Alderley, the 17th-century country house of the Earl of Burford, provides the setting for Anderson's third 1930s madcap mystery (after The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cozy
and The Affair of the Mutilated Mink
). The somewhat batty earl is reluctant to open his house to visitors again, but his wife convinces him that this time will be different. After all, what could happen? The guests are coming only for one night and will all be family attending the funeral of an elderly relative. When one of the guests claims to know damaging secrets about those who are gathered together, no one really pays any attention to her until she turns up murdered. Knowing the routine, the earl immediately calls the doctor and the police and is somewhat relieved when Detective Chief Inspector Wilkins arrives, yet again. To complicate matters, Lady Geraldine, the earl's headstrong daughter, is determined to be the first to solve the mystery. With a cast that includes an MP, a King's Counsel and his ditzy blonde daughter, a ne'er-do-well nephew and, of course, the butler Merryweather, Anderson has created the perfect group for a delightful romp. And romp they do through a lighthearted tale of family feuds, practical jokes, lies and a myriad of tantalizing clues sure to entertain anyone who enjoys traditional puzzlers. (Dec. 5)
