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Wilkie Martin
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Inspector Hobbes and the Common People: Comedy Crime Fantasy (Unhuman Book 5) Kindle Edition

by Wilkie Martin (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,477 ratings
No stranger to fear since meeting the unhuman Inspector Hobbes, Andy Caplet fears getting fired from his reporting job (again).
His main concern, though, is a shady property developer who has designs on Sorenchester Common, and more annoyingly on his wife.

Perhaps a trip to the mountains will help him relax, but this proves even more perilous with foul weather, inedible food, brigands, and a terrifying cruise. Fortunately, mountain leopards, yetis and Flossy, the yak, take a shine to Andy.

Back in the Cotswolds, a child gets murdered and a new detective takes on the case. When Hobbes returns, he (with Andy’s dubious assistance) is relegated to hunting an enormous bird with killer feet. Meanwhile, Andy still worries about the common and the reclusive Common People (surely not yetis?), who will lose their homes if the housing development goes ahead.

This standalone novel is the fifth in Wilkie Martin’s unhuman series of cozy comedy crime fantasies.

Buy Inspector Hobbes and the Common People for a quirky crime with fantasy!
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  1. Book 5 of 5
    Unhuman
  2. Print length
    480 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    July 31, 2021
  5. File size
    1.5 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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From the Publisher

1 - Inspector Hobbes and the Blood
2 - Inspector Hobbes and the Curse
3 - Inspector Hobbes and the Gold Diggers
4 - Inspector Hobbes and the Bones
5 - Inspector Hobbes and the Common People
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Customer Reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars 2,751
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,680
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,859
4.4 out of 5 stars 2,198
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,477
Price $1.99 $3.99 $3.99 $3.99 $3.99
Inspector Hobbes, Andy Caplet, Mrs Goodfellow, Dregs ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Billy Shawcroft (dwarf), Featherlight (landlord) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Rocky ✓ no data ✓ no data no data
Les Bashem, Bernie Bulimore (werewolves) no data ✓ ✓ no data no data
Violet King, Felix King (werecats) no data ✓ no data no data no data
Kathleen Johnson (daughter?) no data no data ✓ no data no data
Daphne Duckworth no data no data ✓ ✓ ✓
Sid Sharples (vampire) no data no data ✓ ✓ ✓
Alvin Elwes, Aubrey Elwes, Hilda Elwes, Matilda Kielder, Solomon Slugg (elves) no data no data no data ✓ no data
Yetis, Not Yetis no data no data no data no data ✓

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B098FGYXJ3
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Witcherley Book Company (July 31, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 31, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1912348586
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 1,477 ratings

About the author

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Wilkie Martin

Wilkie Martin

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Wilkie Martin is a bestselling comedy and cozy mystery writer. He lives in the Cotswolds, UK with his partner in a town remarkably similar to the fictional Sorenchester of his unhuman series, although he has never come across a policeman there like Inspector Hobbes.

He loves cooking, especially curries which is why his characters tend to like things spicy and despite living as far away from the coast as is possible in the UK, he is a qualified scuba diving instructor.

Wilkie's latest book is a comedy crime fantasy story - Inspector Hobbes and the Common People.

There are now 5 books in his unhuman series of comedy cozy mystery fantasy novels, described by Cotswold Life magazine as 'odd, inventive and genuinely very funny indeed':

I - Inspector Hobbes and the Blood

II - Inspector Hobbes and the Curse

III - Inspector Hobbes and the Gold Diggers

IV - Inspector Hobbes and the Bones

V - Inspector Hobbes and the Common People

They can be read standalone but are best read in order. They are available on kindle, paperback, large print paperback, hardback and audiobooks.

Find the first 3 unhuman books together in his ebook bundle - First Ever Unhuman Bundle.

Find the first 4 unhuman books in the Hobbes omnibus (paperback, hardback and audiobook).

He also has a fantasy thriller - Razor

an a little book of silly verse - Relative Disasters - that chronicles the various humorous but fatal mishaps that happen to family members.

Children's books are written as Wilkie J. Martin, and a cookbook as his character A.C. Caplet.

For an update on when the next book is available visit his website http://www.wilkiemartin.com and signup for his newsletter.

Awards:

Inspector Hobbes and the Blood was shortlisted for the Impress Prize for New Writers 2012.

Inspector Hobbes and the Blood audiobook was a nominee for Audiobook Reviewer (ABR) Listener Award 2018 in Fantasy, Mystery, Humor.

Inspector Hobbes and the Bones audiobook WINNER of Indpendent Audiobook Award Fantasy 2019.

Inspector Hobbes and the Bones audiobook nominee VoiceArts Award Fantasy 2019.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,477 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a fantastic addition to the series, with exciting plots and plenty of action throughout. They appreciate the humor, with one customer highlighting the brilliant word play, and they enjoy the characters, with one noting how the protagonist's character is growing more solid. The book receives positive feedback for its diversity, with one customer describing it as a great foray into the world of the unhuman realm.

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24 customers mention "Readability"24 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy reading this series and find it fun, with one customer noting there are no boring fillers just action.

"...the food are *chef’s kiss* and the stories themselves are engaging, entertaining, and funny...." Read more

"Another great addition to the series. Well paced with great characters. I hope we got more of Hobbes and Andy…. and Dregs." Read more

"...I have truly enjoyed reading this series and I was really bummed out when I read the last page of the last book...." Read more

"...Inspector Hobbes series, this one is filed with lots of adventure and fun (with a bit of mystery too)...." Read more

22 customers mention "Humor"19 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, finding it good for a few chuckles, with one customer highlighting its brilliant word play.

"...’s kiss* and the stories themselves are engaging, entertaining, and funny...." Read more

"This book is loaded with puns; some great, some not...." Read more

"...pathetic and accidents-prone but surprisingly resilient and very likable Andy and a little scary and unhuman inspector Hobbes...." Read more

"An okay read. Writing is good. I love the premise and a world with room for the unexplained...." Read more

20 customers mention "Character development"16 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the characters in the book, with one noting how the protagonist's actions drive the story, while another mentions how the author brings back old characters for quick cameos.

"Another great addition to the series. Well paced with great characters. I hope we got more of Hobbes and Andy…. and Dregs." Read more

"...you to a new exotic location with Andy and Hobbes, brings back old characters for quick cameos, give plenty of descriptions of Mrs. Goodfellow's..." Read more

"...A lot of fun with great characters. Probably best to start at the beginning of the series, but not necessary." Read more

"...Gently amusing and the characters are likable...." Read more

18 customers mention "Story quality"18 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the exciting plots and adventures in each book, with one customer describing it as a cozy fantastical comedic horror mystery.

"...The descriptions of the food are *chef’s kiss* and the stories themselves are engaging, entertaining, and funny...." Read more

"...really only to continue to read the novels because of the unique plots of the stories and the actions of the main protagonist, Inspector Hobbes...." Read more

"An okay read. Writing is good. I love the premise and a world with room for the unexplained...." Read more

"...Even Dregs is more serious. Too, too bad. The plotting is better. In fact, we get two stories, only slightly connected...." Read more

3 customers mention "Diversity"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the diversity of the book, with one review noting its world with room for the unexplained, while another describes it as a great foray into the unhuman realm.

"An okay read. Writing is good. I love the premise and a world with room for the unexplained...." Read more

"Wonderfully diverse and interesting characters, new and interesting locations, and fast-paced, exciting plots in every book...." Read more

"Once again another great foray into the world of the unhuman realm with Inspector Hobbes at the lead...." Read more

3 customers mention "Food quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the food in the book.

"...There is also an exotic trip to Asia. And plenty of delicious meals enjoyed by Andy and described in a great detail...." Read more

"...Lots of fun, lame puns, physical comedy, and good food. I do wish Martin had had a professional copy editor...." Read more

"Delightful, Hobbes at his best...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely book, lovely series
    Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I need Wilkie Martin to write more in this series. And quickly!

    The descriptions of the food are *chef’s kiss* and the stories themselves are engaging, entertaining, and funny. I love all the characters I’m supposed to love and I’m annoyed at all the characters I’m supposed to be annoyed at. The author is a master at his craft. Cheers!
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  • Taylon
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good series, but strange…
    Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Not sure how Mr. Martin did it, but somehow he’s made me read five novels where I do not like the main character. Of course I’m talking about Andy and not Hobbes. Maybe Andy is an unknown Unhuman with the ability to make certain people like him despite his many, many faults.

    All of the side characters are great, but Andy just keeps getting on my nerves. Despite that I’ve just read the five books back to back so Martin is doing something right. Bravo to you!

    If book six comes around I’ll pounce on it like an angry Hobbes on some raw bones.
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  • Katherine Orho
    5.0 out of 5 stars So Many Puns
    Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This book is loaded with puns; some great, some not. But you'll have a ball finding them all in this crazy adventure as a newswriter becomes more hero than anyone suspected he was capable of being. But his biggest challenge is keeping his beautiful wife at his side and protecting her in all matters, for that is where his heart is.
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  • RussLesCo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the series....
    Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I've read the 5 book series and I'm very pleased with the character development of the narrator (Andy) of the books. With the first few books I was very put off with deadbeat, unskilled lifestyle portrayed by Andy, his actions made it hard to sympathize or relate to this character. I really only to continue to read the novels because of the unique plots of the stories and the actions of the main protagonist, Inspector Hobbes. Since the development of Andy into a character that has a job, a domestic life and morals, I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.
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  • J Cillus
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, great characters!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Another great addition to the series. Well paced with great characters. I hope we got more of Hobbes and Andy…. and Dregs.
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  • Klapaucjusz
    4.0 out of 5 stars Made me laugh
    Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I am a big fun of this series I am so glad there is finally a 5th book ! It can be read as stand alone but I think it is more fun to read them in order.
    All books future a little pathetic and accidents-prone but surprisingly resilient and very likable Andy and a little scary and unhuman inspector Hobbes. The other characters, human and unhuman vary a lot but many of them re-appear in different books.

    The current story introduces a new kind of unhumans; common people. There is, as usual, a criminal plot and abundance of Andy’s unfortunate (and funny) mishaps. There is also an exotic trip to Asia. And plenty of delicious meals enjoyed by Andy and described in a great detail.

    What I like the most about these books is that they make me laugh. There is a little less of language play in the current than in previous books, but there is still some.Let me give few examples;
    “The next day, I run into Hobbes outside the church. He helped me back to my feet”
    “Somebody call me an ambulance” , Very well sir, you are an ambulance”

    Bottom line; if you are in need of some careless laughing go for it
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Marina E. Michaels
    3.0 out of 5 stars Decently written
    Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    An okay read. Writing is good. I love the premise and a world with room for the unexplained.

    And I don't like leaving anything less than top reviews.

    However.

    I couldn't like the protagonist, even though I think the reader is supposed to. He isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer and has an unpleasant personality. He whines, feels sorry for himself, has weak ethics, is unreasonably jealous of his long-suffering wife (though he enjoys the thought of causing her pain by making her jealous), and is, in movie parlance, little more than a sexy lamp. He has no agency and the story could be told equally well without him in it. I can't think of any action he takes that affects the story in the slightest. He's repeatedly careless with secrets he's been asked to keep secret.

    The author's painful attempts at humor (a woman dies in the collapse of a yarn factory, summed up as "She died in the wool") didn't help.

    I suspect the author is going for a Three Men in a Boat vibe, but he hasn't reached it. Long ago, I read his first three books in this series and remember enjoying them. Maybe my sensibilities have changed. Maybe this volume was just off. Maybe a bit of both.

    Eventually I skipped to the end of the book to find out how the story came out. I often do that to see if a book is worth my time. If it is, I'll go back and read the entire story. In this case, it wasn't.

    I've read much worse and it's clear the author cares about his stories. But I won't be reading any more by this author.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Barrestwin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Still very good, but no longer rollercoaster.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Andy is no longer as intelligent. He used to know some history, and was well read. No more. Inspector Hobbes makes a few puns, a few jokes. He was always serious, but was always funny. Mrs Goodfellow is still a superb cook, but also much more serious. Even Dregs is more serious. Too, too bad.
    The plotting is better. In fact, we get two stories, only slightly connected.
    Even the unhuman, paranormal parts are more serious, but better described.
    Before this story, I was hoping there would be more.
    I am content to let this be the last. Unless we can have the lighthearted style back?
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • adrienne dunne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully written
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Great fantasy book, memorable characters, imaginative and funny
    Report
  • AGreen - Vancouver
    5.0 out of 5 stars A warm whimsical read
    Reviewed in Canada on August 12, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Unconventional characters with character contribute to yet another instalment in the series. I like the main protagonist because he's not afraid to do the right thing even when terrified.
    Report
  • Auraneas
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fifth book, hurray!
    Reviewed in Australia on August 15, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I've been a fan of the Inspector Hobbes books for a few years now, and I've always found that, on nearing the end of the fourth book, I was wishing there were more. Surprise! At last an addition to the series, just as good as the first four. Andy is as endearingly accident-prone as ever, though the consequences are now mitigated by the presence of his amazingly tolerant wife, Daphne. Inspector Hobbes, being the force of nature that he is, moves unstoppably through the story, saving the situation and Andy from breaking his neck. (Yetis may or may not make an appearance, depending on the Official Secrets Act.)
    Report
  • Cliente de Amazon
    4.0 out of 5 stars As good as usual
    Reviewed in Spain on November 8, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Funny and fast-paced as usual -- this book maybe with a bit of a far-fetched detour in the plot, but enjoyable at every page and turn all the same.
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  • Steph D
    4.0 out of 5 stars A jolly jape of a latest installment
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    These books are such an easy read, they are great fun! Do start from the first one to really understand the characters (I'm not sure it will make much sense if you don't), but they are all worth it.

    Just knocking this one a star because Andy was just a little too over stereotyped as a character for much of the beginning of the book, and it just didn't hold me quite as completely as previous books. That is a minor criticism, though.
    Report

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