The first in an exciting new historical mystery series set in the
home of Agatha Christie!
Colleen Cambridge's charming and inventive new historical series
introduces an unforgettable heroine in Phyllida Bright, fictional
housekeeper for none other than famed mystery novelist Agatha Christie.
When a dead body is found during a house party at the home of Agatha
Christie and her husband Max Mallowan, it's up to famous author's head
of household, Phyllida Bright, to investigate...
Tucked away among Devon's rolling green hills, Mallowan Hall combines
the best of English tradition with the modern conveniences of 1930.
Housekeeper Phyllida Bright, as efficient as she is personable, manages
the large household with an iron fist in her very elegant glove. In one
respect, however, Mallowan Hall stands far apart from other picturesque
country houses...
The manor is home to archaeologist Max Mallowan and his famous wife,
Agatha Christie. Phyllida is both loyal to and protective of the crime
writer, who is as much friend as employer. An aficionado of detective
fiction, Phyllida has yet to find a gentleman in real life half as
fascinating as Mrs. Agatha's Belgian hero, Hercule Poirot. But though
accustomed to murder and its methods as frequent topics of conversation,
Phyllida is unprepared for the sight of a very real, very dead body on
the library floor...
A former Army nurse, Phyllida reacts with practical common sense--and a
great deal of curiosity. It soon becomes clear that the victim arrived
at Mallowan Hall under false pretenses during a weekend party. Now,
Phyllida not only has a houseful of demanding guests on her hands--along
with a distracted, anxious staff--but hordes of reporters camping
outside. When another dead body is discovered--this time, one of her
housemaids--Phyllida decides to follow in M. Poirot's footsteps to
determine which of the Mallowans' guests is the killer. With help from
the village's handsome physician, Dr. Bhatt, Mr. Dobble, the butler,
along with other household staff, Phyllida assembles the clues. Yet, she
is all too aware that the killer must still be close at hand and poised
to strike again. And only Phyllida's wits will prevent her own story
from coming to an abrupt end...
