Crafts and Life

The bibulous Mr Smith was no pillar of virtue. Crossing the Atlantic Ocean on the Enriqueta, he met someone he knew on board at midnight – and was strangled. Chief Inspector Shand of the Yard, a fellow traveller on the luxury liner, takes on the case, ably assisted by his friend Jasper Mellish. At first the only clue is what the steward saw: a bandaged face above a set of green pyjamas. But surely the crime can be connected to Mr Smith's former – and decidedly shady – compatriots in Buenos Aires?

This book starts with a sea voyage and a what at first sight is an accident but turns out to be murder, Mr Smith is on his "uppers" having drunk and gambled his money away during the voyage, but no one expects him to be killed over that! Luckily Inspector Shand is on hand to help the Captain.  They do not manage to discover the killer and the story moves to England and the lives of the new Lord Dalberry (Gillie), an heiress Miss Summers (Carol), her guardian/trustee (Jasper Mellish) and the Dowager Lady Dalberry (and sundry others!)

The action moves smoothly between Gillie, Carol and Jasper and it is hard to say who the main character is – nonetheless an excellent story and I am looking forward to reading more Molly Thyne books!