Tuesday 19 January 2021

Golden Age (28) : The Flying Squad

The Flying Squad in this novel by Edgar Wallace is indeed the famous Metropolitan Police unit though don't expect a Sweeney-esque romp here. Instead is a decent if largely unoriginal crime tale set mostly in the dingier parts of London.

Bradley is the police inspector aiming to bring down drug smuggling gangs in the London docks. Linked to the hoods is Anna who wrongly believes Bradley was responsible for her brother's death. As the story progresses her resolve and hatred for Bradley wanes. Naturally they fall in love and head off to... Brazil? 

Although a reasonable read the story does run in circles frequently and would have been much improved with a bit of editing. Some of the characters, especially Anna, often act quite odd.