As Murder at Mallowan Hall begins, Phyllida Bright, the efficient housekeeper of Agatha Christie, aka Lady Mallowan, is astonished to discover the body of a man with a fountain pen sticking out of his neck. Mrs. Bright (whom the stodgy butler finds far too youthful to be a housekeeper) promptly calls the constabulary, and then informs the butler and the Mallowans. Both the police and the butler are miffed at the housekeeper's calm response, although Mrs. Mallowan's creative fancies are tickled. Inspired by the fictional detectives of her mistress, Mrs. Bright decides to use her position to her advantage, and begins to investigate the crime on her own, with a series of clever deductions.
The Mallowans have a house party going on, and the dead man was a last-minute arrival. Could one of the guests, or--horror of horrors--a member of the staff be responsible for the brutal attack? Mrs. Bright is determined to find out, and doesn't let the disapprobation of butlers or Scotland Yard inspectors dissuade her.
Charmingly told, with a full upstairs-downstairs cast of guests and servants, Murder at Mallowan Hall is a wonderful mystery by Colleen Cambridge (a pseudonym for a bestselling author). Readers are sure to keep guessing as they enjoy getting to know the servants and guests through the shrewd eyes of Mrs. Bright. Fans of Agatha Christie, historical fiction and fierce female leads are all sure to enjoy Murder at Mallowan Hall, the first in a planned historical mystery series. --Jessica Howard, bookseller at Bookmans, Tucson, Ariz.