The Great Betrayal

In Oldfield's (Betrothed) latest light, but satisfying, mystery, set in 1904 London, Lydia Daye's elderly father and young son consume her time and energy, while her adored husband John (supposedly working in a top secret government job) is rarely home. Two miles away, unwed and six months pregnant Dolly Ellerway, lives in crimped circumstances with her mother and sister. She happily accepts her lover Don's offer of marriage, though Don can only afford a private ceremony without family or friends. Alleged salesman Don is rarely home, so newlywed Dolly moves into lodgings that she must share with Don's brother Sid. When a letter written by Lydia to her husband arrives at Dolly's home (with a fictitious office number), Dolly returns the letter to Lydia along with her own note, which worries Lydia, and arouses the suspicions of the young policeman boarding with the Daye family. Ever-ambitious, the policeman diligently pursues connections between several jewel thieves and the missing husband (or husbands) in this fast-paced tale of deception. (Nov.)