False Alarm: An Abbott Agency Mystery

In Heley’s solid seventh Abbott Agency mystery (after 2011’s False Report), Bea Abbott sets out to determine who set a trap for business magnate Sir Lucas Ossett that resulted in his falling down the stairs of his London apartment building. Bea soon discovers that the target may instead have been Lady Ossett, Sir Lucas’s estranged wife. Other suspicious events in the building appear to be nothing more than cruel tricks at first, but a pet cat found dead of rat poison is the beginning of a string of fatal “accidents.” Meanwhile, Oliver, Bea’s adopted son, works to help Sir Lucas learn who’s trying to destroy his business empire, becomes entangled in the magnate’s ruthless dealings, and learns a hard lesson. In her search for the truth, Bea must closely study the building’s odd inhabitants—in particular a couple of relentless old gossips who cheerfully malign their fellow residents while making themselves indispensable. Traditional mystery fans will find enough to like. (Apr.)