Death in a White Tie

Inspector Alleyn Mystery: 7

ISBN: 0-7451-4217-6 Order from: Amazon.com

A charming, if somewhat improbable mystery, full of high-level society and predictable, but nonetheless well-described characters.

Reviewed by David on December 07, 2003

Genre: Mystery (Police Procedural)

Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of Death in a White Tie. In the English upper class between the wars, there is a revival of old-fashioned traditions. The London Season is just starting, and expensively-gowned debutants come out as their parents or guardians home for good marriage.

This almost Regency atmosphere is under siege from more modern developments, with some women having independent careers, and telephones and cars connecting the noble houses. Yet while some resist this in fear, others plunge into the nostalgic revival with panache and swashbuckling charm.

Lord Robert Gospell is one of the latter. Short, plump and dramatically dressed, he might be a comic figure—were it not for his humor, razor wit, kindness, and a strong sense of duty. It is the latter that urges him to help an old friend, Inspector Alleyn, when a whiff of blackmail mars the glittering Season. The fashionable society hides some strong and ugly motivations, and Alleyn's quiet investigation soon turns into a murder inquiry.

Full Review: The novel, taking place, as it were, far from the encroaching political troubles or any intimations of the coming war, seems to be in a halcion recreation of Regency England. And some of the characters, and subplots, seem to come straight from the Regency subgenre. Yet the author has a deft hand in mixing the more modern society with the world of Lords and Debutants, gambling hells and fingerprints.

The result is a charming, if a bit unlikely confection of a novel. The combination of classic mystery with a small set of suspects, all with good motives, high society, with romance between Alleyn and Troy, works well.

There are a few predictable subplots, but the skilled style, likable protagonist, and a helpful dash of realistic human behavior makes this mystery a pleasant diversion.

Overall: 6; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 5.5; Style: 6; World-building: 5.5; Originality: 5.5;

ISBN: 0-7451-4217-6 Order from: Amazon.com