One has to admit that the timing was peculiar. No one could doubt that Mr. Percival Pyke Period was genuinely distraught to hear that his neighbor, Harry Cartell, had turned up dead in a ditch. But how is it that Mr. Percival Pyke came to write the letter of condolence before the body was found? And how is it that Mr. Cartell came to inspire such violence? Yes he was boring, yes he was stuffy, but who would kill a man for the crime of being a bad...

The death of wealthy hypochondriac Sybil Foster at fashionable Greengages is looked into by Superintendent Roderick Alleyn and Sybil's friend, Verity Preston, both of whom are puzzled by the absence of motives and suspects

Inspector Alleyn has the upper crust contacts and manners, but like more modern detectives, he's a bona fide cop. Offers elegant country house settings, complex cases, and a detective who works for Scotland Yard. Agatha Troy is the Inspector's independent and insightful lady friend.