The Ha-Ha Case by J. J. Connington

Right off, you are wondering what a ha-ha is. It is a construction in very large British grounds such as those which surround stately homes which permits an undisturbed view of the scenery but prohibits animals from wandering out or in. A ditch is dug and a wall is constructed to the top of the ditch on the side from where the viewer would be looking. Thus the view is uninterrupted. An approaching animal from the other side of the ditch is prevented from entering the grounds by the wall.

Now to the mystery. It involves a dispute among the members of the Brandon family over what will be their inheritance from their father when he dies. Their father was a very reckless spender so that the only thing left for them is an entailed estate which they are not sure that they want. There are three brothers. Jim Brandon seems to be the level headed one. Johnnie, who is younger, is a wild careless man who is currently studying management with Mr. Laxford on his estate Edgehill. The older brother is Oswald who has been working on  tourist ships sailing around the world. Initially Jim has come to Edgehill to have a meeting with his brother and to discuss what should be done about the estate.

Mr Laxford decides a shooting party in the morning would be good start to the day. Early in the morning, Laxford, Jim, Johnnie and Mr Hay who is also staying at Edgehill, and who seems to be a business man of some sort, start out on the hunt for rabbits. During the course of the hunt, one of these four men will be dead and his body will be found near the ha-ha.

This will bring in the most curious character in the book, Inspector Hinton. He is completely sure that he is smarted than everybody else. He is sure that he will find the right solution to the identity of the murderer. He is sure that his sergeant is incompetent. Sir Clinton Driffield. the chief constable of the district recognizes Inspector Hinton's ego problems and treats him in a very kindly manner. In the course of the book, Sir Clinton will demonstrate his own skills in crime solving.

The solution of the crime involves a great deal of research into inheritance and insurance and other financial matters. There is also much investigation into the ballistics involved in the murder. In other words, it is very detail oriented. 

J. J. Connington was the pseudonym of Alfred Walter Stewart (1880 - 1947). He received a degree in Chemistry, and went on to become a chemistry professor at the University of Glasgow. During World War I, he worked for the admiralty. He retired in 1944 because of heart problems. The Ha Ha Case which is also known as The Brandon Case was published in 1934. Connington wrote 17 mysteries featuring Sir Clinton Driffield. He also wrote novels, and books on chemistry.