Murder at Madingley Grange (Felony & Mayhem Mysteries) (Inspctr Barnaby) [Paperback]

Caroline Graham (Author)

Book Description

Series: Inspctr Barnaby | Publication Date: October 15, 2006

Simon Hannford is in need of some fast money, and murder seems the obvious solution. Specifically, a 1930s Murder Mystery Weekend, to be held at Madingly Grange, his aunt's superbly hideous gothic mansion. Simon and his sister are meant to be house-sitting, but surely Aunt Maude would not begrudge them the chance to earn a few nearly honest shekels. Ah, the confidence of youth! Simon's grand plans quickly go awry, beginning with the guess - each one dottier than the last - and moving on to the staff, hired on the cheap and with larcenous plans of their own. And when an actual body turns up, deprived of actual life, Simon's charade of detection is suddenly forced to begin in earnest.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A game of murder in an English country house appears headed for the real thing in this lumbering attempt at a romp. Simon Hannaford and his sister Laurie are left in charge of their aunt's estate near Oxford while she travels abroad; to settle some debts, Simon decides to sponsor a murder-mystery weekend for well-paying guests. Those who sign on include mystery aficionado Derek Gregory; his wife, Sheila; and snooty Mrs. Laetitia Saville with her daughter Rosemary, who are appalled by the wealthy but common gypsy family Gibbs--Fred, Vi and Mother Gibbs. It soon appears that everyone at Madingley Grange has arrived with ulterior motives, including the temp-service staff who are casing the place with an eye to burglary. When Derek is chosen victim, much to his voluble distaste, and then is found actually murdered the next day, Simon and Laurie's problems really begin. While Graham ( Death of a Hollow Man ) does give us the outline of a classic country house mystery, this is not Wodehouse-meets-Christie material, lacking the essential wit and complexity of both masters. Mystery Guild alternate.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"An ingenious plot and excellent characters...well-written, witty, and elegantly plotted" -- The Guardian (UK)

"Splendid...a book not to be missed" -- Denver Post

"Extracts maximum fun from the genre" -- Sunday Times (London)

Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: Felony & Mayhem (October 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933397527
• ISBN-13: 978-1933397528
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #165,329 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A screwball mystery reenactment --, August 25, 2001

By 

kellytwo "kellytwo" (cleveland hts, ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Murder at Madingley Grange (Paperback)

Take one well-cared for English Stately Home. Add one nephew, Simon, and one niece, his sister Laurie, who agree to manor-sit while their Aunt, who is the owner, goes off to Bath for an indeterminate stay. Laurie has her petite feet firmly on the ground, literally, as one of her favorite activities is tending to the gardens. She also likes cooking and excels at the gourmet variety. Simon is a dreamer. How can he use this unanticipated opportunity to fatten his somewhat empty coffers? Simple, my dear Watson. Simon conjures up a 'thirties mystery weekend' - Murder at Madingley Grange. Laurie has her doubts, but as Simon has already placed the advert in THE TIMES, she grudgingly goes along with him. Doesn't she always? But, if her erstwhile fiancé should be there to help out some, that would work. Wouldn't it? Blend in the usual assortment of eccentrics: the widowed mother with beautiful daughter hoping to land a country home of her own; the mature married couple and his mother, a gypsy, who might do a bit of 'seeing' if asked nicely. The husband of this pair is a frustrated vaudevillian, specializing in juvenile-type jokes and pranks. Another couple, of which the husband is detective buff, wishful of becoming the next Sherlock Holmes, while his wife may not be everything she seems to be. Two independent young men: one hoping to capture the above-mentioned daughter, and the other a devotee of the thirties, complete to clothing, etc., and mostly unaware of other surroundings. Add two of the most unusual domestic servants you'll ever encounter anywhere, and the scene is set for one long laugh. It's almost a comedy of errors, combined with manners. No violence to speak of either, but much wild and wacky fun.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The end is great--a real surprise!, May 26, 2007

By 

KatyM (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Murder at Madingley Grange (Felony & Mayhem Mysteries) (Inspctr Barnaby) (Paperback)

One reviewer noted that he didn't finish the book out of disappointment; this is understandable but was the wrong call. Like so many really well-done mysteries, the true value of this story isn't clear until the hilarious and chilling conclusion that was completely unexpected. Now this is on the very short list of mysteries that I can read again and again with great pleasure each time.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mayhem at Maddingly, July 17, 2001

By 

Lori Quenzer (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Murder at Madingley Grange (Paperback)

This is one of the funniest books I've ever read...But if you're expecting Inspector Barnaby, you've another think coming. This is more like a screwball comedy than a murder mystery. If you like Ngaio Marsh or Agatha Christie you will probably enjoy this comedy of murders.