MURDER IN MINIATURE

A collection of 28 short—very short—stories by Leo Bruce (pseudonym of the late Rupert Croft-Cooke), all but one written in the 50's for the London Evening Standard. The stories share nearly identical plots—mostly involving the murder (designed to look like accident or suicide) of a character rich and often disagreeable, engineered by the victim's heir—wife, husband, nephew, etc. Summarily solved by Sergeant Beef or Sergeant Grebe, who share a talent for spotting the odd, out-of-focus detail, these bare-bones tales lack texture and resonance. Despite a few ingenious surprises and occasional ironic touches, then: a volume that adds little luster to the Bruce canon (Such is Death, etc.).