Murder at Wedgefield Manor

As Neubauer's sprightly follow-up to 2020's Murder at the Mena House opens in 1926, American widow Jane Wunderly is taking flying lessons at the Essex estate of Lord Hughes, her aunt Millie's former lover, and getting acquainted with Lord Hughes's daughter, Lillian, who aspires to a golfing career. After Simon Marshall, a mechanic on the estate and a troubled WWI veteran, dies in an accident, Jane is disturbed to learn the car he was driving had been tampered with. She teams up with the handsome Mr. Redvers , who has resurfaced after their earlier encounter in Egypt, to investigate. Soon Lillian's cousin Alistair is poisoned, Lillian's friend Marie narrowly evades an attack, Jane is pushed into a stream by an unknown assailant, and Jane's flying instructor is hit over the head. Though attentive fans might guess the perpetrator, the country house intrigue and an unconventional chase reap rewards. Readers will look forward to further cases of the intrepid Jane and the mysterious Mr. Redvers. Agent: Ann Collette, Rees Literary. (Apr.)

Which of the veddy British suspects murdered the handsome young visitor? England, 1926. Exuberant narrator Jane Wunderly brings her yellow biplane in for less than a smooth landing, much to the consternation of her Aunt Millie but with the approval of Group Capt. Christopher Hammond and Lord Edward Hughes, on whose estate she's just landed. Plucky Jane can't help musing about the exciting Egyptian mystery that she recently solved and about Redvers, the dashing man who helped her. Where might he be? Back at the Hughes manor house, the company, which includes Millie's daughter, Lillian, and Lillian's friend Marie, settles in for dinner and mahjong. Flight Lt. Simon Marshall, who's dating Lillian, arrives unexpectedly, drinks too much, and storms off after launching some insults. Next morning, Jane receives two surprises when Simon's killed in a road accident and Redvers arrives unannounced. The news that Simon's brakes were tampered with marks his death a homicide. Inspector Greyson seems competent enough, but Millie and Lillian press Jane to investigate as well. The game is clearly afoot. The small circle of suspects also includes servants Martha, Queenie, and Alistair. Neubauer complicates her Agatha Christie homage with a slower narrative, less dialogue, and the addition of a slowly simmering romance. Suspects with secrets, a poisoning, and a kidnapping enliven the later chapters. A retro whodunit with a comfy cast and a nifty solution. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.