29th January 2003
My Dear Fiona,
Well of course after writing about murders number one and two it was inevitable that Mr Anderson would write about number three. And he has done a wonderful job. Our third and final murder was very different from the two that preceded it.
Pa had said no more house parties. He didn’t show it, but he did feel very deeply about the things that happened at our ancestral home. But then Great Aunt Florrie died. She was lovely, and it seemed that she had always wanted to be buried at Burford. And the lawyer could only come to read the will by the last train, so what could be do? All the relatives had to stay.
Now who was there? There was Florrie’s granddaughter Dorothy and her stepmother Clara. Dreadful woman! She sold stories to the gossip columns and she tyrannised those girls. Wouldn’t let Dorry’s sister come to the funeral – apparently. Cousin Gregory and cousin Timothy. They’d had a big falling out and Ma did her level best to keep them apart. Timothy’s daughter Penelope. Cousin Stella. She was a journalist and she came back from America for the first time in years to come to the funeral. And Tommy of course. Oh and Aunt Florrie’s companion. What was her name? A strange woman.
The funeral went off very well, but the trouble started when we came back to the house for the will to be read. Aunt Florrie was an actress before she married, and let’s just say it turned into quite a drama! Some were very happy with their legacies, but some were just the opposite.
And that night, while I was downstairs with Dorry telling her about the first two murders, along came number three. It was a strange case. Cufflinks scattered at the scene. A card with a mysterious name appearing. Missing toothpaste. A suit of armour crashing over in the library, and some very strange behaviour!
Of course we had the wonderful Inspector Wilkins again. This time though I was determined that I was going to work it out for myself. And I did! But just as I was going to sort things out I got whacked over the head and knocked unconscious.
I missed a wonderful denouement in the drawing room. There was a lot more going on than murder that night! Fortunately Merryweather was just outside dusting – that man was a marvel – and he was able to tell me everything later. And Inspector Wilkins came to see me and go over the case. Wasn’t that kind? He was a lovely man, and so clever.
And so ended the Burford murders. Thank heavens!
So many years ago, but it feels like yesterday.
I have rambled on for quite long enough my dear. We’ll catch up on all of the family news and the gossip next time we meet.
My love to you all
Gerry x x x
*******
And now to the giveaway. I have copies of the first two Burford mysteries – The Affair of the Blood Stained Egg Cosy and The Affair of the Mutilated Mink - to give away. And I’m ready to send them anywhere in the world.
(They are part of a series, but each stands up on its own and they don’t need to be read in order.)
There’s just one thing I’d like you to do. Recommend Gerry a book.
Remember Mr Anderson’s books are based on events that happened years ago and that Gerry is now a grandmother – and eagerly awaiting the birth of her first great-grandchild.
She used to love Ariadne Oliver’s books, and she remembers her father bringing home wonderful stories when he met Lord Peter Wimsey at their club. Maybe there’s a golden age mystery that she missed, or one that she should re-read.
But she loves the modern world too and loves chatting with her grandchildren. All she asks for is great characters and a good story…
The giveaway is open until 22.00 GMT on Monday. I’ll make the draw and announce the winners shortly after.
Good luck!
Maybe she should read Gone With the Wind?
Loved this review!!!!! You are so very talented with words!!
Gerry says “What a wonderful suggestion. I love the film but I’ve never read the book. Thank you Staci!”
Do you think she would like stories about Irish village life? If so, I’d recommend the series of the Irish Country Village/Doctor/Girl. They look charming and are high on my list right now. If Gerry is adamant about mysteries, then I’ll have to suggest an Agatha Christie book. I’d say a Miss Marple would be nice. Murder at the Vicarage is my latest read and she can’t go wrong with that one.
Gerry says “Thank you for your suggestions Margot. I’ve had some lovely holidays in Ireland and I’m sure I’d enjoy about village life. And I love Miss Marple too.”
Sounds intriguing. I would recommend Peril at End House, whoch was the first Agatha Christie I read, features the wonderful Hercule Poirote, and is consequently my favourite Agatha Christie. Plus, seeing as Ariadne Oliver is a great friend of Hercule Poirot, I think that Gerry would enjoy this.
Gerry says “I have read a lot of books by Agatha Christie but I don’t remember Peril at End House. I love the title so I shall have to look out for a copy. Thank you!”
Ha, the Reading of the Will. My father is a solicitor and never once in his entire career did he have to read a will out loud. I don’t think it ever happens in real life but it makes for some great scenes in fiction!
Please enter me! This is the kind of book I’m always seeing at Hatchard’s and thinking I should try. Recommendations for Gerry…hm. I think I’ll have to go with another Miss Marple, At Bertram’s Hotel by Agatha Christie, Strong Poison by Dorothy L Sayers or Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey.
Gerry says “It’s lovely to have so many recommendations. I remember some of the names but not the plots!”
How about Patricia Wentworth’s lady detective Miss Maud Silver? “To all outward appearances she looks like a Victorian maiden aunt-but behind the knitting needles and the lace lurks an acute intelligence and a pair of scanning eyes which miss absolutely nothing.” (Does this sound like somebdy you know?) Recommend “Out of the Past” or “The Watersplash”.
And Gerry might like the Miss Zukas mysteries written by Jo Dereske featuring Bellehaven’s conscientious librarian Helma Zukas and her best friend Ruth, a six-foot tall bohemian artist. Recommend the first in the series “Miss Zukas and the library murders”.
Gerry says “I’m old enough to have had a Victorian maiden aunt you know. I like the sound of your suggestions and I’ll definitely be following them up. Thank you Sue!”