The House at Shiraz: A Parker Pyne Story (Parker Pyne Mysteries)

Mr. Parker Pyne is having trouble trying to get to Beirut, what with his rusty linguistic skills and the less-than-comfortable travelling arrangements. But, with the help of a German pilot, Herr Schlagel, he is soon able to get his bearings. Herr Schlagel confesses that his thoughts are dominated by the mysterious and sudden death of one of his last passengers, who was in the company of Lady Esther from the House of Shiraz. Taking the initiative, Pyne writes to Lady Esther offering his services. When he arrives at the House of Shiraz, he waits to see what the infamously mad Lady Esther has to say for herself, and the story begins to unravel.... Mr. Parker Pyne is having trouble getting to Tehran from Bagdad, what with his non-existent Persian linguistic skills and the less-than-comfortable travelling arrangements. But with the help of the German pilot, Herr Schlagal, he is able to get his bearings. Later the pilot confesses to Pyne that his thoughts are dominated by the mysterious and sudden death of one of his previous passengers. She was in the company of Lady Esther Carr from Shiraz. Coincidence, Pyne is travelling to that city. Taking the initiative, he writes to Lady Carr offering his "Are you happy?" services. When he arrives at her home, he asks questions and sets a scene to see what the infamously unbalanced woman has to say for herself. Her story begins to unravel. Librarian's note: this entry relates to the short story, "The House at Shiraz." Collections and the other stories by the author are located elsewhere on Goodreads. The Parker Pyne series includes 14 short stories. Entries for the stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Parker Pyne Short Story." Librarian's note #2: the story was published in the print anthologies, "Parker Pyne Investigates" and 'Mr. Parker Pyne, Detective." It first came out in "Cosmopolitan" magazine in the US in 1933. Mr. Parker Pyne is having trouble trying to get to Beirut, what with his rusty linguistic skills and the less-than-comfortable travelling arrangements. But, with the help of a German pilot, Herr Schlagel, he is soon able to get his bearings. Herr Schlagel confesses that his thoughts are dominated by the mysterious and sudden death of one of his last passengers, who was in the company of Lady Esther from the House of Shiraz. Taking the initiative, Pyne writes to Lady Esther offering his services. When he arrives at the House of Shiraz, he waits to see what the infamously mad Lady Esther has to say for herself, and the story begins to unravel ..