Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Dell (1990), 288 pages
Description
Whilst on a trip to the sunny Channel Islands to find the heir to a lucrative tax law case, young barrister Michael Cantrip finds himself in over his head. Peculiar things begin to occur on the mysterious and isolated islands with something - or somebody -- bumping off members of his legal team. With the help of his mentor, amateur investigator Hilary Tamar, Cantrip, must find a safe passage back to the Lincoln's Inn Chambers.
User reviews
LibraryThing member SChant
OK - not as appealing as her others.
LibraryThing member themulhern
Amusing but unsatisfying.
LibraryThing member thorold
Professor Hilary Tamar and the young barristers are faced with two suspicious deaths within a group of tax professionals handling a complex trust case referred to as "the Daffodil settlement", which of course gives us the opportunity for a few exotic location scenes in the Cayman Islands, Monaco
Another innovation is an irresponsible visiting uncle straight out of P.G. Wodehouse, who provides his share of laughs for us, as well as allowing Caudwell her silliest dénouement scene yet. The name "Daffodil" should also put us on our guard that this story is full of ironic references to old-style British academic detective stories (such as those of Professor Tamar's Oxford colleague, Michael Innes), including a Clue of a type no-one has got away with since about 1930 (a pen bearing the initials of its owner), a Shakespeare parallel, a complete set of Biggles books, and a motive of considerable antiquity.
Very entertaining, and probably full of hidden in-jokes for tax lawyers as well.
Show More
and the Channel Islands. Writing in 1989, Caudwell's preferred epistolary technique hasn't yet been able to benefit from the invention of email, but she cleverly gets a Telex machine installed at 62, New Court, which provides her characters the opportunity to communicate in writing without the need to allow for postal delays. Another innovation is an irresponsible visiting uncle straight out of P.G. Wodehouse, who provides his share of laughs for us, as well as allowing Caudwell her silliest dénouement scene yet. The name "Daffodil" should also put us on our guard that this story is full of ironic references to old-style British academic detective stories (such as those of Professor Tamar's Oxford colleague, Michael Innes), including a Clue of a type no-one has got away with since about 1930 (a pen bearing the initials of its owner), a Shakespeare parallel, a complete set of Biggles books, and a motive of considerable antiquity.
Very entertaining, and probably full of hidden in-jokes for tax lawyers as well.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Lynn_Kathleen_Barker
Brilliantly funny and suspenseful.
LibraryThing member Meredy
Six-word review: Stylish blend of mystery and humor.
Extended review:
The third novel in an all-too-brief series finds one of the junior barristers of Lincoln's Inn on the small island of Sark in the Channel Islands. Unlikely as it might seem, Cantrip has been called in to consult on a case involving
The strange mix of obscure law, misplaced records, and lost heirs is soon complicated by two murders. With Cantrip himself at risk, Professor Hilary Tamar engages his deductive powers to discover the true motive behind the crimes and rescue his young colleague.
Once again, much of the forward motion of the story occurs through correspondence. But Hilary doesn't miss the chance for a nice getaway at someone else's expense, and his arrival on the scene foils the perpetrator's plans.
Caudwell is as good as anyone at blending light-hearted entertainment with the solving of violent crimes. Like all good cozy mysteries, the Tamar series doesn't get too messy; the investigation is just the pretext for her main character's exhibition of problem-solving prowess while enjoying the collegiality of a charming crew. For us as well as for Hilary, they make delightful company.
Extended review:
The third novel in an all-too-brief series finds one of the junior barristers of Lincoln's Inn on the small island of Sark in the Channel Islands. Unlikely as it might seem, Cantrip has been called in to consult on a case involving
Show More
tax law and inheritance.The strange mix of obscure law, misplaced records, and lost heirs is soon complicated by two murders. With Cantrip himself at risk, Professor Hilary Tamar engages his deductive powers to discover the true motive behind the crimes and rescue his young colleague.
Once again, much of the forward motion of the story occurs through correspondence. But Hilary doesn't miss the chance for a nice getaway at someone else's expense, and his arrival on the scene foils the perpetrator's plans.
Caudwell is as good as anyone at blending light-hearted entertainment with the solving of violent crimes. Like all good cozy mysteries, the Tamar series doesn't get too messy; the investigation is just the pretext for her main character's exhibition of problem-solving prowess while enjoying the collegiality of a charming crew. For us as well as for Hilary, they make delightful company.
Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Anthony Award (Nominee — Novel — 1990)
Crime Writers' Association Awards (Shortlist — 1989)
Agatha Award (Nominee — Novel — 1989)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1989
Physical description
288 p.; 4.19 inches
ISBN
0440207452 / 9780440207450