"I think," said Palk slowly, "there's a homicidal maniac loose in the Hydro, but who it is, God knows."
Presteignton Hydro is a drably genteel spa resort, populated by the aged and crippled who relish every drop of scandal they observe or imagine concerning the younger guests. No one however expects to see gossip turn to murder as their juniors die one by one - no one, that is, except the killer. The crusty cast of characters make solving the case all the harder for Inspector Palk - until the enigmatic sleuth Mr. Winkley arrives to lend a hand.
Knock, Murderer,...
"I think," said Palk slowly, "there's a homicidal maniac loose in the Hydro, but who it is, God knows."
They grabbed their fishing bags, and made a dive for their rods which were standing, ready for use, outside the front door.
"Well, tight lines " they called over their shoulders.
"Bleeding hooks " grinned the Major.
Gladys 'Ruby' Mumsby was more interested in fishermen than fish. When her corpse is discovered near a Welsh sporting lodge that is hosting a group of fly fishing enthusiasts, it seems one of them has taken an interest in her too - of the murderous kind. For impaled in the palm of her hand is a salmon fishing fly, so deep that the...
They grabbed their fishing bags, and made a dive for their rods which were standing, ready for use, outside the front door.
That settles it, thought Smith savagely. He shall be murdered, even if I have to do it myself
The Hardstaffe family are not the nicest people in the world. In fact, he - schoolteacher, lothario and bully, she - chronic malcontent - and their horsey unmarried adult daughter seem to be prime candidates for murder. A writer planning these deaths, on paper at least, and a young girl, chased by old Hardstaffe, are the only outsiders in a deliciously neat, but nasty, case.
Blue Murder was the last of Harriet Rutland's mystery novels, first published in 1942. This...
That settles it, thought Smith savagely. He shall be murdered, even if I have to do it myself
