The Green Plaid Pants by Margaret Scherf
Why does everyone suddenly want to get their hands
on bonnie Prince Charlie’s trousers?
Emily Bryce was complaining that life had been a bit dull since she and Henry got married. That was before she went to England on a decorating job and brought back to New York not only an entire eccentric (is there any other kind?) English family but a pair of bonnie Prince Charlie’s green plaid trousers. The pants weren’t much to look at, but it seemed like just about everyone wanted to snatch them away from Emily.
As an historical rarity the pants weren’t particularly valuable and probably not even genuine. Emily was quite puzzled by all the fuss and decided the pants no doubt concealed a fortune. All her probing, however, yielded little more than some dubious royal lint. The cops didn’t seem to concerned about the pants. They were far more interested in how one of the Brits met an untimely death at the edge of a sword. Since the victim didn’t know anyone in the United States, it seemed likely that the swordsman was a member of the entourage from England. And somehow those multi-colored pants of Charlie’s seemed linked to his death.
Emily does a bit of unorthodox sleuthing and gets knocked on the head for her trouble while Henry is nearly poisoned. Then the last person in the world you’d suspect pulls a gun on our heroes. It all adds up to another sparkling comedy of mismanners by one of the funniest mystery writers of the twentieth century.
The Green Plaid Pants was first published in 1951 and was the second book to feature Emily and Henry Bryce.
This was a good read. Solid plot and lots of laughs! Emily isn’t one of my favorite characters, but I really liked her husband Henry, friend Link and the deli and deli owner across the street from their apartment. Two great settings, England and New York City. Not as good as a Little Sister’s romp but well worth the read!
Death Turns the Tables by John Dickson Carr 1941
Suspicion was widely scattered…
when Anthony Morell – handsome dabbler in amour and extortion,
was found dead in Judge Ireton’s seaside cottage…
Evidence pointed to the good judge himself – but Dr. Gideon Fell privately questioned the innocence of Constance – the Judge’s too beautiful daughter, engaged to the deceased, Fred Barlow – the Judge’s too capable aide, in love with his daughter, Jane Tennant – too rich society girl – unhappily, in love with Mr. Barlow.
A fascinating puzzle… mixing blackmail, revenge, and murder – with humor and sparkling dialogue – a plot only the brilliant mind of Dr. Gideon Fell could unravel.
Great read! I haven’t read a Dickson Carr in a few years. It was pure joy! Complicated as ever and a satisfying finish. The Judge is a bit overbearing and full of himself. He has a hard edge, never taking into consideration circumstances or extenuating issues. There’s a bit of a sadistic streak to how he meters out justice with mercy. Well maybe the tables are about to turn on him!
This is an old paperback copy with 35 cents in the front corner. In the story a new house for sale was mentioned for $650! Oh for those days!
Peggy's Porch 