Droll rather than humorous, Hopjoy was Here is definitely different from the standard English village cozy.
Inspector Purbright receives an anonymous letter from a neighbor of the male roommates Hopjoy and Periam about a fight in their bathroom. Hopjoy is working for a mysterious (CIAesque) agency. Was Hopjoy or Periam murdered using acid in their own bathtub?
Unusual murder method, spies, formal British language, and passé humor, the book is not for everyone. The village characters are the best part. Difficult to rate but 3 stars–onto the next in the series.
Thanks to Farrago and NetGalley for a copy.
