I have been looking into mysteries that I missed one way or another when they were new. One series that sailed past me when it was published in the 1980s features London barrister Robert Forsythe and his highly competent secretary Abigail Sanderson in 10 traditional mysteries by Doris Giroux Shannon (1924-2012) writing under the name E. X. Giroux. Born in New York and living in Canada all her life, Shannon worked for the Royal Bank of Canada before she launched her writing career, first publishing romantic suspense and then turning to mysteries.
Forsythe is another of those lawyers who does his best work outside a courtroom. Miss Sanderson, whom Forsythe inherited from his barrister father, in addition to running the law office, is an active partner in any investigation Forsythe undertakes. At the beginning of A Death for a Darling (St. Martins Press, 1985) Miss Sanderson convinces Forsythe that they both need a vacation and that the office can be left safely in the hands of the two junior barristers. Forsythe plans a fishing trip to Scotland and she travels north to visit a family friend who lives alone with a pair of servants.
In a few days Miss Sanderson telephones Forsythe to insist that he stop by her friend’s house on his way to Scotland. Forsythe reluctantly does so to find that the old mansion has been taken over by a motion picture crew that is filming a modernization of Wuthering Heights with one of the film industry’s hottest new male stars and Forsythe’s favorite female actress.
Forsythe is tongue-tied in Erika Von Farr’s presence, and he’s stunned to learn she is engaged to her co-star, Michael Dowling, known as Mickey Darling to his fans. It’s quickly apparent that Dowling is no darling at all. He is boorish, egocentric, and an unabashed user of every person he encounters. What Erika sees in him is a mystery. The film crew all despise him, some have a history of ill will with Dowling that goes back years, and the tension is thick. Before Forsythe can extract himself from this unpleasant situation, the murders begin.
Chief Inspector Adam Kepesake and Detective Sergeant Brummell, inevitably called Beau, from Scotland Yard are promptly called in and express delight at finding Forsythe on site. They are quick to take him into their confidence, despite Forsythe’s growing desire to leave.
Forsythe and Miss Sanderson make an excellent investigative team. He has the ability to step back and assess people and their actions from different angles, while she is perceptive and provides thoughtful insight into a murky situation. The resolution is unexpected but satisfying.
The English literature specialists among us will find the proposed modernization of Wuthering Heights to be nothing short of hair raising. The idea of Heathcliff on a motorcycle scooping Catherine up and absconding with her is mind-boggling.
The story precedes the availability of electronic resources for detection, which dates it a bit, but not enough to matter. A solid traditional mystery for anyone who needs a new series. Recommended.