The Case Of The Torn Yellow Socks: Inspector Cullot Mystery Series Book 4 Paperback – 1 Nov. 2018

The Case Of The Torn Yellow Socks is another witty mystery story by Alan Handy, who started the series with (still my favourite!) “The Case Of The Tattooed Buttocks”.If you haven’t figured out where Mr Hardy comes from, you can totally get it by reading his books, so pleasantly full of British humour which I personally like very much.The detective story is clever and well structured, with an all around main character, legit villains, and vivid side kicks.Mr Hardy painted again a realistic and pulsing reality that makes the story even more realistic.I particularly adore the rhythm and altermation of scenes and dialogues: dramatic and funny, the plot gracefully flows in no time!I could also feel the sense of family as one of the main theme here, due to Cullott’s daughter involvement that puts the ispector into a more involved situation personally speaking. Of course the crime to solve gets more difficult then!I devoured the book within a few hours - I nearly missed the culprit! Mr Hardy again delivered another classic whodunit story.

When a gentleman of wealth living in luxury is found dead in suspicious circumstances all is not as it seems and the team of detectives sets to work to discover who the killer is and their motive. The victim's socks, threadbare, garish yellow clashes with the rest of his appearance and this throws the team. The usual team are here in this story; Watson, ('Elementary my dear Watkins'.... a play on the words of Sherlock Holmes but different spelling for this detective) Watson (nobody can pronounce his name correctly and this adds to the quick humour of these books) Inspector Cullot and the flozzy Stephanie.This is slap-stick, 1970s style humour at its best!

In Alan Hardy’s typically well-written, erudite fashion, this time we are introduced to not only a murder case involving a pair of yellow socks, we are privy to how the “famous” Detective Cullot solves his crimes. Much like a highly-skilled doctor, performing his rounds with his young interns in tow, Chief Detective Cullot is surrounded by newbie (and sometimes clueless) police detectives––and his daughter, Stephanie. Besides the fun of having the hunt for the murderer slowly play out, I was particularly taken with two people: the bumbling, yet kind Detective Blunt with a heart of gold, and Stephanie, who is constantly showing off how sharp she is, yet at the same time, still needs the approval of Daddy at every turn. Add a smoldering love and past cases that stumped Cullot, and you’ve got a winner! Definitely recommended.

Inspector Cullot is at it again! Love the wit and humour in these ‘whodunnit’ tales - they are hilarious! As per normal, nothing goes smoothly for the poor inspector, but then again - would it be any fun if it did? Another five star read from Mr Hardy. Can’t wait for the next adventure…

I’ve read a lot of this authors books, and the Inspector Cullot Mystery Series books are amongst his best, in my opinion. The Case Of The Torn Yellow Socks, does not disappoint. PC Blunt is one of my personal favourite characters. And what’s the relevance of the colour of the victims’ socks? You will have to read it to find out.

Another Great Read!I’ve read every book in the Inspector Cullot Mystery Series and could not wait for this installment.In “The Case Of The Torn Yellow Socks”, as with the other books, author Alan Hardy uses his skill at wordplay to provide an engaging and humorous book.Here’s an example:“Well, Team, what do you make of this anomaly?”“An-normally sir?” echoed a bewildered Blunt.“Anomaly, Blunt, something which is out of place that doesn’t fit,” explained an exasperated Watkins, to a snort of derision from Stephanie’s gorgeously flared nostrils.“Are you saying, sir, the gentlemen’s socks don’t fit him, that they’re the wrong size?”This gem is from Chapter 1. There is much more of this wordplay throughout the book.Although this is the fourth in the series, the great thing about these books is they can be read in any order. Once you read this one, I’m sure you’ll want to read the other three.