This is the latest in a series of British cozy mystery novels, featuring Ethelred Tessider and Elise Thirkettle. It's the only one of the seven books in the series I have read up to now. Ethelred is a "mid-list" crime fiction writer and Elsie is his literary agent. Most of the story is set in west Sussex in England, but there's frequent travel to London.

Novelist Roger Vane shocks his friends and relatives when he turns up at his own memorial service. He's been missing for 20 years in the jungles of Asia. Once the initial surprise of his re-appearance wears off, questions arise about whether he is who he says he is. Just as he seems to answer those questions satisfactorily, he is killed. Ethelred is writing a biography of Roger when he re-appears and is therefore deemed to be a good candidate to validate his identity, and after the murder, to find the killer. Somewhat unique in amateur detective stories, Ethelred and the police have a good working relationship. Ethelred goes about talking to people who knew Roger before he went missing and many of them have a motive to want him dead. The story-telling follows the conventional Golden Age approach, but with a droll twist at the end which will probably take many readers by surprise.

The story is full of interesting characters and is well-paced which makes it a good read. Previous books in the series have been finalists in the Edgar Awards and therefore may be worth a read too. ( )