The Long Divorce

The Long Divorce is a 1951 detective novel set in the wealthy English village of Cotton Abbas, featuring Oxford professor and amateur detective Gervase Fen. The title references a quote from Shakespeare's Henry VIII rather than a marital separation. The plot centers on a series of poison pen letters causing distress among the village residents, including a young doctor and a Yorkshire businessman. When one recipient takes her own life after receiving a threatening letter, the local police find themselves unable to identify the writer, while a mysterious guest using an alias from Dickens arrives at the village inn. Professor Fen investigates amid a backdrop of village tensions, social hierarchy, and hidden secrets. The novel combines elements of classic Golden Age mystery with Crispin's trademark blend of literary references and English countryside setting. The novel explores themes of truth, deception, and the destructive power of secrets in small communities, while maintaining the intellectual puzzle-solving approach characteristic of Golden Age detective fiction.

Readers describe The Long Divorce as a competent but unremarkable entry in the Gervase Fen mystery series. Reviews note it maintains Crispin's wit and academic humor, though at a more subdued level than his earlier works. Readers appreciated: - The village setting and local characters - Smaller role for the sometimes-overbearing Fen - Clever use of anonymous letters in the plot - References to classic literature and academia Common criticisms: - Slower pacing than other Fen novels - Less humor and whimsy than usual - Plot becomes convoluted in later chapters - Some find the resolution unsatisfying Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (246 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (31 ratings) "Not Crispin's best, but still better than most mystery writers of the period," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another states: "The charm is there but the spark is missing compared to earlier Fen adventures."

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🔍 Edmund Crispin was the pseudonym of Bruce Montgomery, who was also a well-respected composer of film scores, including several "Carry On" comedies. 📚 The character Gervase Fen was inspired by Oxford professor W.E. Moore, and like his creator, Fen drives a red sports car and has a deep passion for music. ✉️ The "poison pen" letter theme in "The Long Divorce" was a popular subject in mid-20th century British mysteries, reflecting real social anxieties of the post-war period. 🎭 The novel's title is taken from Shakespeare's "Richard III," continuing Crispin's tradition of using literary references in his book titles. 🎵 While writing this novel in 1951, Crispin was simultaneously composing the score for "The Lavender Hill Mob," which became one of Britain's most celebrated comedy films.