Julia Larwood and Michael Cantrip have decided to write a book together. Professor Hilary Tamar, feels that the proposed collaboration is fraught with difficulties occasioned by the difference in educational background, leading to a disparity of style. As the Professor put it ‘Julia was educated at Oxford, while Cantrip, poor boy, through no fault of his own, spent his formative years at the University of Cambridge.’
However, the collaboration looks set to fail after the first chapter, when Julia discovers that Cantrip has been instructed by Clemmie Derwent of the Solicitors Stingham & Grynn in a matter in the Channel islands. As the known expert in matters relating to taxation, Julia is as miffed as maggots. Cantrip all set for the golden beaches of Jersey finds himself on the Island of Sark, where according to Julia, witches abound. Cantrips adventures on the Islands of Jersey and subsequently Sark are recounted by a series of telex’s sent to 62 New Square, all commencing Yoo Hoo, there Larwood, me here. The reason for Cantrip’s presence is to advise on The Daffodil Settlement, the trustee being a Jersey Company owned by a Swiss outfit called the Eldelweiss Bank.. His companions in the matter, are Irishman Patrick Ardmore, Gabrielle di Silvabianca in charge of the Eldelweiss office in Monte Carlo. Edward Malvoisin, and an accountant Gideon Darkside purported to have a face like a skull and Crossbones. The original settlement made by Philippe Alexandre is now due for pay out, but bogged in murky waters owing to missing beneficiaries, no not exactly missing, the trustees just can’t remember who they are! It then comes to light that the only one who can name them died as a result of an accident the previous year.
When following Walpurgis night, there is a complete silence from Cantrip, but
the appearance of a body, not to mention the sudden appearance of old Welly
Boots, (Mr Justice Welladay,) Hilary Tamar takes a matters in hand. This is
utterly delightful. Very reminiscent of Wodehouse. Eve Haddon does justice to
the wonderful characters created by Sarah Cauldwell. We meet up again with all
the inmates of 62 New Square and have the great pleasure of meeting Cantrip’s
Uncle Hereward. Although particularly brilliant in portraying Ragwort, Selena
and Julia Larwood, her attempt at a Midlands accent was to put it bluntly, awful.
I suppose there are those that would say that the Midlands accent is awful,
but believe me done well, it does have a charm of its own. But let that not
distract you from an otherwise perfect few hours of entertainment. Heartily
recommended.
. ------
Lizzie Hayes
The other books are The Shortest Way To Hades, Thus was Adonis Murdered
and The Sybil In Her Grave