Georgia Wells, an alluring actress at the top of her profession, attracted men like a magnet. The trouble was that they had a nasty habit of winding up dead. No one could deny that Georgia had her faults, but was she a murderess? Albert Campion is drawn into the mystery, for his sister, Val, is chief designer in The House of Papendeik, and the murder has taken place within their walls.

A custom-made killer shocks the fashionable London set in “one of the finest murder books ever written” featuring gentleman sleuth Albert Campion (The New Yorker). Albert Campion’s sister is a success in her own right. A top fashion designer, she works for a legendary couturier and dresses Georgia Wells, the best-dressed actress in the world. Albert also has a connection to Georgia, but his is based on failure, not success. Georgia’s former fiancé disappeared nearly three years ago, and Campion has never been able to find him. Until now . . . The victim’s remains—discovered by Campion in a deserted country house—point to suicide. But the man’s father assumes it was foul play. In a rarified world of wealth and privilege where silence and secrets can be bought, the investigation won’t be easy, especially when another death takes center stage. This time, the victim is Georgia’s current husband—and starring in the role of prime suspect: Albert’s sister. “Top ranking whodunit in Dorothy Sayers tradition . . . Plus sale for non-mysteryites as first rate novel of fashionable London. Suspense—humor—well planned, well written.” —Kirkus Reviews Praise for Margery Allingham “Margery Allingham stands out like a shining light.” —Agatha Christie “The best of mystery writers.” —The New Yorker “Allingham was a rare and precious talent.” —The Washington Post “Don’t start reading these books unless you are confident that you can handle addiction.” —The Independent

This book records eighteen crimes - from the seedy and sinister to the fashionable and frivolous. Within its pages are more of the exploits of the famous detective Albert Campion, and his friends the policemen Charlie Luke and Stanislaus Oates.

The slashing of a valuable painting at the renowned Ivory Gallery in London, followed by the murder of the proprietor's son-in-law, Robert, sets the stage for another finely tuned Allingham mystery. The proprietor's mother, 90-year-old Gabrielle Ivory, holds the key to the web of intrigue and danger that permeates the gallery.

--Pointed, absorbing novel about an indigenous artist’s long journey of creativity and coming-of-awareness from White Earth Reservation to Paris