Just So Stories

 Introduction by Martin Edwards

New South Books

British Library Publishing

December 2025

ISBN: 9780712355438

RRP: AUD$22.99, NZD$27.99

I 100% guarantee you that I had no idea whatsoever that Nina Bawden, the talented writer of Carrie’s War and The Peppermint Pig – two of my favourite classic children’s books – also wrote some adult novels. Not just adult novels but gritty and tricky mysteries at that.

This is another of the surprise bundle sent to me just before Xmas and a keen read for my blog break, but of course I’m reviewing it for your pleasure as well. First published in the mid 1950s, this is completely redolent of the period, and that echo of the films noir of that era.

Will Hunt, competent but fairly innocuous solicitor is summoned by his distraught old friend, Celia. His friend is distressed because a very young woman has turned up at her home claiming to be pregnant by Celia’s husband, Humphrey. While Will and Humphrey have been friends as well, for a very long time, there is no doubt that Will is more often than not, completely scorned by Humphrey who thinks he is a very superior human.

However, Humphrey is completely aghast at the suggestion of young Rose’s claim, but when the girl goes missing, and a dead body believed to be her is fished out of a London canal, a dark and twisted story unravels. Humphrey had been ‘in love’ with the girl but claims no responsibility for her pregnancy. His brother, who is a complete snake, is his alibi, and as it happens, one of the shifitiest and most dangerous men in town, and a sleazy nightclub he uses to conduct his business, appears to be at the epicentre of all this mess.

Begged by Celia for help and by Humphrey to be his legal counsel, Will reluctantly starts investigating around the periphery of these very unsavoury characters. It’s a winding path full of red herrings but utterly enjoyable which, despite its age, holds up really well.

I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish – though the print is a little tiny so more difficult at night. I solved that problem by having a nice lie-down in the afternoon and devouring it then!

Nina Bawden’s writing in this space is equally as elegant as her children’s books and what a joy to discover it. I am going to look out for her other crime novel at the very least. I happily give it a 5 🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♀️rating for general reading, but likely only adults.