Nobody’s Sweetheart Now: A Lady Adelaide Mystery

Set in England in 1924, this promising series launch from romance writer Robinson (the Ladies Unlaced series) introduces Lady Adelaide, the recent widow of Maj. Rupert Compton. Theirs “was not a happy union, and there was no one in Britain more relieved than Addie when Rupert smashed up his Hispano-Suiza on a quiet Cotswold country road with Mademoiselle Claudette Labelle in the passenger seat.” Six months after the funeral, Addie is preparing for a dinner party at her country house, Compton Chase, when Rupert’s ghost appears in her dressing room, offering unasked-for criticism about her dress: “far too flimsy and sheer and short.” It seems that Rupert must do some good deeds in order to be allowed into heaven. How he will do this is a mystery to them both. Addie joins her guests downstairs, but the dinner is interrupted when a dead—and nude—body is found in her barn. Insp. Devenand Hunter investigates, aided by Addie and the meddlesome spirit of her dead husband. Suspects abound among her guests. This paranormal cozy is light, frothy fun. (Nov.)