An aristocrat dies under fishy circumstances in this tale by "the finest writer in the English language of the pure, classical puzzle whodunnit" (The Sun).In an almost unspeakably charming little English village, one of the local aristocrats turns up dead next to the local trout-stream with, in fact, a trout at his side. Everyone is dreadfully upset, of course, but really, just a tad irritated as well—murder is so awfully messy. Inspector Alleyn doesn't quite fit in among the inbred gentry, but they'll allow him to do his work and clear the matter up—though they do wish he didn't feel compelled to ask quite so many questions . . ."The brilliant Ngaio Marsh ranks with Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers." —Times Literary Supplement"A peerless practitioner of the slightly surreal, English-village comedy-mystery." —Kirkus Reviews"Any Ngaio Marsh story is certain to be Grade A." —The New York Times

An antiquarian book dealer spends his vacation investigating murder in this series opener from Agatha Christie's favorite American author.New York handwriting and rare book expert—and a gentleman sleuth—Henry Gamadge is vacationing in coastal Maine when the police there need his help. It's a strange case involving a seemingly natural death, a large inheritance, a mysterious nighttime rendezvous, and a troupe of summer stock actors who start dying off. Something is clearly afoot, but nothing quite seems to fit. With an eye for frauds, Gamadge is just what the local detective needs to throw the book at a killer . . ."Daly offers the reader a challenging case with a believable pair of sleuths, all set in a beautiful and distinctive context." —Margot Kinberg, author of A Matter of Motive

Two classic mystery stories by a Golden Age Queen of Crime, the author of the Albert Campion series who "stands out like a shining light" (Agatha Christie). "Margery Allingham deserves to be rediscovered."—P. D. James, New York Times–bestselling author"Wanted: Someone Innocent"At a retirement reception for their headmistress, twenty-year-old Gillie Brayton is swept away by the wealthy Rita Fayre to work for her in London. Gillie's job is to accompany Rita's convalescent husband, but a shocking tragedy reveals the motive behind her employment: murder. "Last Act"Gathered at the country residence of Madame Zoffany, an aging star of the French stage, are her ward, both grandsons who stand to inherit her fortune, and her longtime servants. And though they are all used to Zoff's theatrics, it still comes as a surprise when the grande dame takes her final curtain call—and the spotlight of suspicion shines on them all… Praise for Margery Allingham "The best of mystery writers."—The New Yorker "Don't start reading these books unless you are confident that you can handle addiction."—The Independent "One of the finest Golden-Age crime novelists."—The Sunday Telegraph

Beautifully written ... a unique tale told in a unique voice' - S.G. Maclean Summer, 1522. In a wave of pomp, Henry VIII's court welcomes the Imperial emperor, Charles V. Anthony Blanke, the son of the king's late 'black trumpet', John Blanke, is called to Hampton Court by his former employer, Cardinal Wolsey. The cardinal is preparing a gift for King Henry: a masque of King Arthur and the Black Knight. Anthony is to take centre stage. The festive mood, however, quickly sours. Wolsey's historian, charged with proving the king's descent from King Arthur, is found murdered, his body posed in a gruesome tableau. A reluctant Anthony is charged with investigating the affair. His mission takes him on the path trod by the historian, through ancient monastic libraries and the back streets of London. On a journey that takes him from Hampton Court to Windsor and Winchester, and which sees him lock horns with secretive monks, historian Polydore Vergil, and a new face at court, Anne Boleyn, he must discover the murderer, secure the great masque, and avoid King Henry's wrath.