Paul Temple

by Francis Durbridge

Debonair detective Paul Temple and his wife Steve Trent (a highly successful journalist he meets in Send for Paul Temple) is really a bestselling novelist. They live in London's fashionable Mayfair and also own a country house in the Vale of Evesham. They are what has been called 'graciously middle class', and spend their lives in elegant luxury as there is also inherited wealth behind contemporary high earnings. A manservant completes the household.

Temple investigates as part of his research and of course Steve looks forward to an exclusive story. Most of the cases he takes on - for which, incidentally, Sir Graham Forbes, of Scotland Yard should be eternally grateful - have plots that are intricate and involved, with a mastermind very often in the background. No matter what the hazard, or adventure, Steve is invariably at Temple's side, or occasionally in danger herself.

Paul Temple is certainly cerebral, and his adventures usually lead to cliff-hanger endings, albeit more verbal then physical, whilst Steve is essentially his perfect partner - inherently glamorous, supportive and with a sharp mind of her own.

Temple 

These titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels