Death in the Stocks by Georgette Heyer

Georgette Heyer, famous for her Regencies, also added to her stock some delectable mysteries set in the Golden Era. The writing is crisp with snappy dialogue and eccentric characters. I found myself laughing more than once. Part of the charm of this Era is coming across sophisticated people-very reminiscent of The Thin Man Movies. This book is of course set in pre-war partying of the thirties with dinner parties and lots of drinking.

The Verekers, Tony and Kenneth are brother and sister. Along with Murgatroyd, their maid, they live in artistic quarters and rub along. Arnold, the older brother, is murdered and discovered in the Stocks near a Village, where he has a little hideaway for Women. It could almost be a bad joke but it isn't. Inspector Hannasyde is assigned to the case and focuses on the Verekers and their friends. The mixture of secretiveness and naivete mixed with a second murder adds to the mix. I didn't try to figure out who the Murderer was I just enjoyed the Story for its mixture of fun and buildup.

If you enjoy Mysteries from the 1930's and 1940's add this one to your collection. I am a big fan of that period and I really enjoyed this Story with all its froth and cunning characters. I plan on continuing with the series and I am giving it five stars.

Blurb:
A Moonlit Night, a Sleeping Village, and an Unaccountable Murder...
In the dead of the night, a man in an evening dress is found murdered, locked in the stocks on the village green. Unfortunately for Superintendent Hannasyde, the deceased is Andrew Vereker, a man hated by nearly everyone, especially his odd and unhelpful family members. The Verekers are as eccentric as they are corrupt, and it will take all Hannasyde's skill at detection to determine who's telling the truth, and who is pointing him in the wrong direction. The question is: who in this family is clever enough to get away with murder?
"Miss Heyer's characters act and speak with an ease and conviction that is refreshing as it is rare in the ordinary mystery novel."-Times Literary Supplement