Sheer Folly by Carola Dunn, a Mysterious Review.

Review: Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher investigates an accident (or is it murder?) in an architectural folly in Sheer Folly, the 18th mystery in this series by Carola Dunn.

An eclectic group of men and women have assembled at Appsworth Hall, the estate of Mr. Brin Pritchard, the wealthy owner of Pritchard Plumbing Products. Mr. Pritchard has modernized a local cave into a fantastic grotto, reportedly the most beautiful in all the area. Daisy, a writer, and her friend, Lucy, a photographer, are working together on a book of architectural follies and this grotto seems to be an ideal example. Pritchard invites them to come out for a long weekend to learn about and photograph it.

Living at the mansion are Winifred Howell, Pritchard's sister-in-law and acting lady of the house since Pritchard's wife's death, and her son Owen. The weekend visitors include Charles Armitage, a Professor of History from Canada who is it researching the estate, Lady Beaufort and her daughter Lucy, Lady Ottaline and her husband Sir Desmond Wandersley, a civil servant with the Ministry of Health, and his private secretary Carlin, and Lord Rydal, better known as "Rhino", a suitor of Lucy and rumored paramour of another of the ladies in attendance.

But the weather isn't cooperating, and it isn't the only thing that ultimately ruins the weekend. Lord Rydal is killed in the grotto when it blows up, burying him under the rubble. Daisy is eager to get involved, but the local police want her to stay out. But she's not married to a Scotland Yard Detective Chief Inspector for nothing, and calls him in knowing he will allow her to snoop around and seek clues to mystery surround Rhino's death.

Sheer Folly is a delight to read. The author has a good eye and ear for the ways and manner of the aristocracy of 1926 England, and incorporates both into the murder mystery plot. The characters are eccentric without being clichés and the setting perfect for a manor house mystery (even if the murder takes place in a cave). Fans of both cozies and historical mysteries will be taken with the latest entry in this long-running series.

Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Sheer Folly.

Sheer Folly

A Daisy Dalrymple Mystery by Carola Dunn