Murder Comes to Call (A Beryl and Edwina Mystery)

About this book

The lean years following World War I can lead to desperate acts--even in the quiet English village of Walmsley Parva. When a series of burglaries seems to culminate in murder brash American Beryl Helliwell and proper buttoned up Brit Edwina Davenport (and her dog Crumpet) are eager to solve the case in Jessica Ellicotts fourth Beryl and Edwina Mystery... World-renowned adventuress Beryl Helliwell cited for "reckless" motoring? Why the very idea! Constable Gibbs just has it in for her. The solution? Charm the magistrate of course. But days after Beryls appearance before the bench she and Edwina pay a visit to the magistrate only to find his home ransacked and the man himself lying dead at the bottom of a grand staircase. Given the state of the house his death appears to be connected to a rash of robberies in the village. Declan OShea the handsome helper Beryl hired to assist their aged gardener Simpkins falls under suspicion after having had his own run-in with the magistrate--but mostly Beryl believes because hes Irish. While unofficially looking into the magistrates murder the ladies are hired in their official capacity as private inquiry agents to find census reports that have gone missing. Is someone trying to hide something from the census takers--and could that theft have anything to do with the magistrates death? Beryl and Edwina are once again in fine form as they engage in a little reckless sleuthing to bring these assorted mysteries to a speedy conclusion...