Death Has Deep Roots: A Second World War Mystery

By Michael Gilbert and Martin Edwards

Mystery crime fiction written in the Golden Age of Murder

An eager London crowd awaits the trial of Victoria Lamartine, hotel worker, ex-French Resistance fighter, and the only logical suspect for the murder of her supposed lover, Major Eric Thoseby. Lamartine—who once escaped from the clutches of the Gestapo—is set to meet her end at the gallows.

One final opportunity remains: the defendant calls on solicitor Nap Rumbold to replace the defence counsel,and grants an eight-day reprieve from the proceedings. Without any time to spare, Rumbold boards a ferry across the Channel, tracing the roots of the brutal murder back into the war-torn past.

Expertly combining authentic courtroom drama at the Old Bailey with a perilous quest for evidence across France, Death Has Deep Roots is an unorthodox marvel of the mystery genre.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sourcebooks
• Release date: Nov 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781492699545

Michael Gilbert

Born in Lincolnshire, England, Michael Francis Gilbert graduated in law from the University of London in 1937, shortly after which he first spent some time teaching at a prep-school which was followed by six years serving with the Royal Horse Artillery. During World War II he was captured following service in North Africa and Italy, and his prisoner-of-war experiences later leading to the writing of the acclaimed novel 'Death in Captivity' in 1952. After the war, Gilbert worked as a solicitor in London, but his writing continued throughout his legal career and in addition to novels he wrote stage plays and scripts for radio and television. He is, however, best remembered for his novels, which have been described as witty and meticulously-plotted espionage and police procedural thrillers, but which exemplify realism. HRF Keating stated that 'Smallbone Deceased' was amongst the 100 best crime and mystery books ever published. "The plot," wrote Keating, "is in every way as good as those of Agatha Christie at her best: as neatly dovetailed, as inherently complex yet retaining a decent credibility, and as full of cunningly-suggested red herrings." It featured Chief Inspector Hazlerigg, who went on to appear in later novels and short stories, and another series was built around Patrick Petrella, a London based police constable (later promoted) who was fluent in four languages and had a love for both poetry and fine wine. Other memorable characters around which Gilbert built stories included Calder and Behrens. They are elderly but quite amiable agents, who are nonetheless ruthless and prepared to take on tasks too much at the dirty end of the business for their younger colleagues. They are brought out of retirement periodically upon receiving a bank statement containing a code. Much of Michael Gilbert's writing was done on the train as he travelled from home to his office in London: "I always take a latish train to work," he explained in 1980, "and, of course, I go first class. I have no trouble in writing because I prepare a thorough synopsis beforehand.". After retirement from the law, however, he nevertheless continued and also reviewed for 'The Daily Telegraph', as well as editing 'The Oxford Book of Legal Anecdotes'. Gilbert was appointed CBE in 1980. Generally regarded as 'one of the elder statesmen of the British crime writing fraternity', he was a founder-member of the British Crime Writers' Association and in 1988 he was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America, before receiving the Lifetime 'Anthony' Achievement award at the 1990 Boucheron in London. Michael Gilbert died in 2006, aged ninety three, and was survived by his wife and their two sons and five daughters.

Reviews for Death Has Deep Roots

[vesper1931 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Victoria Lamartine, an ex-French Resistance fighter and now hotel worker is standing trial for the murder of her former manager in France, and alleged lover, Major Eric Thoseby. A seemingly straightforward trial as she is the only logical suspect.
Just before her trial she changes her defence counsel, and solicitor. The latter, with help try and find new evidence.
It took a few chapters to get into the book but then I came interested in the story and really enjoyed the unfolding of this well-written story.
Originally published in 1951
A NetGalley Book

[amaraki-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great fun and a swiftly paced page turner so I gave it a high rating --for me--within its genre. A French woman is accused of murdering a British major, and the mystery centers on events in wartime France where the woman was a member of the resistance working with the British. The tale develops and the mystery is gradually solved as the author skips between the British courtroom trial and the adventures of the young lawyer sleuth seeking evidence in France. The characters were likeable and the courtroom proceedings interesting and entertaining while the structure of the story was solid.

[brianewilliams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is an excellent blend of whodunnit murder mystery, detective thriller and courtroom drama. The story is set in post WW2 years, but there's a backstory centres on events occurring in France during the German Occupation in the war. The language is not dated even though the book was written in 1951.It begins with an accused killer changing her legal defence team on the eve of the beginning of her trial. Her previous team wanted her to plead guilty and throw herself n the mercy of the court. The suggestion is that they did not want to mount a vigorous defence out of either laziness or a lack of financial incentive. A new team comes in to prove that she's innocent.The story opens literally on the courtroom steps and moves through the trial process. This process is presented in clear language with minimal arcane legal jargon. The barristers are seasoned and act professionally, no phoney rhetoric or histrionics.Alternating with the court proceeding is the story of the detective work undertaken by a junior defence solicitor and a veteran British commando. The solicitor travels to France while the veteran stays in England. However, both face danger from people wanting to thwart their inquiries.The author is good at building suspense. With the detectives, it's the tension of the thriller -- can they elude their pursuers? In the courtroom, it's a race against time to find the information to prove the defence case before the end of the trial.All in all, it's a brilliant work of crime fiction: suspenseful, well-plotted and fast-paced with an ensemble cast of interesting characters. The description of post war rural France adds to the atmosphere in a meaningful way too. It's one of those books you want to read in one sitting.The comprehensive Introduction written by Martin Edwards provides insight into the author and the book.Recommended reading.Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for providing an advance reading copy of this eBook of the British Library Crime Classic edition. The comments about it are my own.

[cmbohn · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Stayed up late to finish this one. British courtroom drama that revolves around what happened on a French farm during World War II. I thought the last 1/4 of the book kind of lost steam, but it was still an enjoyable read. I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to find it, but if you come across it, it was fun.

[antiquary_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

More the kind of Gilbert I like --steeped in the atmosphere of the British bar --it alternates between trial scenes and scenes in which 2 investigators, one in England and one in France, are looking for evidence to support the defense. Some of the French scenes have a mildly humorous tone that reminds me of Manning Coles. Overall it is satisfying, but when I think about a couple of points, they do not seem consistent --two characters apparently were approved for settling in Britain on the basis of supposed information about their activities in France during WW2, but very cursory amateur investigation proves their stories (one in particular) obviously false. It is hard to believe the French and British governments would not have caught this.

[jetangen4571 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Crime Fiction, courtroom drama, England, post WW2, murder, suspense, thrillerEvents in occupied France result in a brisk courtroom drama of a murder in England utilizing investigators in both France and England. The accused is a woman who was active in the French Resistance and the victim was a British Major. If you get your nose into this one, it just might be glued there til the end! I requested and received a free ebook copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

[thornton37814 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Victoria Lamartine faces a charge of murder. Her alleged lover Major Thoseby's murder made her the most logical suspect. Attorney Nap Rumbold becomes a late replacement for the defense. Can he save his client from the gallows? Much of the book consists of hearings at the Old Bailey. Some shows Rumbold's activities in trying to clear his client. Lamartine participated in the French Resistance during World War II, and the mystery takes us back to that time to absolve her. Although I enjoyed Perry Mason mysteries during my junior high years, my love of the courtroom mystery did not continue into adulthood. I requested it based on the World War II connection and because of its British Library Crime Classics series designation. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would after discovering it was a courtroom setting. I consider it an average mystery. I received an advance electronic copy through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.

[eyes92c · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Classic British crime drama!If I were a 'courtroom drama' purist I'd be in seventh heaven over this reprint of this 1951 British Crime Classic. I'm not, and yet I found myself following the court action and the investigation process as avidly as if I were watching Rumpole of the Bailey.It's post World War II London. A young French woman, Victoria Lamartine, a former resistance member, and ex Gestapo prisoner has been accused of murder.Her victim is Major Eric Thoseby, her supposed lover and contact in France during the war.It looks like a cut and dried case. But at the last moment Victoria changes briefs and things go from a ho hum, 'Guilty as charged', murder case to 'High Drama.'Victoria's new defense team led by Hargest Macre with young solicitor Nap Rumbold are wily, thorough and astute. The investigations are visually clear and thrilling. As the case builds both in and outside the courtroom (Nap to France and back with former Commando and army officer Major Angus McCann) I was totally engaged. A compelling read!A Poisoned Pen Press ARC via NetGalley