Michael Derek Allen

This book was written in 1982 so it is now 25 years old and it does show its age somewhat. It is a formulaic English country manor murder mystery but that doesn't mean it wasn't enjoyable to read. Spence of the title is Detective Chief Superintendant Ben Spence of the Southshire Police Department. He is called in to solve the mysterious death of Lady Dinnister's companion, Florence Fosdyke, who was found dead in her bed at Marlby Manor. It appears that Miss Fosdyke was the accidental victim of poison and that the intended recipient was Lady Dinnister herself. DCS Spence and his sidekick, DI Laurel, must determine who, of a very small group of possible perpetrators, was the killer. The ending comes as a surprise even though afterward I thought "Of course!"

I did like the portrayal of the women characters who were all strong, interesting individuals. I've never read anything else by Michael Allen but I googled and found a website and his blog which has the great title Grumpy Old Bookman. His website says this book and the other Spence novels are out of print so enjoy!… (mere)

Description: First in series featuring Detective Superitendent Spence - "Spence and the Holiday
Murders" (Spence and the Murders in Petal Park - UK title) - Prosperous Roger Parnell
lives in the plushest English suburb of a south coast resort He has grown rich ripping
people off with mortgage schemes. Three days before Christmas, the scheming Roger is
found bludgeoned to death. It is up to Spence to solve the crime before Christmas. Note,
although the action takes place during the Christmas season, it is irrelevant to the book.… (mere)