Detective Deville: The hilarious memoirs of a London Policeman(1 Detective DeVille)

DeVille started as a bobby on the beat and rose rapidly through the ranks of the Metropolitan Police to become one of their foremost detectives. The stories in this collection are based on his experiences and are all true - except one, and even that is true-to-life. DeVille dealt with many crimes and misdemeanours but always fairly, never over-stepping the mark. His stories reveal a caring and considerate approach to his criminal flock. At the same time these stories are often excursions into a curious land where truth is stranger than fiction and populated by uncommissioned police dogs, invisible cyclists, flying-horses, gorilla-suited interviewers, and straight-talking crickets. In fact the more serious his subject, the more hilarious the story he tells. In his tales of The London Village of Melsham, included in full in this collection, he shows his affection for the larger-than-life characters who once lived and worked in that place and who always kept him on his toes not so very long ago. DeVille did murders. Or rather he investigated them. And in telling his often grim tales, he reveals much about his own psychological make-up. In order to deal with the horrors of dismembered bodies and inconceivable wickedness, DeVille is driven to repeat his story, to repeat it to any and all who will listen. He regularly gathers a crowd of listeners and commands a table at the Pig & Whistle, somewhere in the depths of South London. Throughout this book DeVille confesses much to his Writer, who affectionately prods and prompts, revealing the full extent of DeVille's devotion to duty and the welfare of all. This is the true story of Detective DeVille of the Metropolitan Police, of Detective DeVille the Urban Shepherd.

Table of Contents:
Reward; Preface; A Policeman's Best Friend; The Invisible Cyclist; Mr Sayed Sadha's Carpet Emporium & Oriental Bazaar; A Metropolitan Mystery Tour; On the Other Side of the Street; The Royal Parks Policeman or The One That Got Away; The St Pancras Pantomime; The Columbo of Kensington; The Earls Court Hue & Cry; A Crime-Fighter's Career; Human Nature; What's in a Name?; A Twist of Fate; In Coram's Fields; A Tabloid Tale; Given A Chance; Operation Seaside; On Interviewing Considered as One of the Fine Arts; Pandora's Box; A Bad Business in Brighton; Cards, Capers and Collections; Curlers; Colwyn Bay Calling; The Grand Piano; The Good Samaritans; Confession of a Master Car Thief; Archie and the Cricket; Gorilla Tactics; The London Village of Melsham (Part 1); The London Village of Melsham (Part 2); The London Village of Melsham (Part 3); A Visit to Melsham; Acknowledgements;

About the Author :
After studying English at the University of London, Ivor spent several years living and working abroad. He taught English for a few years and then reinvented himself as an I.T. Consultant & Trainer. More recently he has worked as a project manager and facilitator in the public and charity sectors. Well known known as a songwriter and entertainer, Ivor has published several CDs with Presence, and The Bundell Brothers. His song Widow of War (2006) won the Netley Folk Club song-writing competition. Ivor has also written and performed his own work at music and poetry clubs across Hampshire and hosted Poetry Award events. His historical poem Talk to Me Omai was published in the newsletter of the Burney Society (2012) and the epic narrative Croydon was first performed in Croydon in the summer of 2016. His novel Fractal (2019) is a post-modern thriller about terrorism, spies and the uncertain identity of the writer. Recently retired he refuses to rest on his laurels and is preparing Randall for publication, working on a second Inspector Erasmus novel, and has recently recorded a new album.

Review :
"wonderful read, an inner glimpse of not just what the police do, but what they think as they do it. Entertaining and witty, a unique perspective." Mike, Met officer (retd.), New Zealand