MRS. MALORY WONDERS WHY

by Hazel Holt ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 7, 1995

In this sixth of a series, middle-aged widow Sheila Malory, back in her gossipy village of Taviscombe after a foray to the US (Mrs. Malory: Detective in Residence, 1994), is a regular visitor to old Miss Graham, who lives alone in a nice apartment in Kimberly Lodge--a residence owned by Dr. Cowley, a long-time favorite of the village's many geriatrics and a dabbler in real estate. The doctor now wants to join the Lodge to another of his properties and build a nursing home, but Miss Graham refuses to move. When Mrs. Malory arrives one day on a visit only to find her old friend dead (of poison, it transpires), she's sure Dr. Cowley's behind it, but his alibi seems watertight. Weeks later, it's revealed that some worthless land bequeathed to Miss Graham years ago has become very valuable indeed, and her wimpy storekeeper nephew Ronnie, her only kin, will inherit a fortune. Mrs. Malory turns her genteel nosiness onto new targets, like Ronnie and his bossy wife Carol, while she discusses her theories with lawyer son Michael, a bachelor who lives at home. His mother has ideas about that, too, involving a beautiful, newly arrived addition to Michael's firm. Meanwhile, a clumsily contrived second murder, as incompetently investigated by the police as the first, leads Mrs. Malory to the culprit and ends her dullest adventure to date. With its endless cups of tea, cutes), animal capers, and nonstop flow of inane chatter, this one is for only the most ardent fans of English cozies.

Pub Date: Dec. 7, 1995

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 192

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1995

Categories: FICTION