The Wintringham Mystery

Berkeley (1893–1971) combines humor with a golden age plot so baffling that Agatha Christie couldn’t solve it when this tantalizing mystery was originally serialized in 1926. London gadabout Stephen Munro, who must seek gainful employment after spending all his inheritance, lands a job as a footman at Wintringham Hall, the Sussex household of Lady Susan Carey. Fortuitously, Munro’s Jeeves-like valet, Ebenezer Bridger, whom Munro can no longer afford, has also joined Lady Susan’s staff. Soon after Munro begins life downstairs, Lady Susan hosts a house party. Munro struggles to adapt both to his new status as a servant and as the ex-boyfriend of guest Pauline Mainwaring, now engaged to one of the richest men in London. Lady Susan’s nephew Freddie Venables persuades the guests to join him in conducting a séance, but after the lights are turned back on, one of the participants has disappeared, despite all the room’s exits having been guarded. A murder follows. Munro and Bridger make an engaging investigative team reminiscent of Lord Peter Wimsey and Bunter. Fair play fans will enjoy seeing whether they can succeed where Christie failed. (Oct.)