May 26, 2014
At the start of Deering’s appealing third mystery set in 1930s England (after Death by the Book), Drew Farthering and his fiancée, Madeline Parker, are preparing for their wedding, when Fleur Landis, an old flame of Drew’s, reenters his life. Fleur, a former actress, wants Drew’s help: she’s the prime suspect in the fatal bludgeoning of John Ravenswood, the lead actor in her old theater group, with a champagne bottle. The police take Fleur into custody, but the death toll continues to rise, motivating Drew and Madeline to become involved. They’re helped by Nick Dennison, the estate manager for Drew’s wealthy family. Even in the midst of the investigation, however, wedding preparations continue apace. Deering successfully recreates a milieu familiar to fans of Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie. Agent: Wendy Lawton, Books & Such Literary Agency.