Black Widower

Inspector Henry Tibbett Mystery #12

by Patricia Moyes

Mavis Ironmonger is nobody's idea of a good diplomatic wife. She drinks too much, she's awfully friendly with the staff at the Washington embassy, and her music-hall roots have a way of bursting out at the most inappropriate moments. Indeed, it's at an embassy reception that Mavis manages to insult a visiting ambassador and get herself hauled off to sober up. With the party winding down, Mavis is due downstairs, to say the official goodbyes, but in fact she has already made her final farewell, courtesy of a gunshot.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Detective, Crime, Procedural

263 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Moyes was born in Dublin on 19 January 1923 and was educated at Overstone girls' school in Northampton. She joined the WAAF in 1939. In 1946 Peter Ustinov hired her as technical assistant on his film School for Secrets. She became his personal assistant for the next eight years. In 1960 she wrote the screenplay for the film School for Scoundrels starring Ian Carmichael, Terry-Thomas, and Alastair Sim. She married photographer John Moyes in 1951; they divorced in 1959. She later married James Haszard, a linguist at the International Monetary Fund in The Hague. She died at her home on the island of Virgin Gorda (British Virgin Islands) on 2 August 2000.

Her mystery novels feature C.I.D. Inspector Henry Tibbett. One of them, Who Saw Her Die (Many Deadly Returns in the US) was nominated for an Edgar Allan Poe Award in 1971. She also wrote several juveniles and short stories.

Series:
* Inspector Henry Tibbett Mystery

Reviews

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mavis Ironmonger, wife of Sir Edward Ironmonger, the newly appointed ambassador to the United States from the recently emancipated Caribbean island of Tampica, is making quite a name for herself amongst the Washing diplomatic corps. Not necessarily a nice name, mind you. She's rumored to be overly-friendly with male Senators and diplomats...and even, gasp, married embassy staff. It's also said that she goes back to her music hall roots when she had a few more drinks than she ought to. And when the Ironmongers host their first diplomatic reception at their brand-new home/embassy, she manages to insult the Israeli ambassador and must be hustled off to her room before she can make an even bigger spectacle of herself. Despite having promised to behave herself and drink only straight tomato juice, she seems to have gotten herself thoroughly sloshed--to the point of passing out on her bed when she's taken upstairs.

That's when Mavis Ironmonger becomes front page news. Sir Edward sends his right-hand man Michael Holder-Watts to bring his wife back downstairs to say farewell to their guests, but Mavis has already made her final farewell...she's dead. With a gunshot in her head and Sir Edward's gun lying close at hand, it gives the initial appearance of suicide. Not the most savory of deaths for a diplomat's wife, but certainly better than the alternative...murder. And murder is just what it is. The Ironmonger's physician, flown in from Tampica, proves that Mavis was drugged (giving her the appearance of intoxication) and would have been out cold when the shot was fired. In an effort to keep things as quiet as possible, Sir Edward refuses to allow American officials to investigate a murder on what is Tampican soil and seeks help from Scotland Yard. He asks specifically for Chief Superintendent Henry Tibbett, a modest, self-effacing man whose gentlemanly demeanor masks a shrewd mind. His investigation takes him to Tampica and after interviews and a collection of clues he meets with Miss Pontefract-Deacon, known as the Queen of Tampica and a woman who knows everything there is to know about Tampica and its inhabitants. Between the two of them, they spot a pattern in the evidence and Tibbett will have to rush back to Washington to prevent a final murder.

Black Widower (1975) is not the best example of Patricia Moyes's detective fiction. The plot is serviceable and Henry Tibbett and his wife Emmy are their usual congenial selves, but transplanting them to Washington and the Caribbean doesn't work as well as their British adventures or even those that take place in Switzerland. And this time around the reader is hit over the head (repeatedly) with the primary clue. I didn't stop to count how many times it's mentioned, but I would think even the dullest of readers would pick up on the fact that was a most important item indeed. You might miss the connection with the suspect (although I kind of doubt that too).

There is a bit of interesting commentary built into the story on race relations. Modern readers will wince at the attitudes towards the islanders (or if they don't, they should), but having lived through the 70s, I definitely recognize the attitudes. It was very reassuring to see Emmy Tibbitt's reactions to the behavior, though.

Emmy felt her stomach turning over, and instinctively drew away from Pauline. Is it possible, she thought, that the woman really imagines that Francis can only hear her when she's actually talking to him? Is it possible that she is so insensitive as not to realize what she's saying? Doesn't she think he's human? Oh God, let's get away from them....

A book that's definitely of its time and perhaps it doesn't wear so well because of it. It would fare better if the plot were a little stronger and the clues not so obvious. Also, there is a political and financial theme running throughout the story that could have had more made of it, but I don't think Moyes was comfortable enough with the subject to use it more strongly. A decent read at ★★ and 3/4, rounded to three here.

First posted on my blog . Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the wife of the ambassador of a new island state is killed at a reception at the Washington embassy, Henry Tibbett is called in from Scotland Yard to conduct an unofficial investigation. The trail leads him and his wife Emmy from the embassy to the island of Tampico and then back to Georgetown to unveil the culprit. Mavis Ironmonger was a beautiful model when her husband met her in London, but she had no background that would prepare her for a role as a diplomat's wife, and her penchant for vulgarity and sleeping with most of the men around were handicapping her husband's career. But was it love or money that caused her death?

[Eric_W · Rating 4 out of 5]

"All seemed to be well. Mavis was standing very straight, ice-cold and elegant as a snow princess, keeping her mouth shut." Until she was introduced to the Israeli ambassador, at which time she began singing a rather obscene song with the Israeli as the main character. Hustled into her bedroom by an aide, she was discovered murdered a short time later. Mavis was the ravishing wife of the Tampican Ambassador, and in Patricia Moyes' pleasant mystery, Black Widower, Chief Inspector Henry Tippett of Scotland Yard is called in to resolve the puzzle. Moyes writes in the most gratifying manner. Little passages like, "There was a time when we thought Jesus Christ was due for a comeback, but he's fallen a bit flat. A few months back people used to carry bumper stickers saying 'Honk if you love Jesus.' Now there's a crop saying 'Honk if You Are Jesus’ -- which has quieted the streets considerably.”

[Louise Culmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sir Edward Ironmonger is ambassador to the U.S.A. for the Caribbean island of Tampica. When his young beautiful wife dies at a Washington reception apparently by suicide, but it is possibly murder, he is not satisfied to leave the investigation to the Washington authorities, but asks for Henry Tibbett of Scotland Yard. So Henry and Emmy come to Washington, and then to Tampira, to find out what is going on. I found this the least interesting of the Henry Tibbett books I have read so far. For one thing, the Tibbett’s don’t appear until about a third of the way through the book. For another, they seemed unsuited to the setting. None of the characters interested me particularly, and I thought that Lady Ironmonger’s parents were particularly poor characters - really just caricatures of a narrow minded lower middle class couple - I found myself sympathising with them, even though I wasn’t meant to, for being so savagely mocked. This is the first one I have read that I probably would not read again.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Sir Edward Ironmonger, the ambassador to the United States from the newly independent island republic of Tampica, and his beautiful, temperamental wife, Mavis, are throwing a party for the Washington diplomatic corps. Despite her promises to behave, Mavis manages to insult the Israeli ambassador and is quickly removed to her room, where her corpse is discovered a few hours later. Suicide is ruled out by an autopsy, and to avoid embarrassing publicity Chief Superintendent Henry Tibbett is brought in to conduct a discrete investigation."
~~back cover

Wonderful mystery with lots of red herrings and clues scattered amongst them. Poor Mavis, hated by so many people for so many different reasons. Did that group include her husband?

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Black Girl, White Girl before this one, even though this was written first. In BGWG, the Tibbetts return to Tampica, so I knew I had to track down their previous visit to understand how they came to know the characters in the other (notably Eddie Ironmonger and Lucy whatsits-of-the-odd-name).

The plot and twists in this book are enjoyable and not crazy or convoluted. The attitudes on the other hand - I suspect some of the blatant racism towards the islanders was typical of the period, but it's still a bit jarring to read. Moyes never did shy away from writing characters that you would not like in real life - and they're not always the bad guys (plot wise).

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again my friend gave me some light entertainment. This time Henry and Emmy get to visit both Washington, DC and the imaginary island of Tampica all in the same trip. Since I don't read these in order, I had encountered Tampica before in the tale Black Girl, White Girl.

This was a satisfying read except for some of the racial opinions of the characters. A lot has changed since this novel was written.

[Mbuye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any novel by Patricia Moyes is a winner, and this one has a few extras pinned to it for additional pleasure - a setting in the fancy Georgetown area of Washington, a holiday in a lush, unspoilt Caribbean island with snorkeling and swimming thrown in between spells of mild detection of murder in high society.

The rather disreputable but likeable wife of the Ambassador of a recently independent British colony, who is holding his first and very important reception, dies after insulting an important guest. As events turn out, she has been shot in the head, and the local doctor refuses to issue a certificate without an autopsy, which the Ambassador objects to. This part of the story is all about how the other half lives, as we learn about protocol, and the rights and privileges of embassies.

But under all that, there is a very obvious reason to murder Lady Ironmonger, and a second plot emerges, with the chance to destroy an island paradise. Detective Superintedent Henry Tibbetts, with a little bit of help from the most unexpected sources, threads a cautious way in the mazes of two countries and their political, financial and law enforcement agencies while solving at least two murders and arriving in time to prevent a third.

[Natalie T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tip-top vintage whodunit by British Patricia Moyes is a perfect time capsule of late 1960's-early 1970's politics, social strife, and mores, set in the Georgetown section of Washington D.C. (and featuring both a street protest by Black activists and a tony garden tour, both suspenseful) . . . and on the tiny and newly independent (from Britain) Caribbean island of Tampico (alas, fictional, or I'd book tickets immediately). The first diplomatic reception at the Tampico Embassy in Washington is marred by a slight snafu: the Ambassador's wife is murdered . . . .

Moyes serves up a delicious fair-play mystery with clues in plain sight, and a wildly entertaining cast of characters with agendas that ring absolutely true: we know their type, but can we spot the killer?

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scooped this one up at a book sale and I just dug it out, looking for a "lite read" for the end of the summer. It's a well-constructed "cozy" mystery, though none of the characters are well-developed enough to give it much depth. The descriptions of "Tampica" and Georgetown are interesting, and the plot and social commentary are sharp--all in all, just what I was looking for. A classic "camp read"!

[Eugene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and entertaining, with a good plot and exposition as well as an excellent “reveal.” Thus the merited 3rd star; to modern sensibilities, it all seemed a bit too conservative and almost antiseptic but it doesn’t suffer from that.
This is I believe the first of the Inspector Tibbett mysteries to occur in the Caribbean, but several of the later ones do as well. And if memory serves (which it doesn’t always do!), we will be revisiting the island of Tampica again…

[David C Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder in the embassy of a recently independent, small island nation and shady doings back on the island. Mayes liked sending Tibbett off on foreign trips, which seems unlikely in the real career of a Scotland Yard detective! Anyway, a bit too much touristy description of both the island and Washington. One of the weaker efforts; it’s never really clear why the murder(s) is committed.

[Ginny Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read from Aunt Milly's 1970s mystery book collection. Sir Eddie Ironmonger is the first Tampican ambassador after she received her independence from Great Britain. Scotland Yard dude Henry Tibbetts and expanding tourism on the isle. I'd read more from this author. 8/20

[Birthe Andersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. But not very exiting i was about to give up. It was okay but I had it Hard to remember the different characters.. Now i read in the comments it would have been eiser to read book 1 first.. I didn't even know therw was another one.. anyway not a book i would read again

[Joseph M · Rating 1 out of 5]

Skip it. There are so many other mysteries out there that aren't filled with racist, sexist, trash people.

[Diane Dunham]

Easy read. Entertaining.

[Pipina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, witty, civilised and interesting. I truly love this series.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this one slow to get into. It is not as good as others in this series.

[Matt Kolbet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this particular book wasn't her best, Moyes is a reliable, fun spinner of mysteries.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropical Location…

And political U.S. with a gallery of diplomats! Chief Inspector Tibbett & Emmy fit in anywhere! Fabulous characters, awesome plot*****

[Cate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting characters and plot, loved the settings. Enjoyable murder mystery. A little thin in some levels of believability, but overall enjoyable.

[Lyle Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Black Widower began a little slow but got much better when the Tibbet's entered the plot line.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chief Superintendant Henry Tibbett and his wife hear from their good friends in Washington DC the exciting news--a murder, right in their neighborhood. And not some everyday crime, but an ambassador's wife shot to death right in the middle of a reception at their own house.

Sir Edward Ironmonger, sent to the US from the fictional Caribbean country Tampica, was devoted to his beautiful wife, Mavis. But many had reason to want the woman dead, some because they were incensed at the interracial marriage, some because Mavis was so stupid that she was likely to ruin Ironmonger's career, and some because of past love affairs likely to come back to haunt them. Since the crime took place at the embassy, Ironmonger's seizes the chance to avoid calling in the DC police (he's in the middle of delicate negotiations with the US Navy and doesn't want the US involved in the crime scene) and asks for help from Scotland Yard.

I'm not sure how plausible that is, and various other points seem pretty unlikely. But I like the mystery and the characters enough to go along with it. The story moves quickly. The Tibbets return again and again to the Caribbean in this book, The Coconut Killings, and Angel Death. This is the first in the Caribbean series, followed by the others in that order.

[Teri Am · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series. They remind me of the cozy mystery series set in the 1920s and 1930s , yet they are set in the 1960s/1970s. Inspector Henry Tibbet is a marvelous character and I enjoy how the author shows some, but not all of his deduction process. The reveal was a total surprise to me, which makes reading the story more enjoyable. This is the first books that introduces a Carribean locale that is used later in the series. Will be reading all of the books in this series.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An nice puzzle that has Inspector Tibbett and Emmy traveling to the United States and the Caribbean to solve the murder of an ambassador's wife. While most of the books in this series are fully independent of others, Black Widower should be read before The Coconut Killings which I did not do.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the wife of Sir Edward Ironmonger is shot and killed in her bedroom at the Tampican Embassy in Washington, DC, during a reception, it is at first thought to be suicide. But the doctor — summoned from the island of Tampica — insists it was murder. But rather than submitting the case to the local authorities, Sir Edward requests the help of Chief Inspector Henry Tibbett from Scotland Yard. Henry is known for a certain flair that he calls his "nose", that informs him when a simple solution still feels wrong, as it does in this case, that stretches from Washington to Tampica and back again. As usual, the author's sly British humor flavors the story, which moves along at a very good pace. The characterization is excellent and the plot quite imaginative. Recommended.