Appleby and the Ospreys

Esteemed British scholar J. I. M. Stewart writes his witty, ingenious mysteries as Innes, whose indefatigable sleuth is Sir John Appleby. Although retired, Appleby immerses himself in the murder of Lord Oliver Osprey, as requested by the victim's widow. The detective and his wife had met weekend guests at the Ospreys' splendid county home, where a bat infestation was deplored by Miss Minnychip and other Dickensian types. Uninterested in the flying rodents, Appleby concentrates on Osprey's valuable coin collection, missing after his fatal stabbing. Questioning Mr. Broadwater, Lady Osprey's brother, saturnine son Adrian and all those present, the detective has definite suspicions but no solid evidence. It's a surprise to him when the pesky bats play a stunning role, confirming his intuitions and trapping the criminal. (June)