Sweating It Out With Dover by Joyce Porter

Joyce Porter was a British mystery author known for her witty and engaging crime novels. Born on February 17, 1924, in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England, Porter's literary career primarily spanned from the 1960s to the 1970s. She attended Queen Anne's School in Caversham and later studied Modern Languages at Somerville College, Oxford.
Porter gained recognition for her series of novels featuring the character Inspector Dover. The first book in the series, "Dover One," was published in 1964 and introduced readers to the unconventional and often bumbling Inspector Wilfred Dover. Despite his apparent lack of detective skills, Dover manages to solve crimes through his persistence and sheer luck, often with a dose of humor.
Throughout the series, Porter's writing style combined elements of traditional mystery with sharp wit and satire. Her characters were colorful and eccentric, and her plots were filled with unexpected twists and turns. The Inspector Dover series gained a dedicated following and established Porter as a respected author in the crime fiction genre.
In addition to her Inspector Dover series, Porter wrote several standalone novels and short stories. Her works were praised for their clever plotting, memorable characters, and clever dialogue.
Joyce Porter passed away on November 9, 1990, leaving behind a legacy of entertaining and engaging mysteries that continue to captivate readers. Her contributions to the genre remain beloved by fans of British crime fiction.

[@jennyb9641]

Joyce Porter and Inspector Dover are new to me. Most enjoyable. Thank you!

[@classicdetective]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@andrewlane4766]

Inspector Dover has long been a favourite of mine. Thanks for bringing his unique genius to a new audience

[@dwndmc]

Thank u excellent ❤

[@kathleenellenford4816]

Thankful for you for bringing Joyce Porter’s The Inspector Dover series forward! Best of entertainment!

[@debra333]

Hi, dear Tony! This was fantastic. I really enjoyed it, and yes, slowly put it together as Ms. Porter intended.❤

[@MaggieatPlay]

Oh, that was lovely, Tony! So nice to hear your voice narrating; although I have enjoyed your guest narrators as well. I second Marti for more of the uncharming Detective Dover, please!

[@martiwilliams4592]

Very amusing, I found myself laughing despite the pitchfork- in- the -back ugliness and the "well-of-course" reaction when I finally realized how it hung together. Love your narration and commentary. More of the uncharming detective Dover, please. Thank you, Tony!

[@along5925]

I loved this, Tony. These days I just need something mysterious, but not horrific. This filled the bill. Needed that little touch of whimsy. Putting full blown scary stuff on hold for a bit. Too much going on in the world for me. I'll be back, but right now need some giggles. Deeply sorry for your recent loss. ♥ Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents. Sent with affection to you and yours.

[@rebeccawoolfolk5377]

Dover! I love Dover.

[@Story-Voracious66]

Yay Tony, that was great! Short and sweat. Now if you had done Dover in your skouse accent, I would probably have died laughing. You made me chuckle out loud on your last ghost story chat, with your Liverpool parody, and that's almost impossible. ( I am not known for genuine giggles at all. But It's the silly, simple things that make me laugh. Thank you.) I'm listening whilst I roast, pound and grind for Mexican chili beans, with homemade Guacamole with tortillas. Perfect for dividend attention. Stay well Mr ( helping) Hand. 🙋

[@shelleymcafee8197]

This was great, Thanks!

[@classicdetective]

Very welcome

[@louisbrugnoni7639]

Dover RULES! ❤

[@soundsilence2604]

I loved this one. A nice change of pace. (And the cover art is epic!)

[@classicdetective]

Tyvm

[@AuntClara0911]

Loved this!

[@classicdetective]

Thank you

[@johnrohde5510]

Thanks for this excellent reading. The ultimate red herring is Dover's character; we don't like him and so feel we are being cleverer than him, identifying with McGregor. The true reveal is to see that Dover actually knows his job. He's an artisan not a gentleman philosopher. You do a great job of bringing this out in your summation. I would only quibble that the murder is improbable. Paying the lad £50 would have just set up a lifetime of blackmail. The husband showed by his murder of his first wife, that he is a man who thinks things through to the end and acts decisively to nip trouble in the bud. He's a stock broker, seeing trends and acting on his judgement are his business, just as catching villains is Dover's trade.

[@classicdetective]

Excellent comment.

[@thurayya8905]

The pilot for Columbo was shot in 1969 and the series premiered in 1971. One of my favorites. I am happy you found a good English detective series to read.

[@MrsWilberforce2]

Is your cover art a photo of American actor Charles Durning (The Sting, Dog Day Afternoon, Tootsie, etc.)?? B/c that's exactly who this looks like, even though I couldn't think of his name at 1st and it was driving me BANANAS! I'm so proud of myself for remembering Durning's name that I'll have to actually listen to the story later tonight, lol!

[@jdsteppenzyde]

Pretty sure that’s him. Great character actor.

[@christopherarmbruster6241]

U read very well.. good story also.

[@classicdetective]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@patriciaclark6171]

Kenneth Farnham does an excellent portrayal of Dover in audio books 👍

[@classicdetective]

Kenneth Cranham? Here he is www.audiobooks.co.uk/browse/narrator/192299/kenneth-cranham

[@lunablue745]

Have you seen the American detective show "Psych?" It is a hilarious duo of childhood best friends, Shawn and Gus. Shawn is believed to have psychic powers. He is actually very observant and because of this, everyone believes Shawn is psychic. The dynamic between Shawn and Gus is unlike anything I've seen before. I highly recommend!

[@classicdetective]

It sounds a tiny bit like Randall and Hopkirk (deceased) much I loved

[@lunablue745]

I hope I can find it to watch on the Internet!@@classicdetective

[@owenfarmer4197]

If you like Dover you could do well to listen to the radio 4 radio plays Absolutely brilliant This sounds like AI? it looses the deliver of brilliant written comedy

[@classicdetective]

I sound like AI? Wash your ears out.

[@peterbianchi6219]

I believe there was an "understanding", much earlier than the 60s, among some writers that it wasn't fair to the audience to keep clues (clews?) from the reader, forcing the authors to bring more complexity to the plots.

[@classicdetective]

I didn’t know that . Very interesting

[@samcaraway5500]

It's worth looking into the rules of the detective club in the 1930s, this includes VIII. The detective must not light on any clues are not instantly produced for the inspection of the reader And generally sets out an expectation of fair play

[@christinespaulding8332]

I didn’t like how it ended I expected them to confront the killer get a reason etc different way to end different isn’t always good

[@markgeary5897]

Kenneth Cranham IS Inspector Dover check out Audio books

[@classicdetective]

Here's a link to his audiobook store www.audiobooks.co.uk/browse/narrator/192299/kenneth-cranham

[@logothaironsides2942]

I thought maybe the young blokey had had too much interest in the classic car and had been bumped off in a moment of compulsive mania LOL

[@classicdetective]

:)

[@hw9066]

Very disappointing, you knew who did it in the first 10 minutes!😮

[@classicdetective]

Sorry about that

[@PippaAT]

I enjoyed the story, but can't match the accent with the picture. The accent conjures up a skinny, weasely little fellow.

[@classicdetective]

Fair point on reflection

[@jugronaut]

Listening to this was a big waste of time