False Account

Bea Abbot’s new clients—Charlotte Tredgold, “a spinster of a certain age,” and her wealthy mother, Marcia—make an unfavorable first impression in Heley’s solid 13th Abbot Agency mystery (after 2018’s False Pride). The two women appear an hour and a half late for their appointment at Bea’s staffing agency, based in a large house on a quiet street in London’s Kensington neighborhood, and they refuse to use the steps leading to the agency’s basement office, since Marcia can’t manage them, entering via the front door instead. Charlotte tells Bea that they wish to hire new staff for their mansion in Mayfair, but Marcia later takes Bea aside and asks her to find out who killed Mitzi and Poppy, her beloved cats. Bea soon realizes that there is “something nasty in the woodpile at Tredgold House.” Murder, blackmail, fraud, and rudeness to domestics are just the tip of the iceberg. As usual, Bea smiles through gritted teeth when faced with a continuous stream of bad behavior. Those who enjoy seeing arrogant rich people get their comeuppance will be satisfied. Agent: Juliet Burton, Juliet Burton Literary (U.K.). (Apr.)