From Maurice Prior's review in The Spectator, 17 March 1967: "A fine example of an oblique murder mystery is Lonely Heart 4122 by Colin Watson. In provincial Flaxborough two marriage bureau lady members disappear. What connection has Lonely Heart 4122 - - identifying a retired naval commander and a bureau member - -with Miss Teatime, also playing the same game? Inspector Purbright has quite a problem to solve. Colin Watson, whose crime stories are unfortunately all too rare, purposefully, wittily and ingeniously executes a tour de force in this very good comedy whodunit."