The Affair of the Thirty-Nine Cufflinks

The Affair of the Thirty-Nine Cufflinks by James Anderson is the third murder mystery that this author has set at the country home of the Earl of Burford. The central characters are again the Earl and Countess, their daughter Lady Geraldine and Chief Inspector Wilkins. The Burford's are playing host to nine members of the familly following the funeral of Great Aunt Florrie. The will is read and her daughter-in-law Clara, incensed at being virtualy cut out of it, issues threats of disclosure of personal secrets of other familly members that could ruin their reputations. That night she is murdered and circumstances dictate that the killer must be from among the assembled guests. James Anderson drives the action along at a handsome pace whilst creating an amusing country house atmosphere which, allied to his light brisk dialogue, has just the right overtones of Wodehouse. This is another first class entertainment from this author and is sure to please any fan of the Agatha Christie school of detective story.