In this classic mystery by Josephine Tey, a stranger named Brat Farrar arrives at the Ashby estate claiming to be Patrick Ashby—the long-lost heir who vanished years earlier and was presumed dead. Carefully coached in Patrick's history and mannerisms, Brat seems poised to pull off the perfect impersonation and claim the family fortune, but as he becomes entangled in the lives of the Ashbys, old secrets begin to surface, threatening not only his plan but his life.
Set in post-war England, Brat Farrar is a gripping tale of deception and suspense that explores themes of identity, inheritance... and the haunting power of secrets.
Josephine Tey (1896-1952) was a renowned author and one of the most celebrated figures in detective fiction. Tey initially pursued a career in theatre, writing plays before shifting her focus to novels, and her writing is characterised by psychological depth, strong character development, and a subversion of traditional crime fiction norms. Her most notable works include The Daughter of Time, Brat Farrar, and The Franchise Affair, and despite her relatively small output, her influence is significant, inspiring future generations of mystery writers.
In 2015, Val McDermid argued that Tey "cracked open the door" for later writers such as Patricia Highsmith and Ruth Rendell to explore the darker side of humanity, creating a bridge between the Golden Age of Detective Fiction and contemporary crime novels.
