Death in Captivity

A man is found dead in an escape tunnel in an Italian prisoner of war camp. Did he die in an accidental collapse - or was this murder? Captain Henry 'Cuckoo' Goyles, master tunneller and amateur detective, takes up the case. This classic locked room mystery with a closed circle of suspects is woven together with a thrilling story of escape from the camp, as the Second World War nears its endgame and the British prisoners prepare to flee into the Italian countryside.

©1952 Michael Gilbert (P)2019 Soundings

Wow! What a hidden gem!!

How could I have never heard of Michael Gilbert before? An incredibly well written and well structured mystery set in a British officers POW camp in northern Italy at the end of WWII. Gilbert himself was captured and in such a camp, and so many of the details are fascinating and precise.

This is as much a World War II memoir, concise and clear, as it is a British mystery. It is not cozy nor is it gory. If you loved The Great Escape or other thrillers set in WWII such as The Eagle Has Landed, you will love this while appreciating the lack of over-dramatization. The authentic details and the restraint and integrity becoming a British officer of that time carry the day. There’s not a single woman character in the book, by the way, but as a woman, I was enthralled nonetheless.

I came across this in searching for other books read by this wonderful narrator, Gordon Griffin. I am so glad I did. Death in Captivity (not the great title it deserves) is a classic for the ages. And now off I go to look for other works narrated by Gordon Griffin. Wish me luck!

Just great!

My wife and I listened to this audiobook on a long car ride. It’s a fun story with interesting characters. The mystery is a complicated riddle. Can’t wait to see the movie someday.

A Murder Mystery Set in a Wartime Thriller

On top of the usual question of who-dunnit, the victim and his killer (or killers) are inmates (or administrators) of an Italian prisoner of war camp. These two sources of dramatic tension mesh perfectly: half amateur-detective story, half prisoner escape thriller. And Gordon Griffin is at his usual impeccable best.