Items related to The Franchise Affair
Robert Blair was about to knock off from a slow day at his law firm when the phone rang. It was Marion Sharpe on the line, a local woman of quiet disposition who lived with her mother at their decrepit country house, The Franchise. It appeared that she was in some serious trouble: Miss Sharpe and her mother were accused of brutally kidnapping a demure young woman named Betty Kane. Miss Kane’s claims seemed highly unlikely, even to Inspector Alan Grant of Scotland Yard, until she described her prison – the attic room with its cracked window, the kitchen, and the old trunks – which sounded remarkably like The Franchise. Yet Marion Sharpe claimed the Kane girl had never been there, let alone been held captive for an entire month! Not believing Betty Kane’s story, Solicitor Blair takes up the case and, in a dazzling feat of amateur detective work, solves the unbelievable mystery that stumped even Inspector Grant.
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Review:
Though Josephine Tey is not, perhaps, as well known as Agatha Christie, her contribution to the Golden Age of mysteries is unquestioned. In contrast to Christie, Tey rejected formulas and long-running series in favor of experimentation with new settings and odd conjunctions of character and subject matter. Her historical tale The Daughter of Time is frequently cited as one of the greatest mysteries of all time.
From the Inside Flap:
The Franchise Affair resembles some of the best work of Poe in its introduction of an apparently inhuman evil in an otherwise sedate country setting. Robert Blair, a lawyer who prides himself on his ability to avoid work of any significance, is interrupted one evening by a phone call from Marion Sharpe. Ms. Sharpe and her mother live in a run-down estate known as the Franchise, and their lives drew little attention until Betty Kane charged them with an unthinkable crime. Ms. Kane, having disappeared for a month, now says that she was held captive in the attic of the Franchise during her entire absence. While her story seems absurd, her recollection of minute details about the interior of the house sway even Scotland Yard. Blair--who Ms. Sharpe has chosen for her defense because, as she says, he is "someone of my own sort"--must dust off his neurons and undertake some serious sleuthing if his client is to beat these serious charges. As with all fine mysteries, one has the sense of being in a sea of clues with a solution just out of reach. The Franchise Affair is a classic mystery, and also a superb record of country life in early twentieth century England. --Patrick O'Kelley
Marion Sharpe and her mother seem an unlikely duo to be found on the wrong side of the law. Quiet and ordinary, they have led a peaceful and unremarkable life at their country home, The Franchise. Betty Kane, a demure young woman, accuses them of kidnapping and abuse. It takes Robert Blair, solicitor turned amateur detective, to solve the mystery that lies at the heart of The Franchise Affair .
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- PublisherWilliam Heinemann Ltd
- Publication date1970
- ISBN 10 0432165037
- ISBN 13 9780432165034
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages276
- Rating
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The Franchise Affair
Published by
William Heinemann Ltd
(1970)
ISBN 10: 0432165037
ISBN 13: 9780432165034
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 2
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Book Description Hardback. Condition: Fair. A readable copy of the book which may include some defects such as highlighting and notes. Cover and pages may be creased and show discolouration. Seller Inventory # GOR005796165
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The Franchise Affair
Published by
William Heinemann Ltd
(1970)
ISBN 10: 0432165037
ISBN 13: 9780432165034
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Acceptable. Ex library book, usual markings. Hardback with dust cover. Well read copy with some spine wear, leaning and staining but still very useable. Quick dispatch from UK seller. Seller Inventory # mon0000215087
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The Franchise Affair
Published by
Peter Davies Ltd, London
(1975)
ISBN 10: 0432165037
ISBN 13: 9780432165034
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Hardcover
First Edition
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. Jacket by Ray Russell (illustrator). 1st Edition. First published in 1948, this is an eighth impression of 1975. Ex library but with quite discreet stamps on copyright page, bottom of page block and rear endpapers. Some slight edge wear to top and bottom of jacket and spine, very slight lean, price clipped but price replaced with publisher's sticker (£9.95), no personal inscriptions, internally clean and tight, overall quite a reasonable copy of Josephine Tey's classic thriller. 272pp. Marion Sharpe and her mother seem an unlikely duo to be found on the wrong side of the law. Quiet and ordinary, they have led a peaceful and unremarkable life at their country home, The Franchise. Unremarkable that is, until the police turn up with a demure young woman on their doorstep. Not only does Betty Kane accuse them of kidnap and abuse, she can back up her claim with a detailed description of the attic room in which she was kept, right down to the crack in its round window. But there's something about Betty Kane's story that doesn't quite add up. Inspector Alan Grant of Scotland Yard is stumped. And it takes Robert Blair, local solicitor turned amateur detective, to solve the mystery that lies at the heart of The Franchise Affair. Seller Inventory # 003212
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