A gloomy old English country mansion - actually part of a ruined priory. A group of young, adventurous people who are determined to live in the house. A group of peculiar (and not overly friendly) villagers, full of tales of supernatural doings. A skeleton falling out of a wall. And a far-too-often-sighted cowled spectre known as "the monk." who may be haunting the place.
Just the everyday sort of thing for the characters in "Footsteps in the Dark
"Footsteps in the Dark" was Georgette Heyer's first mystery, published in 1932. While she is generally remembered more for her romances than for her mysteries, the latter were mostly quite good, written with humor. This one is more along the lines of an Edgar Wallace-type thriller than a traditional "puzzle" mystery - there does tend to be a fair amount of lurching from revelation to revelation - but the overall effect is delightful.
The story concerns Charles Malcolm, whose wife, Celia, along with her brother and sister, Peter and Margaret Fortescue, have inherited a ruined priory, in which they intend to live. The lack of electricity (I am not certain about running water!) appears to be no handicap to their determination. What might be a problem is the fact that the place apparently is haunted; a cowled figure, known as "The Monk," has been seen walking the halls at night.
Naturally, the quartet refuses to be frightened. And, equally naturally, things escalate to the point of murder. But the whole story is told with such good nature and humor that it is hard to take it as anything more than a fine evening's entertainment - which it is. You'll enjoy the characters - there are a few mysterious strangers running around, after all - and the Priory makes a wonderful setting - and there's much more going on there than may meet the eye.
Georgette Heyer's "Footsteps in the Dark" is back in print again from Sourcebooks Landmark; it is also available for the Amazon Kindle
Les - It's good to hear that some of these terrific novels are back. :-) And Heyer really was talented. You've reminded me that I need to spotlight one of her novels. And in this novel, the priory as a setting - what a great concept!
Posted by: Margot Kinberg | September 17, 2012 at 07:43 AM
Margot, I've read several others by Heyer (and have several more to go!). She has a very good sense of humor and isn't afraid to make fun of some of the conventions of the genre. And the priory is really a wonderful setting, and she takes full advantage of it.
Posted by: Les Blatt | September 17, 2012 at 07:52 AM
I read another mystery by Heyer that really didn't bowl me over but I'm kind of a sucker for "gloomy old English country mansion" type stuff. Might have to take a look.
Posted by: Bill | September 17, 2012 at 08:23 PM
Bill, I've read three of hers now and enjoyed them. I have a fourth sitting on my Kindle waiting to make its move to the top of the TBR pile. I enjoy her settings and her sense of humor.
Posted by: Les Blatt | September 17, 2012 at 08:35 PM