What do you think?
Rate this book
Penny Spring and Sir Toby Glendower #2
The Cape Cod Caper
When a mutilated corpse is found in a cranberry bog on the Dimola estate, Penelope Spring is summoned to the Cape by Zeb Grange, an old flame. But by the time she arrives, an attempt on Zeb's life has been made, leaving him in a coma. As Penny's suspicions gradually point to the wealthy Dimola clan, her colleague Toby Glendower begins to probe into the family's past in Italy.
There is another murder, and Penny resolves to set a trap for her prime suspect, using herself as bait. But what Toby uncovers sends him racing back, fearful that Penny is making a disastrous mistake maybe her last.
There is another murder, and Penny resolves to set a trap for her prime suspect, using herself as bait. But what Toby uncovers sends him racing back, fearful that Penny is making a disastrous mistake maybe her last.
194 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
48 people want to read
About the author
Margot Arnold
31 books11 followersLibrarian 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.
*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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 3, 2023
A very entertaining read. I think I’m going to enjoy the 12 books in this series!
Sir Toby Glendower is on a vacation junket in Italy and happily looking to augment his wine cellar offerings, while his companion Penny Spring heads to Philadelphia PA USA to attend an anthropology conference. This goes well. Afterwards she decides to make a side visit to Boston to see the old home she grew up in and to visit her alma mater, Radcliffe. This does not go well. Feeling distinctly unsettled, she visits her publishers Cosby and Son and her editor, old friend John Everett. This is more like it! Everett also hands her an envelope for her addressed “Personal and Confidential, Extremely Important!” He had been about to forward it to her in the usual way, but her visit obviates that necessity. Penny is shocked - and intrigued! - to find that it’s from Zebediah Grange, a friend from college days and someone she’s not seen in 30 years. He implores her to come to Cape Cod to help him with an archeology dig and some shocking development related thereto. Penny is off to the Cape the very same day!
And of course, it isn’t long before a past link to Italy appears and how handy is it that Toby is already there and can lend his skills to some details there that will assist her in her new “mission.” Toby grumbles but in spite of himself gets involved, and we’re off! A really fun read, I look forward to the next.
Sir Toby Glendower is on a vacation junket in Italy and happily looking to augment his wine cellar offerings, while his companion Penny Spring heads to Philadelphia PA USA to attend an anthropology conference. This goes well. Afterwards she decides to make a side visit to Boston to see the old home she grew up in and to visit her alma mater, Radcliffe. This does not go well. Feeling distinctly unsettled, she visits her publishers Cosby and Son and her editor, old friend John Everett. This is more like it! Everett also hands her an envelope for her addressed “Personal and Confidential, Extremely Important!” He had been about to forward it to her in the usual way, but her visit obviates that necessity. Penny is shocked - and intrigued! - to find that it’s from Zebediah Grange, a friend from college days and someone she’s not seen in 30 years. He implores her to come to Cape Cod to help him with an archeology dig and some shocking development related thereto. Penny is off to the Cape the very same day!
And of course, it isn’t long before a past link to Italy appears and how handy is it that Toby is already there and can lend his skills to some details there that will assist her in her new “mission.” Toby grumbles but in spite of himself gets involved, and we’re off! A really fun read, I look forward to the next.
Read
July 25, 2020An intellectually rigorous follow up to war & peace
August 14, 2013
This second book in the Penelope Spring and Toby Glendower mystery series was just as delightful as the first. Maybe more, as it didn't seem quite as outdated to me. Still nothing of Toby's Welsh connections, but I am assured that that does feature later on in the series.
Description: When a mutilated corpse is found in a cranberry bog on the Dimola estate, Penelope Spring is summoned to the Cape by Zeb Grange, an old flame. But by the time she arrives, an attempt on Zeb's life has been made, leaving him in a coma. As Penny's suspicions gradually point to the wealthy Dimola clan, her colleague Toby Glendower begins to probe into the family's past in Italy. There is another murder, and Penny resolves to set up a trap for her prime suspect, using herself as bait. But what Toby uncovers sends him racing back, fearful that Penny is making a disastrous mistake - maybe her last.
Series info:
#2 of series
See: Exit Actors, Dying
Description: When a mutilated corpse is found in a cranberry bog on the Dimola estate, Penelope Spring is summoned to the Cape by Zeb Grange, an old flame. But by the time she arrives, an attempt on Zeb's life has been made, leaving him in a coma. As Penny's suspicions gradually point to the wealthy Dimola clan, her colleague Toby Glendower begins to probe into the family's past in Italy. There is another murder, and Penny resolves to set up a trap for her prime suspect, using herself as bait. But what Toby uncovers sends him racing back, fearful that Penny is making a disastrous mistake - maybe her last.
Series info:
#2 of series
See: Exit Actors, Dying
August 6, 2010
Bought the book because of the title (I love Cape Cod). A light little murder/mystery, but definitely not very suspenseful and for sure won't keep you up at night. The main character, Penny Spring, is a cross between Miss Marple and Jessica Fletcher. The type of book you can keep in your car in case you're at a long light or stuck in traffic.
January 5, 2018
Typically I like these types of cozies but for some reason these detectives just annoyed me. I won't give up!
October 21, 2020
First off, every place I checked (not only Goodreads) lists "Zadok's Treasure" as number 2 in the series and "The Cape Cod Caper" as number 3. This is wrong. I started out reading "Zadok's Treasure", growing suspicious as Penny and Toby continually referred to two previous cases, one having taken place in Cape Cod. At about page 25, 26, a name was mentioned as discovering a body in a bog during the last case. A quick check revealed the name and circumstance happening in "The Cape Cod Caper". Thus, every list has books 2 and 3 listed incorrectly, so if you're reading the series in order, be forewarned and read "The Cape Cod Caper" before "Zadok's Treasure".
On to the story. "The Cape Cod Caper" was much better than the first book. The pace didn't plod like the initial entry into the series and the story was more engaging. At first I feared Toby wouldn't feature much, if at all, in this book, but I liked the way Margot Arnold involved him in the case. The only drawback was that too many conclusions are easily guessed by the reader (this reader, at any rate). I wasn't sure if I'd continue with the series after the first book, but already having a copy of "The Cape Cod Caper", I purchased what I thought was book 2 and pressed on. Now I'm glad to have "Zadok's Treasure" awaiting and plan on giving this series at least one more read.
On to the story. "The Cape Cod Caper" was much better than the first book. The pace didn't plod like the initial entry into the series and the story was more engaging. At first I feared Toby wouldn't feature much, if at all, in this book, but I liked the way Margot Arnold involved him in the case. The only drawback was that too many conclusions are easily guessed by the reader (this reader, at any rate). I wasn't sure if I'd continue with the series after the first book, but already having a copy of "The Cape Cod Caper", I purchased what I thought was book 2 and pressed on. Now I'm glad to have "Zadok's Treasure" awaiting and plan on giving this series at least one more read.
September 13, 2024
Since we're about to move to one of the seven villages of Barnstable, what could be more fun than a mystery set in a mythical eighth village? Generally well written, with a quirky older pair at the center and a plot that is, okay, maybe stretched a little thin, but fun nonetheless.
February 25, 2018
To me, 2 stars is really 2 1/2. It's average. It took me a bit to get into the book but the mystery itself is fine.
August 19, 2019
Set on Cape Cod with some familiar towns as well as in Italy, this mystery has interesting characters. I found the plot to be a little slow but because of the locations, an enjoyable beach read.
September 1, 2024
Just okay.
September 3, 2012
Fun cozy mystery, set (obviously) on Cape Cod, which always appeals to me! The main characters in this series, Penny Spring & Toby Glendower, are professors of anthropology and archaeology respectively.
June 20, 2012
Nice traditional cosy like they don't write much these days. Some rather far-fetched plot elements but enjoyable.
September 28, 2016
The protagonist felt like a less interesting prototype for Beaton's Agatha Raisin. Hmmm. Maybe I should read more Agatha Raisin books.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews