J.S. Fletcher's The Borough Treasurer drops us right into the heart of a scandal in the fictional town of Highmarket. When the trusted Borough Treasurer is found dead and public funds are gone, the easy conclusion is suicide and guilt. Case closed. Or is it?

The Story

The local authorities are ready to sweep it all under the rug to avoid a messy scandal. Enter Linford Pratt, a sharp and persistent young lawyer who isn't buying the official story. He starts poking around, and his investigation becomes a masterclass in peeling back the polite layers of a small community. He encounters a grieving but secretive family, town councillors more concerned with appearances than truth, and a web of financial dealings that don't quite line up. The mystery isn't solved with a single brilliant deduction, but through dogged legwork, careful observation of human nature, and realizing that in a small town, money and reputation are the most powerful motives of all.

Why You Should Read It

What I loved most was the atmosphere. Fletcher builds this incredibly tangible world of Edwardian England—the social hierarchies, the gossip, the immense weight of public duty and private shame. Linford Pratt is a great guide; he's not a flashy detective, but a determined professional using his wits. The joy is in watching him connect the dots that everyone else wants to ignore. The book is less about action and more about the tension that comes from asking the wrong questions in the right rooms. It's a thinking person's mystery where the crime feels real, and the solution is satisfying because it's earned.

Final Verdict

This book is a perfect match for readers who love classic mysteries in the vein of early 20th-century writers—think a grittier, more procedural take on a cozy setting. If you enjoy mysteries where the puzzle is rooted in character and community dynamics rather than forensic science, you'll be hooked. It's also a great pick for anyone fascinated by historical fiction that explores social pressures and morality. A thoroughly engaging and intelligent read from a master of the genre.