The Glade Manor Murder

As has been evidenced in her many previous mysteries ( Unhappy Returns ), Lemarchand's forte is character development, and she delineates some memorable characters here. The appealing Morley family lives in a comfortable manor house in the tranquil English countryside, looked after by their devoted former nursemaid, now housekeeper, Nanky. Patriarch John Morley is a well-known book restorer, a business his son Richard is beginning to take over; daughter-in-law Gail does research for the firm and for a historical society. Another, adopted, son, Adrian, is an Oxford professor. When John's first wife, Fenella, the mother of Richard, died, John married her closest friend, with the approval of all. The family is cast into turmoil when the body of their beloved housekeeper is found in a quarry, having been thrown from a cliff; the body of the family dog lies nearby. Chief Detective Superintendent Tom Pollard is called in to solve the case. The mystery here isn't much, and is telegraphed very early, but that's no matter. One reads this novel to get to know the people. ( Oct. )