Major Bricket and the Circus Corpse: The First Mystery in an Unputdownable New Cosy Crime Series

'A new Simon Brett novel is an event for mystery fans!' P.D. James

'Simon Brett writes stunning detective stories. I would recommend them to anyone' Jilly Cooper

Introducing a new, but not-so-amateur, sleuth from another peaceful English village with an alarmingly high death rate! The first mystery in a new cosy series from one of the world's favourite crime writers - perfect for fans of Richard Osmand, Janice Hallett, Robert Thorogood and M. C. Beaton.
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Meet Major Bricket, an infrequent resident of Highfield House in Stunston Peveril, Suffolk. In the past the Major's work assignments, frequently in foreign countries, have prevented him from spending much time there and as a result, there is an air of mystery around him while everyone in the village speculates on the nature of his occupation.

But now the Major has retired and has come home for good in his open-topped little red sports car... and what a homecoming it is, for lying spreadeagled on his lawn in the summer sunshine is the corpse of a clown.

The circus is in Stunston Peveril for the annual village fair, yet none of their quota of clowns is missing - or at least, nobody is saying. Could the body be that of an unfortunate early guest at the village's highlight of the social calendar, the Fincham Abbey Costume Ball?
Fortunately Major Bricket's past clandestine career means that he is now very well placed to solve the mystery of the dead clown on his camomile lawn . . .
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Praise for Simon Brett:

'Murder most enjoyable' Colin Dexter

'Few crime writers are so enchantingly gifted' Sunday Times

'Like a little malice in your mysteries? Some cynicism in your cozies? Simon Brett is happy to oblige' New York Times

'A delightful, thoroughly English whodunnit' Daily Mail

'The wittiest around' Antonia Fraser

Author: Simon Brett
Publisher: Constable & Robinson
Published: 10/21/2025
Pages: 352
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.10w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9781408721308


Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 04/01/2025 pg. 3

About the Author
SIMON BRETT is the author of over one hundred books, many of them crime novels, including the Charles Paris, Mrs Pargeter and Fethering series. Educated at Dulwich College and Wadham College, Oxford, Simon was chairman of the Crime Writers Association from 1986 to 1987 and of the Society of Authors from 1995 to 1997. He was also President of the Detection Club and was awarded the 2014 CWA Diamond Dagger. In 2016 he was awarded an OBE for services to literature. He lives near Arundel in West Sussex and is married with three grown-up children and six grandchildren.