Murder of a Lady

November 30, 2015
First published in 1931, this reissue in the British Library crime classics series brings back what some consider a more innocent era, when psychology seemed simpler and no one ever used terms like sociopath or psychopath. In his heyday, Wynne (1882–1963) was considered to be the master of locked-room mysteries, and he acquits himself well in this Dr. Eustace Hailey mystery. Hailey travels to a castle in the Scottish Highlands to investigate the demise of Miss Mary Gregor, sister to the laird. She has been found stabbed to death in her locked bedroom. Miss Gregor at first is described as pious and good. But it soon becomes clear that pious can be interpreted as sanctimonious and goodness can serve as a shield for nastier intentions. Others follow her to the grave in equally inexplicable circumstances. Those who like black-and-white films, in which ladies and gentlemen dress for dinner and everyone has frightfully good manners, are in for a treat.

December 15, 2015
A talented amateur sleuth takes on a locked-room murder in this golden age whodunit. Dr. Eustace Hailey is visiting a friend in the Scottish Highlands when the police ask his help with the murder of Mary Gregor at Duchlan Castle, where she lived with her brother, Maj. Hamish Gregor, known as Duchlan. Also in residence are Oonagh Gregor, a beautiful Irishwoman married to Duchlan's son, Eoghan, and the couple's sickly son. They've been forced to live at Duchlan Castle because they have only Eoghan's army pay to live on, and Mary has been the family member with money and power. The murder victim ruled Oonagh with an iron hand and tried to take over her son's care, just as she long ago took over Eoghan's care from his Irish mother, who died young. Because Inspector Dundas won't arrive until the next day, Hailey examines the body. Mary was found in a locked room, killed by a blunt instrument. The only clue is a fish scale from a herring, although Hailey also finds an old scar left by a sharp item. Investigating methodically, he slowly uncovers pious Mary's manipulative and unforgiving nature. Dundas initially discourages Hailey from interfering in his case but finally asks for his help, only to be murdered himself not long after, with another herring scale left behind. Sent to take his place, Inspector Thompson Barley fastens on Oonagh's plan to leave her husband. Rumor has it that Dr. McDonald, who cared for her son, is her lover. Hailey has a completely different theory, but can he prove it before the wrong person is arrested? This classic British mystery, first published in 1931, has enough complex plotting and red herrings to win a new generation of fans for the largely forgotten Wynne.

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Starred review from December 15, 2015
This 1931 novel, now republished as part of the British Library's Crime Classics series, is a cunningly concocted locked-room mystery, a staple of Golden Age detective fiction. Actually, it's a series of locked-room mysteries, all occurring within the gloomy, twisted corridors of Duchlan Castle in the Scottish Highlands. The laird and lady of the stately but dilapidated home are an elderly brother and sister who seem to make an effort to make their house uncomfortable and dreary. Wynne's depiction of the home and the way it mirrors the psychology of its inhabitants is worthy of Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The novel shifts from mood to murder when the sister, Mary Gregor, is found dead in her room, with a knife wound near her throat. The room had been locked from the inside and the windows shut. A fish scale is found on the wound. This evidence is observed by Wynne's recurring hero, the physician and amateur sleuth Dr. Eustace Hailey, who has been called to the scene. From this point on, murder follows murder, all of them impossible crimes. The way that Hailey uses his long experience, especially with observing human nature, is absolutely fascinating. Seeing what happens in real time from Hailey's point of view adds to the delight in watching him solve these puzzles. As Dorothy L. Sayers wrote (as quoted in the introduction to this volume): Mr. Anthony Wynne excels in the solution of apparently insoluble problems. A great return of a great detective.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)