Bird in the Hand [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Ann Cleeves (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1988

Young Tom French is found dead, lying in a marsh on the Norfolk coast, with his head bashed in and his binoculars still around his neck. One of the best birders in England, Tom put the village of Rushy on the birdwatching map. Everyone liked him. Or did they?
George Palmer-Jones, an elderly birdwatcher, decides to look into the crime. He finds mixed feelings aplenty, but remains baffled by a deed that could have been motivated by thwarted love, pure envy, or something else altogether. But as he and his fellow birders pursue rumors of rare sightings, George -- with help from his lovely wife, Molly -- gradually discovers the true markings of a killer. Now all he has to do is prove it . . . before the killer strikes again.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Young Tom French is found dead, lying in a marsh on the Norfolk coast, with his head bashed in and his binoculars still around his neck. One of the best birders in England, Tom put the village of Rushy on the birdwatching map. Everyone liked him. Or did they?
George Palmer-Jones, an elderly birdwatcher, decides to look into the crime. He finds mixed feelings aplenty, but remains baffled by a deed that could have been motivated by thwarted love, pure envy, or something else altogether. But as he and his fellow birders pursue rumors of rare sightings, George -- with help from his lovely wife, Molly -- gradually discovers the true markings of a killer. Now all he has to do is prove it . . . before the killer strikes again. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Ulverscroft Large Print (July 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0708918301
• ISBN-13: 978-0708918302
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,507,711 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The very best of British mysteries!, March 2, 2008

By 

Patrick W. Crabtree "The Old Grottomaster" (Lucasville, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bird in the Hand (Mass Market Paperback)

I've read hundreds of both British mysteries and cosy murders, including ALL of Christie, Tey, Sayers, Doyle, Marsh, Rinehart, Rendell, etc. -- Ann Cleeves clearly deserves to be mentioned in association with, or even elevated above, that notable league of authors.

"A Bird in the Hand" is one of my very favorite cozy murders ever. It's the story of a young and aggressive birdwatcher whose corpse turns up in the marshes of a nearby wildlife reserve. The victim was only ever superficially tolerated by his associates and, as retired Home Office investigator George Palmer-Jones investigates the murder, suspects begin to emerge like blue-bottles from a garbage can.

The author weaves in plenty of juicy clues and superlative sub-plots. There's plenty to savour here, not the least of which include the great locations and the gratifying atmosphere.

Palmer-Jones is a "gentleman detective" who is also infinitely human when it comes to occasional mis-steps and, thus, the reader is empowered to see the case from his point of view. It's through shrewd persistence that Palmer-Jones ultimately prevails.

This one is in my top five of all mysteries and I cannot say enough good about it.

3.0 out of 5 stars OK for birdwatchers, February 19, 2012

By 

Chris Leuchtenburg - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bird in the Hand (Mass Market Paperback)

A mystery about birdwatchers, twitcher and ringers, but not much else to say for it. The writing seemed halting and awkward, making it hard for me to follow. Not a page turner. But maybe that was at least in part due to the British setting. I may read another when I get an uncontrollable urge to read a mystery about birdwatchers, but not soon.