Gone West: A Daisy Dalrymple Mystery (Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries)
In September 1926, Sybil Sutherby contacts her old school friend Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher. Sybil is widowed and living with her daughter at a remote farmhouse in Derbyshire, where she works as the confidential secretary to reclusive novelist Humphrey Birtwhistle, who writes westerns under a pen name. It seems that Humphrey has been ill, and Sybil has taken over writing the books only to have sales increase, along with advances. When Daisy arrives, she meets a household of quirky relatives and would-be suitors who are taking advantage of Birtwhistle’s hospitality. Sybil is afraid that one of them is slowly poisoning her employer to keep him ill so that she can continue writing his books. When he dies under suspicious circumstances before Daisy can investigate, Sybil’s fears appear confirmed. Daisy’s husband, Scotland Yard detective Alec Fletcher, is unhappy that his wife is once again involved in a murder case. With plenty of suspects to vet, they have their work cut out for them. Dunn has once again written a charming cozy featuring an intelligent, strong woman. A treat for Daisy’s fans as well as those who enjoy Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs. --Barbara Bibel