Who ever tires of the zany British country house murder?

"But Lavinia, I don't want people staying here," said the Earl. "After the last two house parties, we agreed no more."

"This wouldn't be a house party, George, it's nine guests for one night."

"But the last two times we've had people here it's been disastrous."

"This is quite different. These people are family, not spies and jewel thieves and blackmailers and film stars. And when one occupies an historic house such as Alderley, one cannot shut its doors, because of a few unfortunate incidents."

Lord Burford's misgivings were understandable. After all, the "unfortunate incidents" had been murders. But these people were travelling a long way for the funeral of an elderly relative. There was nowhere else for them to stay in the village, so the Earl really had to offer them accommodations at Alderley, the Burfords' Carolean mansion.

Things started to go wrong when one of guests claimed she had knowledge that would ruin the others' reputations. But nobody took that seriously.

Until, that is, she was found murdered...

Lord Burford had never been so relieved as when Chief Inspector Wilkins arrived. Again!

The Affair of the 39 Cuff Links, lighthearted sequel to The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cosy and The Affair of the Mutilated Mink, delighfully captures the atmosphere of the 1930s country-house mystery.

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Alderley, the 17th-century country house of the Earl of Burford, provides the setting for Anderson's third 1930s madcap mystery The somewhat batty earl is reluctant to open his house to visitors again, but his wife convinces him that this time will be different. After all, what could happen? The guests are coming only for one night and will all be family attending the funeral of an elderly relative.

When one of the guests claims to know damaging secrets about those who are gathered together, no one really pays any attention to her until she turns up murdered. Knowing the routine, the earl immediately calls the doctor and the police and is somewhat relieved when Detective Chief Inspector Wilkins arrives, yet again. To complicate matters, Lady Geraldine, the earl's headstrong daughter, is determined to be the first to solve the mystery.

With a cast that includes an MP, a King's Counsel and his ditzy blonde daughter, a ne'er-do-well nephew and, of course, the butler Merryweather, Anderson has created the perfect group for a delightful romp. And romp they do through a lighthearted tale of family feuds, practical jokes, lies and a myriad of tantalizing clues sure to entertain anyone who enjoys traditional puzzlers.