The Isle’s Deemster, the most senior judge on the island, has been murdered and it’s down to Littlejohn to solve the case. But will he manage in time as events move at alarming speed involving forgery, smuggling and more murder. This fast paced mystery is full of Bellairs’ humour and wit, and leaves the reader on the edge of their seat. Half-Mast for the Deemster was first published in 1953. Inspector Thomas Littlejohn of Scotland Yard is a shrewd yet courteous sleuth who splits his time between quaint English villages, the scenic Isle of Man and French Provinces. With a sharp tongue and a dry sense of humour, Littlejohn approaches his work with poise and confidence, shifting through red-herrings and solving even the most perplexing of cases. ‘One of the subtlest and wittiest practitioners of the simon-pure British detective story’ – The New York Times ‘Mr Bellairs always gives good value’ – The Sunday Times ‘Pure British detective story’ – The New York Times