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An Audiobook Review by Jackie Houchin
What a great start to a fun and very unusual series.
I loved the young boarding schoolboy Christopher (16) and his wonderful grandfather, Lord Edgington of Cranley Hall, set in Surrey, England. In this book, we meet them and learn of how their partnership into investigations began. Lord E. has been in seclusion for ten years since his precious wife died. But now he has decided to come out and celebrate his 75th birthday.
A Grand Ball with all his friends and relatives invited is his choice. Of course, he needs an assistant to help with the planning, and with all his sons, daughters, cousins, and grandsons around, he chooses the nerdy, bird-watching, still with “baby fat” grandson, Christopher (often called Chrissy) to be “it.” EVERYONE (even Chrissy) is flabberghasted.
The time of the ball arrives and positively all have come, more to see the “newly reformed” Lord of Cranley Hall than to enjoy themselves. (And hey, Christopher does a pretty good job – if a bit of overkill with the flowers – with the preparations.)
However, just as a toast is to be made… a murder happens. Later another one. Yikes! Who wants to kill off Lord Edgington’s family. Well, grandfather (who also happens to be an ex-policeman) and grandson set about discovering who and why. (What a jolly round of ups and downs, guesses and surprises.)
The mystery is worthy of Hercule Poirot and I don’t think even he could have solved it any more satisfyingly. The love between the two “investigators” is so sweet and I can certainly see the two of them in many more cases, as the older teaches the younger about police work, and, yes, the younger teaches and encourages the grandfather.
The murder is very diabolical and more tragic than it seems at first. But the epilogue is totally satisfying.
I enjoyed the author’s notes afterward too. Benedict Brown tells about his own father and why/how he chose the time and setting of the book.
Blagton’s narration was also excellent.
5 stars
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