What is the connection among a failed suicide attempt, a wrongful accusation of theft against a schoolgirl, and the romantic life of a famous tennis player? To the casual observer, apparently nothing. But when a house party gathers at Gull's Point, the seaside home of an elderly widow, earlier events come to a dramatic head. As Superintendent Battle discovers, it is all part of a carefully laid plan-for murder.

"Luke Fitzwilliam does not believe Miss Pinkerton's wild allegation that a multiple murderer is at work in the quiet English village of Wychwood and that her local doctor is next in line. But within hours, Miss Pinkerton has been killed in a hit-and-run car accident. Mere coincidence? Luke is inclined to think so--until he reads in the Times of the unexpected demise of Wychwood's Dr. Humbleby..."--P. [4] of cover.

"Natalka and Edwin are perfect if improbable partners in a detective agency. At eighty-four, Edwin regularly claims that he's the oldest detective in England. He is a master at surveillance, deploying his age as a cloak of invisibility. Natalka, Ukrainian-born and more than fifty years his junior, is a math whizz, who takes any cases concerning fraud or deception. Despite a steady stream of minor cases, Natalka is frustrated. She loves a murder, as...

"Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator, has never met anyone like Lily Temple. The silent-film actress plays frivolous roles, but beneath the costumes and makeup is a woman with a murky past. Peter has been tasked with locating the Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which Lily wears beneath her gown. To hopefully unravel the mystery of her story, Peter employs Lily's help on a case. But as they are investigating together, Peter is also...