Death and the Dancing Footman : Inspector Roderick Alleyn #11

The unspeakably wealthy (and generally unspeakable) Jonathan Royal has decided to throw a party. And because nothing amuses him more than others' discomfort, he has studded the guest-list with people who loathe one another. Their mutual enmity would be delicious enough on its own, but Royal can only barely contain his delight when the snowfall, at first so pretty, turns to a blizzard and imprisons them all. Murder, of course, is the eventual outcome, butin true Christie-esque tradition, there are nearly as many suspects as there are potential victims. And while Inspector Alleyn does (of course) show up to put things right, the great pleasure in this book lies in the characterizations, not least of the titular footman, whose favorite dance, it seems, is ''Boomps-a-daisy!'' This tale of murder at a snowed-in country house is a “constant puzzle to the end . . . alive with wit” ( The New York Times ). The unspeakably wealthy (and generally unspeakable) Jonathan Royal has decided to throw a party and, just for fun, has studded the guest list with people who loathe one another. When a blizzard imprisons them all in Royal’s country house, murder ensues, and there are nearly as many suspects as there are potential victims. Eventually, Inspector Alleyn makes his way through the snow to put things right, in this classic whodunit by the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master. “A smooth yarn.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) With the notion of bringing together the most bitter of enemies for his own amusement, a bored, mischievous millionaire throws a house party. As a brutal snowstorm strands the unhappy guests, the party receives a most unwelcome visitor: death. Now the brilliant inspector Roderick Alleyn must step in to decipher who at the party is capable of cold-blooded murder. Inspector Alleyn receives a late invitation to a decidedly unsocial function, when a jaded millionaire is murdered at his own gala event. Reissue. The unspeakably wealthy (and generally unspeakable) Jonathan Royal has decided to throw a party and, just for fun, has studded the guest-list with people who loathe one another. When a blizzard imprisons them all in Royal's country house, murder ensues. In true Christie-esque tradition, there are nearly as many suspects as there are potential victims. Eventually, Inspector Alleyn makes his way through the snow to put things right