Friday, June 4, 2010

THE AFFAIR OF THE THIRTY-NINE CUFFLINKS

TITLE: THE AFFAIR OF THE THIRTY-NINE CUFFLINKS
AUTHOR: JAMES ANDERSON
Pages: 371
Date: 04/02/2010
Grade: 4+
Details: no. 3 Chief Inspector Wilkins Mystery
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This was such a fun mystery. I really enjoyed reading it and will have to try and find the two previous titles.
The mystery is written in the classical format. A murder in a country house setting, with only a limited amount of possible suspects, most of whom have something to hide and an investigator who appears to be relaxed and not very clever but of course turns out to be quite the opposite.
Lord Burford really doesn't want to host another house party at Alderly since on two previous occasions they lead to murder. But when the occasion is the funeral and the reading of the will of an elderly relative, he has little choice but agree to let his distant relatives stay in his house.
Of course things go horribly wrong. After the will has been read one of the guests angrily exclaims that she knows secrets about all those present and won't hesitate to make the public. When the woman is subsequently found murdered in her bed, Lord Burford is very relieved that it is Chief Inspector Wilkins who is in charge of the investigation.
Gerry, the lord's daughter however is excited at the opportunity to conduct her own investigation. An undertaking not without risks.
As I said, a very likable cozy mystery, even if I had the murderer figured out fairly early on.

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