Perry Trethowan and family are on their way home from a summer visit to his eccentric family in the family estate, when their car breaks down. They have to stay the night in the small village of Hutton-le-Dales and find lodging at a bed and breakfast. They step out for a drink at a local pub and wind up with Edith Wing sitting at their table.

Edith is a local and has been going through the papers of her cousin, who had left everything to her. Among the things she finds is a sheet of a manuscript that has the handwriting and markings by one of the Brontë sisters.

Edith has approached the Trethowans to find out what she should do. It seems her family had a connection to the Brontë family, but there is no definite proof her sheet is authentic. Perry suggests a couple of sources for her to talk to about authenticating it.

It turns out there are many people interested in the manuscript and some will go to extreme lengths to get hold of it. When Edith winds up in hospital from a brutal attack, Perry finds himself assigned to the case.

Perry may be a gentleman, but he isn’t afraid to get physically involved. A reverend, a librarian, two Norwegians, and a professor are all very interested in acquiring the manuscript, even if it takes a bit of torture to get hold of them.

Barnard writes a good read. The plot moves along well. The characters are well defined and the dialogue is good. There is a nice bit of humour that runs through the book too. ( )

Another mildly entertaining mystery featuring Superintendent Perry Trethowan of Scotland Yard. He is called on to investigate the theft of a possible lost Bronte manuscript. This was a quick read and just right for a change of pace from more serious fare.

A mysterious book or journal comes into the possession of an old lady. Could it be a missing Bronte manuscript? The answer to this forms the backbone of the plot in this entertaining mystery by Robert Barnard.

This isn't a new device, but in Barnard's skilled hands it transforms into a fun read. There's lots of humor, authentic Bronte lore (Barnard was a Bronte scholar), some fine Yorkshire atmosphere, and believable characters who have mixed motives. A must for Barnard fans or those who like a little literature with their mysteries. ( )

Barnard, who died September 2013, was a university lecturer and later chair of the Bronte Society. He drew on his extensive knowledge of the Brontes as well the characters of some eccentric academics in this tale. There are some interesting snippets about the Bronte sisters that explain why even potential manuscripts are sought-after and valuable. I enjoyed the witty lampooning of academics, some of whom I am sure I have met at one or more of the three universities where I have either studied or worked! I enjoyed this mystery although I deducted a half star for an unsatisfying end. ( )

Robert Barnard has been writing mystery fiction for 35 years or so and every now and then I pick one up, and wonder why I haven't read more of his books. They are well-written, usually have just the right amount of humor, and the characters are engaging. Most I've read have been stand-alones, but I realized recently that he's written two not-very-long series -- one featuring policeman Charlie Peace and the other Scotland Yard detective Perry Trethowan. [b:The Case of the Missing Bronte|221007|The Case of the Missing Bronte (Crime, Penguin)|Robert Barnard|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172820968s/221007.jpg|214004] is one of the latter. Although Trethowan is from Scotland Yard, the book takes place in Yorkshire -- Bronte country -- and deals with the theft of a hitherto-undiscovered manuscript by Emily Bronte. (In his other, academic, life, Barnard is a Bronte scholar.) The characters include weedy and annoying academics, truly scary thugs, and an oily clergyman who has a cult-like church and an eye for the main chance. Good fun and a quick read. Recommended. ( )