'Murder most enjoyable' Colin Dexter Ex-Princess Etheline, daughter of the exiled king of Mitteleuropia, has been kidnapped during a visit to Tawcester Towers, ancestral seat of the Dukes of Tawcester, and ducal family honour demands that she should be rescued. The Dowager Duchess entrusts the task to her son, the Right Hon. Devereux Lyminster, known universally as 'Blotto'. He is, of course, terribly handsome, honourable and brave, but as sadly deficient in the brains department as his sister 'Twinks' is gifted. So the siblings set off, accompanied by trusty chauffeur, Corky Froggett. They drive across many countries to Mitteleuropia, a realm now ruled by a usurper, the ex-king's brother, where they suspect the princess has been taken. Can brave Blotto and Twinks rescue Ethelinda, or will they meet their end in the evil clutches of King Vlatislav? Praise for Simon Brett: 'A new Simon Brett is an event for mystery fans' P. D. James 'Perfect entertainment' Guardian 'Few crime writers are so enchantingly gifted' Sunday Times 'Simon Brett writes stunning detective stories. I would recommend them to anyone.' Jilly Cooper

サイモン・ブレットが描く本作の真髄は、黄金時代の英国ミステリへの深い敬愛と、それを鮮やかに裏切る知的なパロディ精神の融合にあります。美男子だが驚くほどおめでたい貴族のブロットと、明晰な頭脳を持つ妹トゥインクスという対照的な兄妹像は、単なるコメディの枠を超え、伝統的な英雄像や階級社会への痛烈かつ愛のある風刺として機能しています。 物語の端々に散りばめられたウィットに富んだ文体は、読者を戦間期の華やかな冒険へと誘いつつ、予定調和を心地よく破壊してくれます。高潔さと愚かさが同居する美学、そして洗練された言葉の裏に隠された英国流の皮肉。これこそが、知的な大人の遊び心を刺激し、ページをめくる手を止めさせない本作の圧倒的な魅力なのです。