The False Inspector Dew

Infobox Book |
name = The False Inspector Dew


image_caption = Cover of the 1st US edition
author = Peter Lovesey
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = UK
language = English
genre = crime novel
publisher = Macmillan
pub_date = 11 March 1982
media_type = Print (Hardcover)
pages = 256 p.
isbn = ISBN 0333327489

The False Inspector Dew is a humorous crime novel by Peter Lovesey. It won the Gold Dagger award by the Crime Writers' Association in 1982 and has featured on many "Best of" list since.

Plot introduction

It is 1921, and Alma Webster, a reader of romances, is passionately in love with her dentist, Walter Baranov. There is only one foreseeable outcome: the murder of his wife. Inspired by the real-life Dr Crippen case, they plot a way to achieve it perfectly aboard the ocean liner, Mauretania. The dentist takes on the identity of Inspector Walter Dew, Crippen’s nemesis, but then a murder occurs aboard the ship and the the captain invites "Inspector Dew" to investigate.

Literary significance and reception

The novel is highly prased by many crime fiction critics and writers. Julian Symons in his book "Bloody Murder" referred to it as “one of the cleverest crime comedies of the past few years.” Famous crime writer Ruth Rendell said in a review: “A masterpiece. I defy anyone to foresee the outcome.”

Awards

*CWA Gold Dagger Award, 1982
*Listed in
*Listed in Hatchards 100 Top Crime Novels
*Listed in The Times 100 Best Crime Novels of the Twentieth Century
*Dagger of Daggers shortlist, 2006

Publication history

*1982, UK, London, Macmillan, ISBN 0333327489, Hardback
*1982, USA, Pantheon, ISBN 039452294X, Hardback
*1983, UK, Arrow Books, ISBN 0333327489, Paperback
*1983, USA, Pantheon, ISBN 0394713389, Paperback