Accident by Design (Collins, 1950) by E. C. R. Lorac is the 34th appearance of Scotland Yard Chief Inspector Robert Macdonald. Even with more than 45 books to her credit by this time, Lorac (real name Edith Rivett) demonstrates she’s not out of ideas.
What’s left of the Vanstead family has gathered at Templedean Place, an Elizabethan manor in the Cotswolds, to be near Charles Vanstead in his last months. The two older sons were killed in the war, leaving Judith and Gerald as the only living children. Gerald was the family misfit, he left for Malaya years before, getting caught up in the Japanese occupation. Judith remained, caring for her parents as their health failed and managing the estate. Walter, Charles’ younger brother, took refuge at Templedean during the war and never left. Herbert Standish joined the staff as Mr. Vanstead’s secretary after the war and expanded his responsibilities to support Judith as well. Beach the chauffeur has a well-paid and easy job. Gilbert Barton is tenant farmer on the property who also acts as agent.
Gerald as the only son is the known heir. He, his wife Meriel, and son Alan have returned to settle into their expected new lives as owner and manager of the extensive property. They aren’t getting along with anyone. Antipodean Meriel is loud and brash and their child is an unpleasant brat. All of the current Templedean menage are appalled at the idea of the wastrel Gerald and his low-class wife taking over the property.
Meriel is tired of being treated with disdain and wants to return to Australia with Alan. Gerald is torn between his responsibilities to them and his love for his family home. He takes refuge in the bottle, often and extensively. He has begun driving too fast after drinking too much. No one is surprised when he and Meriel are killed in a single-car accident.
Villages being what they are, it doesn’t take long for comments about the convenience of their deaths to start flying. The local constables were not convinced either. They talk to the Chief Constable who does not see concrete evidence to accuse anyone, but when Alan dies after another apparent accident he decides to call in Scotland Yard.
Classic Lorac, an interesting scenario with rounded characters and a well-concealed killer in a vividly sketched rural setting. As always she is fascinated by farming and the countryside. I think what strikes me the most is how seldom I see a child killed in crime fiction. Christie killed children in a couple of her books but I can’t think of another author who was brave enough to try it. Just like cats and dogs, children are off-limits to writers searching for a murder victim. For fans of post-war crime fiction and essential for followers of Edith Rivett.