cover image Death at Deepwood Grange

Death at Deepwood Grange

Michael Underwood. St. Martin's Press, $12.95 (191pp) ISBN 978-0-312-18604-3

In his 30th novel (A Party to Murder, etc.) Underwood again centers on Rosa Epton, sophisticated criminal solicitor with chambers in London's Whitford Street. This time she is involved in a murder with a cast of characters reminiscent of Agatha Christie. Among them: Alison Tremlett, a hard porn author; Sir Wesley, a retired judge and his subdued wife; David Anderson, a man of mystery; and thrice-married Margaret Lakington, Rosa's godmother. All are tenants of Deepwood Grange, a converted minipalace in whose one deserted apartment is found a corpse stuffed in the chimney. Contributing to the twisty plot are a cockney jewel thief, a lawyer proficient in the martial arts and stubborn, blundering police officers. Wry humor and British understatement conspire to make this articulate mystery an intriguing exercise. (July 28)