Wallace, Edgar - The Coat of Arms (1931) aka The Arranways Mystery

The Coat of Arms is a roadhouse in the village of Sketchley, run by the enigmatic John Lorney. When the local manor house burns down he acquires some new guests -- tetchy, jealousy-obsessed Lord Arranways, his wife Marie, her brother Dick Mayford and their hanger-on, Keith Keller. They are joined by a retired American detective, Mr Rennett, and a mysterious orphan from Canada, Anna Jeans.

Sketchley is full of mysteries. What happened to the Old Man who killed a guard and escaped from the local asylum? Why does the local burglar return stolen goods to the exact spots he took them from? Is Rennett following the Arranways? Another is added when Keller is murdered, and Inspector T.B. Collett comes down from Scotland Yard to investigate -- hampered by the frenzied activities of the local Superintendent, Blagdon. But at last the thing is sorted out to everyone's satisfaction.

Not a detective story -- though there is some serious investigation in the latter part of the book, and even a few clues -- but a fairly 'straight' novel by Wallace's standards. Some readers may find it slow-moving; others will appreciate the exploration of character and motive not usually found in books by this author. Collett is not a classic character in the vein of J.B. Reeder or the Sooper, but he provides some touches of humour to lighten the tension. Names are a little clumsier than usual -- Keller, Collett and Rennett are hard to keep straight. A fairly good but atypical Wallace.

The Coat of Arms should soon be available from Gutenberg Australia.

Jon.