The Midas Murders

Penny Spring and Sir Toby Glendower #12

by Margot Arnold

A Penny Spring and Sir Toby Glendower Mystery: "Arnold serves up an ingenious plot together with a peek at the lifestyles of the rich and famous."-- Booklist American anthropologist Penny Spring and British archaeologist Sir Toby Glendower have received a tantalizing invitation. Would they join old friend Jules Lefau on a three-week cruise among the Greek islands? Toby is wary of any invitation from the wily Lefau, but Penny sets off eagerly, children and grandchildren in tow. Arriving, the Springs find an astonishing assemblage of multimillionaires, entire dynasties and paramours included. Soon, however, Penny senses a dark purpose behind the festivities, especially following the sudden, mysterious death of patriarch Demetrios. Then Demetrios's heir is found murdered, his body floating in a swimming pool. Toby, summoned from Oxford, arrives in the Mediterranean just as another attempt on the life of an heir takes place. Clearly, someone is out to eradicate an entire clan, and only Penny and Sir Toby have the wits to pursue a perilous investigation to its alarming conclusion. "A new Margot Arnold mystery is always a pleasure," writes the Chicago Sun-Times . "She should be better known, particularly since her mysteries are often compared to those of the late Ngaio Marsh."

Genres: Mystery, Cozy

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

*Marguerite Marie Dominique Monro Arnold (1879-1969), British novelist.
aka
Margot Arnold.

*Petronelle Marguerite Mary Crouch Cook (1925-2016), British-American novelist, author of Penny Spring and Sir Toby Glendower Series
aka
Petronelle Cook and Margot Arnold.

Reviews

[Laura Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I liked the action in this one, the plotline was terribly convoluted. Again, I think Margot Arnold did a good job of having Sonya and the kids (Alex's part was sparse) play a part until the investigation took a serious turn, then she conveniently sent them out of the picture until the end. During the meat of the investigation, the reader is then treated to the interaction between Penny and Toby. The last line was great, too, Penny saying "Nevermore" in regard to their amateur sleuthing. A perfect way to end the series. I'm glad to see them content to enjoy their family instead of chasing murderers, though I will miss this series.

[Sloane Marlowe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did I miss the likable characters? The male characters lacked any depth, and the adult women were described as "hysterical" and "waspish," constantly "hissing" or having meltdowns. I kept hoping the book would redeem itself, but, alas, by the end I felt the murder victims were the lucky ones, as they escaped having to spend one minute more with these "call me Doctor" strivers.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just okay.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a somewhat lackluster addition to a series I usually enjoy. The whodunit was way too obvious. Sir Toby was basically an ass throughout most of the book.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last book in this series, and the author was tiring. A few important clues hinted at but not told to the reader. Printed in 1995, draws heavily on the breakup of Yugoslavia.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sorry to get to the end of this series. Love the archaeological settings.