In March of 1926 Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher & her friend Lucy head off for several days at stately home reputed to have the best grotto in the country. Working on a book of architectural follies they plan to research & photograph it. Leaving her husband & young twins behind Daisy is expecting a productive weekend at Appsworth Hall with the only potential difficulty being keeping Lucy from offending the current owner a manufacturer of plumbing products. Alas it's not to be quite so simple. At the home they find themselves faced with a curious assortment of people including the abominable tactless Lord Rydal who is rumored to be having an affair with one of the guests while at the same time in ardent & artless pursuit of the hand in marriage of another. When the grotto explodes with Lord Rydal in it it's not a question of who would do it
- as most who've met him would be sorely tempted
- but who actually did do it. Praise for the Daisy Dalrymple" series: ' Cunning...appropriate historical detail & witty dialogue are the finishing touches on this engaging 1920s period piece'
- " Publishers Weekly". ' As always Dunn evokes the life & times of 1920s England while providing a plot that is a cut above the average British cosy. This will delight readers who love country-house mysteries'
- " Booklist". ' For fans of Dorothy L. Sayers' novels'
- " Library Journal""