A Charitable Body: A Novel of Suspense [Paperback]

What an honor, to become a trustee of one of England’s distinguished stately homes.Yorkshire cop Charlie Peace’s wife Felicity is at first thrilled when she’s asked to help oversee Walbrook Manor, a recent gift to the nation. It’s not long, though, before both she and Charlie smell trouble. Suspenseful, witty and, as always, superbly insightful,A Charitable Bodyshows Barnard at his scintillating best.Robert Barnard (1936–2013) was awarded the Agatha Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Nero Wolfe Award, and the Macavity Award. An eight-time Edgar nominee, he was a member of Britain’s distinguished Detection Club, and in May 2003, he received the Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement in mystery writing. CHAPTER 1
Change of Life


“Very nice,” said Rupert Fiennes, licking his tongue delicately around his lips. “Boiled is easily my favorite way of having an egg.”

“The easiest, anyway,” said his cousin Mary-Elizabeth rather grimly, as was her wont whenever anything even remotely connected to their new and only comparative penury came up. “Mrs. Tower always said it was a very poor sort of breakfast.”

“Oh, Mrs. Tower was devoted to bacon and sausages, to mushrooms and black pudding,” said Rupert. “We had to have them because she enjoyed them herself. I always hated piled-high breakfasts in the army, and I hoped for something simpler when I got out. Croissants, maybe, or cold meats and cheeses. As so often, Walbrook Manor defeated me.”

“Don’t be disrespectful of Walbrook. You know it pains me to the heart that we have lost it.”

“It doesn’t pain me to the heart, but I’ll try to be silent in my rejoicings in future.”

They were just finishing the washing-up when Mary-Elizabeth looked at her watch.

“Oh goody! There’l"