Wednesday, November 23, 2016

The Miss Silver Mysteries: Grey Mask, The Case Is Closed, and Lonesome Road by Patricia Wentworth

I've read Miss Silver in the past and have enjoyed Ms. Wentworth's mysteries.  When I saw this offer on the first three books, I couldn't pass it up.  I'm also glad I read it and got to know Miss Silver again!

Open Road Integrated Media and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published so you can grab the ebook now.

The first case begins with a man who been away on his own adventures before coming back to the family home.  When he arrives home, his attorney tells him his help takes this day off, so he shouldn't return to the house until the next day.  He had taken a room so he had no problem with that.  But he wasn't tired and couldn't sleep so he decided to take a walk and just look at the estate he has inherited.  He can't believe it when he finds the back gate unlocked, the kitchen door unlocked, and a light in the library.  Nobody is supposed to there.  He knows how to snoop without getting caught (an old childhood spy hole).  What he hears is disturbing.  It sounds like a plot to steal an inheritance and to murder the only person who is standing in the way.  She's only 18, they might be able to prove she's illegitimate, but if not...

He's in a quandary because his ex-fiance seems to be part of this plot.  He can't think badly of her.  He's still in love with her.  But how is he going to figure out who wears the Grey Mask?  Miss Silver is willing to help...

The Case is Closed is where a man is framed for a murder and his wife knows he's innocent.  No one else will handle it because it's a done deal.  Miss Silver isn't so picky.  It takes a lot more questions but she does foil the bad ones.

My favorite is Lonesome Road.  A young woman has inherited a lot of money.  She's going to honor her father's wishes and bequeath it the way he put in the will.  But not right away and not just because they think they deserve it.  It's to be shared upon her death.  And now deadly things are happening around her.  If it isn't bad enough to be living with vultures and nagged all the time, life is getting dangerous for her.  The more questions Miss Silver asks, the more agitated they get.  When the youngest one runs, her life is in danger, too.  But Miss Silver is on the case and so are the woman who inherited and her new love.  The ending is very, very ironic.  Justice does prevail.

These don't read as fast as cozy but they are full of character development, emotions, and good deductive reasoning.  I find them enjoyable.  There's almost a touch of Christie here.  If you haven't met Miss Silver yet, you should.

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