Death of a Mystery Writer

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From master mystery writer Robert Barnard, this early novel, first published in 1979, received an Edgar Award nomination for "Best Novel." Scribner reissues this beloved work from a respected name in crime writing. Sir Oliver Fairleigh-Stubbs, an overweight and overbearing figure, collapses and dies at his birthday party while indulging in rare liquors. Despite promising his daughter to be polite and charitable, the strain proves too much for him. His death leaves a family relieved to be free of his domineering presence and a fortune amassed from his success as a bestselling mystery author. Surprisingly, his elder son, who openly despised him, inherits most of the estate, while his wife, daughter, and younger son receive royalties from a single, carefully chosen book. However, the manuscript of an unpublished volume, a potential goldmine left to Sir Oliver's wife, has vanished. As suspicions grow about the nature of Sir Oliver's death, Inspector Meredith, a spirited Welshman resembling the author's fictional hero, enters the scene. In Barnard's adept hands, Meredith's investigation unfolds as a classic example of detection, infused with elegance and humor, revealing the complexities of family dynamics and the darker side of literary fame.