Death for a Dietitian

In the latest entry in the series heretofore starring London barrister Robert Forsythe (Death for a Doctor, etc.), Giroux assigns the role of sleuth to Abigail ""Sandy'' Sanderson. On leave from duty as her Robby's maternal secretary, Sandy joins members of a house party on an island where a game of solving a pretend murder mystery becomes real. The victim, Felix Caspari, is loathed by several of the people present, Sandy learns, including his wife Alice. Felix had announced his intention to divorce her and wed one of the guests, bestselling author Dolores Carter-Wright, nee Maud Epstein. Then the chief suspect is also murdered, the group is marooned by a storm and the killer cuts the phone line. Red herrings abound in the story that nevertheless serves as a tense diversion with humorous moments leading to the brave and brainy spinster's triumph over the villain. The author's fans will appreciate the sentimental finish, as, together again, Robby and Sandy celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas. (March)