GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

The author's penchant for the absurd (How to Murder the Man of Your Dreams, 1995, etc.) reaches full flower in this off-the-wall take on English aristocracy. Its focus is Gossinger Hall, dating from the 12th-century, where Sir Henry Gossinger, plebeian-born wife Mabel, and permanent houseguest cousin Sophie Doffit are in residence, along with a staff headed by aristocratic butler Hutchins, whose gentle care is lavished on the silver collection—a center of attention for tourists and tour buses—and on his orphaned 18-year-old granddaughter Flora, his charge from age three. Outside chores are handled by odd-job man Mr. Tipp, whose forebears, like Hutchins's, go back generations at the Hall. Heir to it all is Sir Henry's nephew, 30ish Vivian—that is, he's heir until the day Sir Henry, seemingly intent on righting an old wrong, announces he's leaving Gossinger Hall to Hutchins. Before the day is over, the butler is found dead in the ancient outdoor privy that's part of the Hall's history, and Flora soon finds herself occupying an empty store and apartment in London's Bethnal Green. There, a besotted Vivian keeps a protective watch on Flora as the two sort out the ancient theft of a silver tea strainer and discover, eventually, what really happened to Grandfather. A farcical fairy-tale, written in determinedly Wodehousian style, that overplays its wry tone, silly plot, and likable characters to the point of tedium.