Appleby on Ararat

Appleby on Ararat Detective Inspector John Appleby finds himself far from his usual London beat when a cruise liner is torpedoed in the South Pacific during World War II. Along with a small group of survivors, he drifts on a makeshift raft constructed from a sundeck café until they reach what appears to be an uninhabited island. The survivors soon discover their island sanctuary is anything but deserted, encountering an unlikely mix of inhabitants including archaeologists, natives, and potential enemy agents. Appleby must navigate this complex web of characters while investigating mounting evidence of espionage and other criminal activities. The seventh installment in Michael Innes' Appleby series combines elements of classic detective fiction with wartime intrigue and adventure. The isolated tropical setting and international cast of characters create a unique entry in this traditionally British mystery series.

Readers describe this as one of the more uneven entries in the Appleby series. The mystery plot involving international espionage takes a back seat to literary allusions and philosophical discussions. Liked: - Clever biblical references and symbolism - Complex character interactions - Period details of post-war Europe - Michael Innes' signature intellectual style Disliked: - Slow pacing, especially in middle sections - Too many tangential discussions unrelated to plot - Hard to follow multiple storylines - "More like a travelogue than a mystery" (Goodreads review) Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (97 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (12 ratings) Several readers note it works better as part of the series rather than a standalone, with one Amazon reviewer stating "You need familiarity with Appleby's character to appreciate the nuances." The book maintains a small but devoted following among Michael Innes completists.

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🔍 Published in 1941, this novel was one of the first detective stories to directly incorporate the ongoing World War II into its plot. 🎭 Michael Innes was the pen name of J.I.M. Stewart, a distinguished Oxford literary scholar who wrote acclaimed academic works under his real name while publishing detective fiction as Innes. ⚓ The maritime disaster aspect of the plot was influenced by real-world events, as German U-boats were actively targeting passenger ships in the South Pacific during WWII. 🏝️ The island setting pays homage to classic castaway literature like "Robinson Crusoe," while adding contemporary wartime espionage elements. 📚 Inspector Appleby appeared in 32 novels between 1936 and 1986, making him one of the longest-running series detectives in British crime fiction.