Carolus Deene, a teacher at an English public school, has had jaundice and is off to a waterside resort to rest and recuperate.

And then two older women are strangled on the same night. They are found in the same position, each with a small spray of white lilies on their chests. There doesn’t seem to be any connection, other than the murder circumstances, between the two. Is a maniac at work? Is there in fact a hidden connection? Carolus takes on the case, first reluctantly and then with an increasing sense of urgency. Is he clever enough to prevent a third murder?

Don’t look for complex character development here. The characters are interesting, but this is a straightforward old-fashioned mystery, very much in the style of the Golden Age classics. Smart dialogue and good plotting make this one a winner. ( )