When a mysterious lodger named Hopjoy vanishes from Flaxborough, it’s altogether possible his disappearance has something to do with the malfunctioning of a bathtub drain, which is why the neighbors are treated to the sight of Inspector Purbright, Sergeant Sid Love, and any number of uniformed policemen removing the offending fixture from 14 Beatrice Lane. It turns out that Hopjoy was an operative for a top-secret counterespionage agency, and it’s not long before two of his colleagues, Major Ross and Major Pumphrey, turn up looking for him. The usual comedy of errors and biting social satire the author was known for ensue, with Purbright getting to the bottom of things in his usual no-nonsense fashion while confusion reigns for the clueless outsiders to Flaxborough. First published in 1962, it’s an affectionate spoof of popular British spy fiction. Winner of the Silver Dagger from the British Crime Writers' Association.

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