Trouble on the Thames

First published in 1945, this charming entertainment from British author Bridges (1878–1972) stars Lt.-Cmdr. Owen Bradwell, a naval officer whose sudden onset of color-blindness sidelines him shortly before the outbreak of WWII. Luckily, Captain Greystoke of Naval Intelligence is keen to employ a smart young man like Bradwell to help foil a dastardly German spy ring led by the crooked Mark Craig. Meanwhile, Sally Deane, an interior decorator, is set to intervene on her sister’s behalf with vile blackmailer Granville Sutton, who is also trying to put the squeeze on Craig. Sutton meets a sticky end, and Bradwell wakes up next to his body after being hit with a cosh, just in time to be rescued by the pretty Miss Deane. Gents call each other “my dear chap,” and young women respond to news of murder with a heartfelt “gosh!” It’s all jolly good fun, though perhaps too light to appeal to today’s hardcore action junkies. (Oct.)