1938 title, with most discussion appearing in vintage mystery blogs and forums rather than major retail sites.

Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L. Sayers This Golden Age mystery features Lord Peter Wimsey investigating a death at an advertising agency using the same intricate puzzle-solving and exploration of British social dynamics found in Not To Be Taken.

The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie The first Miss Marple novel presents a murder investigation in an English village setting with multiple suspects and hidden motives that mirror the community dynamics in Not To Be Taken.

Death of a Gossip by M.C. Beaton Set in a small village where the victim appears to have no enemies, this mystery employs the same questioning of surface appearances and social facades central to Berkeley's work.

The Case of the Late Pig by Margery Allingham Albert Campion investigates a village death that requires exhumation and features the same blend of scientific detection and psychological insight found in Not To Be Taken.

A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh Inspector Alleyn's first case presents a country house murder with multiple suspects and apparent lack of motive that follows the same Golden Age detection patterns as Berkeley's novel.

🔎 Anthony Berkeley was a pen name for Anthony Berkeley Cox, who also wrote under the pseudonym Francis Iles - a name he used for his groundbreaking psychological crime novels. 🏘️ The village of Anneypenney, though fictional, was inspired by typical English countryside settlements of the 1930s, where social hierarchies and local traditions played crucial roles in daily life. ⚗️ Arsenic poisoning was known as "inheritance powder" in the Victorian era due to its frequent use in inheritance-related murders, making it a particularly fitting choice for a story about a wealthy squire's death. 📚 Berkeley was a founding member of London's prestigious Detection Club in 1930, alongside Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, where members took an oath to follow "fair play" rules in their mystery writing. 🎭 This novel was published during what's considered the Golden Age of Detective Fiction (1920-1940), a period that established many of the classic mystery tropes still used in contemporary crime fiction.