Hand in Glove

 Hand in Glove by Ngaio Marsh (1962) 239 pages

Nicola Maitland-Mayne is a typist who has been hired by Percival Pyke Period, who wants to write a book. Little does Nicola know the drama to come: Desiree, Lady Bantling--larger than life, renowned for her parties--lives nearby with Bimbo, her third husband. Her second husband, Harold Cartell, and his obnoxious dog, now live with Percival. Harold's sister, Connie, lives on the next estate over. Connie's adopted daughter, Moppet, has a boyfriend who has been in trouble with the law, and it looks like Moppet is going astray, but Connie thinks Moppet can do no wrong. Lady Bantling's son Andrew, is trying to coax his guardians, one of whom is Harold, to allow him to buy an art gallery, to no avail. When Harold is found dead in a ditch being dug for a sewer line on Percival's property, everyone looks suspicious, with the possible exception of the typist. When Inspector Alleyn is called in by the local authorities, he is the picture of calm, clear thinking, although it must be admitted that this cast of characters tests Alleyn's temper more than once. Fun Sunday afternoon read.