Death and the Dancing Footman
Ngaio Marsh
Felony & Mayhem Press
<p>The unspeakably wealthy (and generally unspeakable) Jonathan Royal has decided to throw a party. And because nothing amuses him more than others' discomfort, he has studded the guest-list with people who loathe one another. Their mutual enmity would be delicious enough on its own, but Royal can only barely contain his delight when the snowfall, at first so pretty, turns to a blizzard and imprisons them all. Murder, of course, is the eventual outcome, but&#8212;in true Christie-esque tradition, there are nearly as many suspects as there are potential victims. And while Inspector Alleyn does (of course) show up to put things right, the great pleasure in this book lies in the characterizations, not least of the titular footman, whose favorite dance, it seems, is "Boomps-a-daisy!"</p>