By A. E. Fielding Tragedy at Beechcroft [Paperback]

Chief Inspector Pointer #18

by Dorothy Fielding

A Chief Inspector Pointer Mystery At first it had seemed just a tragic accident, a conjuring trick gone horribly wrong when a real sword substituted for a prop results in the death of a woman. Moments later the amateur magician, the ladies husband, overwhelmed with grief committed suicide. But when certain aspects don’t seemed to add up, one of Scotland Yard’s finest, Chief Inspector Pointer, is sent to the scene of the tragedy, Beechcroft, to investigate. Was it truly an accident and suicide? Or was it something more sinister, a double murder? And if so, why? And more importantly, by whom? These are the questions Pointer must unravel as he investigates the . . . Tragedy at Beechcroft!

Genres: Mystery

Paperback

First published January 1, 1930

Reviews

[Susan Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A murder occurs at Beechcroft. At first it appears to be a murder/suicide. Everyone thinks that Moncrief has killed his wife during the performance of an illusion. Then, the killer rushes away and a shot is heard. The local policeman suspects that it has something to do with a rash of local jewel thefts. But when Chief Inspector Pointer is sent down from New Scotland Yard, he doesn't think so. The clues are not adding up. But he needs to find what the motive was. Lavinia Moncrief's mother has sent several friends down to her daughter's to keep on eye on Moncrief. She fears he is going mad from drugs or drink. But all the friends there assembled believe the couple are very affectionate to one another and see no trace of madness in Moncrief's actions.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lavinia Moncrieff's mother appeals to an old friend, the quiet portrait painter Oliver Santley, to help her daughter, whose husband appears to be losing his mind. Santley, on a visit to the couple to help with a charity performance, thinks Major Moncrieff completely sane. But double tragedy strikes all the same. When Pointer of the Yard is called in, the reader is reminded that things are not as they seem in Fielding's fiction. He also treats readers to a slam-bam ending that unveils--well, no spoilers here!

[Gillian Kevern · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 rounded down.

I actually read this on Project Gutenberg Australia. Another twisty mystery, with all loose ends tied up right at the end.