Servicable, but in the end nothing special mystery. I've read better and I've read worse. Certainly enjoyable, light fun, but not up to the standard of some of his more thought provoking mysteries such as Scandal in Belgravia ( )

Servicable, but in the end nothing special mystery. I've read better and I've read worse. Certainly enjoyable, light fun, but not up to the standard of some of his more thought provoking mysteries such as Scandal in Belgravia ( )

Servicable, but in the end nothing special mystery. I've read better and I've read worse. Certainly enjoyable, light fun, but not up to the standard of some of his more thought provoking mysteries such as Scandal in Belgravia ( )

A young man returns to England after his aunt's death. His family has been told he died as a teen traveling in India, but his aunt believed someone in the family wanted to kill him. Wry commentary on the respectability of English society combined with an intriguing mystery.

Robert Barnard never fails to entertain. He's always been interested in eccentric, dysfunctional families (witness his Inspector Perry Trethowan series) When I read the synopsis of this book to refresh my memory, I was struck by its similarities to one of Barnard's more recent books. He really seems fixated on this theme of the missing family member's return. But as long as he keeps writing the tales so well, I'll keep reading and not complain. ( )