In a masterpiece of storytelling, Margery Allingham sends her elegant and engaging detective Albert Campion into the eccentric Palinode household, where there have been two suspicious deaths.
And if poisoning were not enough, there are also anonymous letters, sudden violence and a vanishing coffin. Meanwhile, the Palinodes go about their nocturnal business and Campion dices with danger in his efforts to find the truth.
This novel was originally published in 1948.
‘More than a little wit, and a great deal of brilliance.’ — Kirkus
‘The best of Margery Allingham’s work, like More Work for the Undertaker and The Tiger in the Smoke, well repay reading. And, as I well know, re-reading and re-reading.’— HRF Keating, Mystery Scene
‘Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light.’ — Agatha Christie
‘My very favourite of the four Queens of crime is Allingham’ — JK Rowling
‘Margery Allingham deserves to be rediscovered.’ — PD James
‘Spending an evening with Campion is one of life’s pure pleasures’ — The Sunday Times
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