Village Affairs

Best friends Phillip Bethancourt, a wealthy man-about-town, and Scotland Yard Detective Sergeant Jack Gibbons are each on their way to Yorkshire over Christmas, though not together, and neither of them are looking forward to their respective trips. While Phillip is returning to his family’s estate to spend the holiday with relatives---a dreaded task---Jack must determine whether a particular murder is the work of a serial killer. It looks like it most likely is. As it turns out, Jack isn’t on the case for more than a day before the understaffed locals ask him to look in to another.

Jodie Farrady, a former bookshop employee who disappeared about a year ago, is found strangled in that same shop Christmas morning. The modus operandi is similar to the serial killer’s, but not exactly the same. It could be a copycat. It could be a coincidence. Either way, Jack could certainly use his good friend’s help as he investigates the citizens of a Yorkshire that has suddenly turned quite deadly. Luckily, Phillip is all too eager to escape his own holiday and join the hunt.

A Spider on the Stairs---Cassandra Chan’s contemporary reimagining of the classic English mystery---is not only a tale that is every bit as delightful and charming as the luminaries in this beloved tradition, but by far its most worthy heir.

The theft of the diamond necklace and the antique pistols might all be explained, but the body in the lake that really was a puzzle. Don’t expect me to solve anything,’ Inspector Wilkens announced modestly when he arrived to sort out the unpleasantness. And at a gathering that included English aristocracy, foreign agents in disguise, a ravishing baroness, a daring jewel thief, a Texan millionaire and, of course, the imperturbable butler, it was going to take some intricate sleuthing to uncover who killed whom and why.

Lights. Camera. Action!

The Earl of Burford can’t believe his luck; the famous actor Rex Ransom wants to film his next feature at Alderley, the family’s beautiful country estate. Somewhat less enthusiastic is the Countess, who suddenly finds herself hosting an impromptu house party for the incoming Hollywood crowd. It’s almost too much for poor Merryweather, the family’s imperturbable butler, to cope with. And that’s before the murder in the dead of night…

By morning, Inspector Wilkins is cast in the unlikely role of hero, as he tiptoes through the evidence and endeavours to unravel the thoroughly baffling mystery…and work out just what a mutilated mink coat has to do with anything.

And then there were eight…

Understandably, Lord Burford had some misgivings about hosting another house party at Alderley, his beautiful country mansion. After all, the previous two could at best be described as disastrous. But with family members travelling down for a relative’s funeral, the Earl really had no choice but to offer them accommodation.

It didn’t take long for things to start going wrong. One of the guests claimed she had knowledge that would ruin the others’ reputations, but luckily nobody took her seriously enough to take offence. At least, that’s what they thought up until her body was found…