Arthur William Upfield Knihy

V austrálskej pustatine neďaleko Fromovho dvora nájdu zavraždeného fotografa, mladého učiteľa – Erica Maidstona, ktorý prišiel počas letných prázdnin fotiť divoké zvieratá Austrálie pre jeden časopis. Polícia si nevie poradiť a vrah im uniká pomedzi prsty. Preto je na miesto činu vyslaný inšpektor Napoleon Bonaparte, prezývaný Bony. Arthur Upfield nestihol tento svoj poslední príbeh dopísat, dokončili ho preto ďalší dvaja autori – J.L. Price a Dorothy Stange.

Austrálsky spsovateľ Arthur Upfield obohatil detektívny žáner o celý rad svojsky napísaných príbehov, v ktorých nám predstavuje originálneho inšpektora s nemenej originálnym menom Napoleon Bonaparte. Jeho detektív je zvláštny muž tmavej pleti a prenikavo belasých očí, najdúch, miešanec, bezočivý, so zmyslom pre humor, a veľmi ľudský. O svojich rodičoch vie len toľko, že matka boľa domorodka, otec beloch a že od nich zdedil dary, ktoré ho predurčujú na detektívnu prácu vysokých kvalit: od matky vrodenú intuíciu, trpezlivosť a vytrvalosť, od otca inteligenciu, logiku, kombinačné schopnosti. To, že je miešanec, určuje veľmi presne jeho sociálne postavenie a „Bony“ dobre vie, že môže obstáť vo svojej práci, len ak sa nedopustí najmenšej chybičky; čo sa prepáči belochovi, znamenalo by uňho koniec detektívnej kariéry. ja si nemôžem dovoliť pomýliť sa, hovorieva sebavedome a púšťa sa do riešenia najkomplikova­nějších záhad, ktoré sa iným nedarí rozlúštiť. A prirodzene, že ich aj vyrieši. Upfield sa už postará o to, aby jeho hrdina vždy rozmotal dôkladne pozpletané uzly zločinu.

1. Inšpektor Bonaparte rieši záhadné únosy piatich dojčiat; 2. Riešenie záhady okolo mŕtvoly muža v kráteri; 3. Inšpektor s pomocou ľudí z panského sídla hľadá súvislosť mezi vraždami dvoch žien a jedného muža

Tři detektivní příběhy z exotického prostředí australského vnitrozemí: Vdovy z Broome / Zlověstné kameny / Bony kupuje ženu. *** Autor ve svých příbězích neposkytuje čtenářům jen zajímavou a dramatickou detektivní zápletku, ale osobitým způsobem evokuje australskou přírodu i celkovou atmosféru kontinentu, kde technická civilizace hraničí a prolíná se s divočinou. Upfield ve svých knihách stvořil dalšího z klasických, i když v Evropě méně známých, detektivů – inspektora Napoleona Bonaparta. (Jméno získal od pečovatelek v dětském domově podle objemného životopisu vojevůdce, který chtěl jako batole sníst.) Bony je tmavý míšenec, v kterém se snoubí aboriginské znalosti buše a civilizovaná kultura bílých přistěhovalců, díky čemuž vyřeší každý zapeklitý případ…

Australský detektiv Napoleon Bonaparte řeší svůj další případ.

Děj se odehrává v západním Queenslandu – jde o vyšetřování zmizení správce místní farmy. Ukazuje se, že zmizelý byl prudké povahy se sklonem k násilnostem a pověstný krutým zacházením k místním domorodcům. V příběhu se proplétají zájmy tří rodin bělošských usedlíků, generační předsudky a náklonnosti. Zvláštní druh napětí přináši do děje přítomnost domorodých Australanů s jejich rituálními obřady a kouzly.

Upfieldovým detektivem Napoleonem Bonapartem, důvěrně zvaným Bony, vstoupila do řad proslulých „literárních“ detektivů výrazná a zajímavá postava, jejíž příběhy četli a sledovali se zájmem čtenáři na celém světě. Bony je míšenec, syn australské domorodky a bělocha, a vděčí svému původu za dvě příznivé okolnosti, které mu velmi pomáhají v řešení jeho případů. V první řadě má neobyčejně citlivý smysl pro přírodu a všechny její změny, které k němu mluví zřetelnou, názornou řečí, a prozradí mu víc než ostatním. Dále dovede obratně využít přezíravého postoje, jaký k domorodcům a míšencům zaujímají někteří běloši. Tito lidé považují míšence za primitivní a omezené lidi, a jestliže mají co skrývat, jsou vůči Bonymu většinou méně obezřetní, než by byli jinak. Bonyho vede často povinnost za vyšetřováním zločinu daleko od velkých měst, do australského buše. Takové případy dávají Upfieldovi příležitost blýsknout se výbornou znalostí australské přírody a uměním, jak ji názorně, v celé její kráse, přiblížit čtenáři. Zánik jezera je v tomto směru jednou z nejzdařilejších Upfieldových knížek. Je příběhem, ke kterému se čtenář může ještě často vrátit, neboť zajímavost textu se tu zdaleka nevyčerpává jen detektivní zápletkou a jejím rozuzlením.

Detective-Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte leaves his familiar outback environment for Melbourne and a nearby mountain resort on special assignment for Military Intelligence. Although out of his element among city people, Bony displays his characteristic skills to interpret some puzzling clues and catch a murderer providing the ingredients for another fascinating Arthur Upfield mystery.

Set in the remote Murchison region of Western Australia, the story follows policeman Harry Tremayne as he searches for his missing brother, who disappeared while probing the murder of a police detective. As Harry delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers potential connections to gold smugglers at Breakaway House, raising questions about their involvement in the mystery surrounding his brother's fate. The narrative weaves suspense and intrigue against a backdrop of isolation and danger.

Myra Thomas, apparently dressed only in nightgown and slippers, has walked off the train somewhere along the 650 kilometres of track that crosses the Nullabor Plain. With two camels and a dog, Bony begins to search the desert, only to find a group of people imprisoned in the extensive limestone caves beneath the plain...

Two men are killed by cyanide poisoning before Bony comes to Broken Hill to take up the case, and a third dies soon after he arrives. All die in crowded public places, and all are elderly and single. Witnesses recall a woman being near each man before he died, but their descriptions seem to be of entirely different women. Clues are old and witnesses have been mishandled by an inept investigator before Bony arrives in the prosperous mining town, but with the help of the local constabulary, a professional burglar vacationing in Broken Hill, and an amateur quick-sketch artist, Inspector Bonaparte mounts an investigation to identify the murderer before she finds another victim.

The investigation into the mysterious death of renowned author Mervyn Blake unfolds through the keen observations of Detective-Inspector Bonaparte. As he navigates a web of clues—including a cat, a ping-pong ball, and a drunken gardener—Bony delves into human nature to uncover the truth. This mystery stands out as one of the few not set in the outback, showcasing the author's creativity and ingenuity in crafting a compelling narrative filled with intrigue and unexpected revelations.

The discovery of a stolen red monoplane on the dry, flat bottom of Emu Lake meant many things for different folks. For Elizabeth Nettlefold, the chance to nurse its strangely ill meant renewed purpose in life. For Dr Knowles, brilliant physician and town drunk, it meant the revival of a romantic dream. For some it meant a murder plan gone awry, and for Bonaparte, it meant one of the toughest cases of his career. 'Bony - a unique figure among top-flight detectives.' - BBC

Detective-Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte is on leave, staying with an old friend near Adelaide. Ben Wickham, a meteorologist whose uncannily accurate weather forecasts had helped farmers all over Australia, lived nearby.Ben died after a three-week drinking binge and a doctor certified death as due to delirium tremens - but Bony's host insists that whatever Ben died of it was alcohol...

The narrative revolves around the mysterious murder of King Henry, an Aboriginal man from Western Australia, in New South Wales. It explores the long-standing feud that culminated in his death after nineteen years and delves into the intriguing role of a woman who witnessed the crime yet chose to remain silent. The story weaves themes of conflict, cultural tensions, and the complexities of human relationships against a backdrop of historical and social issues.

Set in the sun-drenched town of Broome, Australia, the story follows Detective-Inspector Bonaparte as he investigates the mysterious murders of two attractive widows. In a close-knit community where secrets abound, Bonaparte's calm and precise approach is tested when the killer strikes again. As he delves deeper, he realizes he is up against a madman, intensifying the urgency of his investigation. The narrative weaves suspense and intrigue, highlighting the challenges of uncovering truth in a place where everyone is interconnected.

Jack Anderson was a big man with a foul temper, a sadist and a drunk. Five months after his horse appeared riderless, no trace of the man has surfaced and no one seems to care. But Bony is determined to follow the cold trail and smoke out some answers.

A mysterious murder unfolds at Split Point Lighthouse, where a man's nude body is found entombed in the walls. Inspector Bonaparte, known as Bony, investigates the strange circumstances surrounding the case, including a midnight coffin relocation and a confrontation between a girl and Dick Lake. As he delves deeper, he uncovers connections to the notorious Bully Buccaneers and their dark dealings. With high stakes and a determination to succeed, Bony must unravel the truth where others might falter.

Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, the half-aborigine detective, arrives in the drought-stricken outback of New South Wales. At a desolate sheep station two men have been savagely beaten to death. Clues are scarce in the sun-baked, sand-blown country. But Bony's understanding of the bush and the people who live there--both black and white--leads him inexorably to the killer. As rain floods the parched land, Bony's premonition of disaster is fulfilled.

The narrative captures a journey of discovery inspired by Zane Grey's writings, leading to the enchanting town of Bermagui. The vivid descriptions evoke the refreshing air, lush surroundings, and the soothing sounds of surf against the sandy beach. The protagonist is drawn to the natural beauty and tranquility of the area, highlighting a deep appreciation for its landscape and atmosphere. This exploration reflects a personal connection to place and the allure of nature.

The mysterious circumstances surrounding Luke Marks' disappearance raise questions of foul play versus misfortune in Windee. As local police theorize that he succumbed to a dust-storm, detective Bony uncovers discrepancies in a police photograph that hint at deeper secrets. The investigation leads to revelations tied to the notorious Snowy Rowles murder trial, intertwining past events with the present enigma. The narrative explores themes of justice and the hidden truths lurking beneath the surface of a seemingly quiet town.

Merino is an isolated town in New South Wales. Posing as a laborer, Bony goes there to investigate the murder of a vagrant and soon discovers a murderous tangle of motives and suspects. There are some very engaging characters and some excellent trakcing scenes leading to a suspenseful finish.

Set against the backdrop of Western Australia's wheat belt, a wrecked car near the rabbit-proof fence raises suspicions of foul play. With the owner, George Loftus, missing, investigator Bonaparte fears the worst and embarks on a quest to uncover the truth. As he delves deeper, the mystery of Loftus's disappearance intertwines with themes of deception and the harsh realities of the Australian landscape, driving Bonaparte to seek both the body and the murderer.

Three men set out from a small Australian seaside town for an ordinary day's fishing--and simply vanish. There are no clues to their fate, until another fisherman hauls in a gruesome catch--the head of one of the men, with a bullet hole in its temple.

The mysterious death of Eric Maidstone near the Dingo-proof Fence raises questions when initial suspicions of a camel attack are dismissed due to a bullet wound. As Bony, disguised as a worker, delves into the investigation, he seeks to uncover the truth behind Maidstone's murder. Set against a backdrop of intrigue, the story unfolds with twists that challenge perceptions and reveal hidden motives.

Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte investigates the murder of an unidentified man, who was discovered dead in a meteor crater in the desert

The story follows Austilene Thorpe, who, after being accused of murder, mysteriously vanishes from prison. Her fiancé, Martin Sherwood, is left devastated and goes blind from the shock. Meanwhile, Martin's adventurous brother Monty discovers that Austilene is hiding in a refuge for murderers in remote New South Wales. The brothers embark on a perilous journey to locate her and return to Melbourne, navigating the challenges of love, loyalty, and the quest for truth.

In October two young girls set out for a walk in the Grampian Mountains of Australia. They are never seen again, and the policeman who is sent to investigate is murdered. Now it is March, and Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte attempts to solve the mystery.

The Answerth family's mansion seems to deserve its nickname of Venom House - perhaps because of its forbidding setting, an island in the centre of a man-made lake, its treacherous waters studded by the skeletons of long-dead trees. Perhaps it's because of the unquiet ghosts of the Aboriginals slaughtered by the Answerth ancestors. Whatever the reason, most people are content to give Venom House and its occupants a wide berth... until a couple of corpses turn up in the lake. Inspector Bonaparte has a sudden urge to get to knows the Answerths and their charming home much better...

Reprint of Australian detective story first published in 1955. By the author of TDeath of aLake', TBony and the Black Virgin' and other detective novels, this story finds Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte in WA in search of the murderer of a police constable.

Kein Fremder wagt sich in das südaustralische Tal Cork Valley, in dem die Nachfahren einer irischen Gangsterbande hausen. Eines Tages schleust sich Inspector Bonaparte in die Gemeinschaft ein. Als er in ein Netz von Schwarzbrennerei, Gewalt und Mord gerät, wird es richtig spannend... § Schafzüchter, Opalschürfer und Goldsucher: Als Upfield zu Beginn des Jahrhunderts den australischen Kontinent per Anhalter besuchte, schlug er sich mit Gelegenheitsarbeiten durch. Seine Erfahrungen fanden Eingang in die Romane um Inspektor Bonaparte, auch Bony genannt.

Der unvergleichliche Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte ist zurück und muss nun einen seiner rätselhaftesten Fälle lösen.