This book was first published in 1983 and I think it's supposed to be set around then so I don't suppose it can really be called vintage crime, but it does read like it. Michael Innes had his first crime fiction book published in 1936 so he had a very long writing career, as well as an academic one too. His crime fiction is a bit like that of Dorothy Sayers in that they aren’t just light fiction and they do have allusions to more literary books along the way, and to art in general.
In Appleby and Honeybath – as it says on the cover – two masterminds of detection fiction-together for the first time. They have both been invited to – yes, you guessed it – a country house weekend! The now retired Sir John Appleby has been asked along with his wife Judith because she is a distant relative of the owners. Charles Honeybath has been commissioned to paint the portrait of the house owner, Terence Grinton.
Whilst Honeybath is wandering around the house looking for inspiration for a setting for the portrait he comes across a dead body in the library – as you do! Honestly, this book is like a game of Cluedo in fiction, there’s even a character called Mrs Mustard. But somehow that all seems to add to the charm of the whole thing and I ended up enjoying it.
It’s perfect bedtime reading or if like me you are feeling a bit under the weather. It’s a very quick read at only 155 pages.
I hope you’re feeling better, Katrina. I know what you mean about not thinking about swallowing until it hurts. Lots of hot tea, maybe with honey and lemon.
One of our cats had three teeth pulled two weeks ago and he’s had some problems, perhaps with the anesthetic. We’ve been so worried about him. He sometimes staggers and seems confused and agitated. Other times he seems normal. The vet says to wait for a while longer, but I hardly slept last night worrying about him. I don’t do well without sleep.
Your cyclamen pot looks lovely. Some of the bulbs I planted in pots a few weeks ago have started to come up, confused by the warm weather. I hope they save enough energy to bloom next spring!
I hope we’re both feeling better very soon!
Joan,
Thanks so much for the sympathy. Thankfully when I woke up yesterday my throat was a lot better although my voice isn’t back to normal and I now have a cough! I’m sure it’ll clear up soon. I was actually having difficulty swallowing anything and stuck to tiny sips of water because bigger gulps had me choking, it felt like drowning, horrible.
I hope your cat is back to normal soon, surely they must have given him too much anaesthetic. I need my sleep too. I have to say that I am not a cat person, I’m not used to them but they all adore me! I’m told that it is because I don’t look at them and bother them so they don’t feel threatened and obviously feel the need to be my best pal! Have you seen Rose City Reader’s cats?
Fingers crossed we’ll all be better soon.
Katrina,
Double ugh! Horrible throats seem to love the end of November. I hope you were able to give yourself some extra moments in a warm bed or in front of a warm hearth. This book sounds entertaining! A departure…
Judith
Judith,
I must admit I had a lovely long lie in bed and I’ve now started September which I’m enjoying.
Snow showers have been promised for tomorrow morning, if that happens I’m definitely going back to bed with a book after everyone is up and out.
I hope your foot is improving and that the work is going well.
K