As with Thus Was Adonis Murdered, the plot is unfolded by a series of letters, this time written by Julia Larwood’s Aunt Regina (Reg), from her home in Parsons Haver, West Sussex. It seems that Aunt Regina and a couple of her conies have been enjoying gratifying success on the stock market. Indeed everything in which they invest, shoots through the roof, reaping considerable rewards for Reg and said cronies. All is going along spiffingly until the taxman gets a whiff and demands his cut. Hence Reg’s letter to Julia requesting help, as they have all, already spent the money.
Julia however, whilst concerned with her Aunt’s tax problem is even more concerned as to how these amateur investors have been able to make on the stock market a thousand per cent profit in such record time.
Selena meanwhile has a client with a dilemma which he lays squarely on her shoulders. Which of his two directors should he recommend succeed him on his retirement. He is keen to make the right decision in the light of some possible insider trading. Could Selena check them out?’ This amidst her masterminding the refurbishment of No 62 New Square. When finally all tenders are in, a builder selected and a convenient timetable agreed upon, Selena sits back with an air of satisfaction, nay with the air of a woman who has never had builders in before. Oh dear!
Meanwhile back in Parsons Haver, Aunt Regina relates the story of her unpopular neighbour, psychic counsellor Isabella del Comino who companion is a pet vulture. Whatever floats your boat!
There is much skullduggery afoot, we meet up briefly with Ragwort and young Michael Cantrip. Isabella’s dreadful niece Daphne and whole host of dubious characters. When a murder takes place in Parsons Haver, Julia calls on her old friend Professor Tamar to unravel the mystery and follow the money trail that appears to connect Julia’s Aunt Regina with insider dealing and fraud.
Eva Haddon was as wonderful as ever in conveying the marvellous, wickedly funny
prose of Sarah Cauldwell. My only regret is I know that I have only one more
to go in the series. Never mind I can always listen to them all again, they
will certainly bare a second listening, maybe even a third, or a fourth…..
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Lizzie Hayes
Other books in the series, Thus Was Adonis Murdered, The Sirens Sang of Murder and The Shortest Way to Hades.