DANDY GILVER & THE PROPER TREATMENT OF BLOOD STAINS, by Catriona McPherson

2/series. For a series that is no-nonsense mystery (no knitting circles, scone bakers, antiques dealers, or basket weavers, thank you very much), you cannot do better than this series set in Edinburgh in 1926. The mystery is all; what a pleasant change! Consummate upper-class Scotswoman (or is she a Brit?) Dandelion Gilver goes downscale as she pretends to be a lady's maid in order to protect a woman who thinks her husband wants to kill her. Hard to believe the wealthy, charming Pip Balfour has sinister designs on Lollie. When the murder does occur (and with a promptness most amazing), the victim is not the expected one. Oh, now I have a real problem. Any more and I may spoil the read...so, no more. Intricate, witty, just convoluted enough, the very original ending will startle you (well, it did me). A 5.

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