[READ: December 20, 2022] Skelton’s Guide to Suitcase Murders
I admit that I thought this book was called Skeleton’s Guide… which I thought as very funny.
But it turns out that Skelton is a barrister (and this is the second book in the Skelton series). David Stafford is a British writer who has written largely for TV and theatre until he started writing novels. He has written plays with Alexei Sayle (for fans of The Young Ones).
This mystery is set in 1929. That setting allows Stafford to avoid any kind of contemporary details that might help speed the case along. But it’s written in such a way that you’re not frustrated by it–you can simply get into the nearly 100 year old technology (and lack thereof).
In November 1929, a woman’s corpse is discovered in a suitcase. She is identified and her husband, Doctor Ibrahim Aziz becomes the prime suspect. They find some evidence and there is a rumor that she was cheating on him. So clearly he is guilty. Especially since he’s not from England–he’s Egyptian.
Arthur Skelton is a barrister. He’s not 100% successful, but he gives his all in hopeless cases. So he is called in to represent Aziz.
Skelton is concerned for diplomatic matters if Aziz is executed here. He is related to a wealthy and well-connected family back in Egypt.
The story, despite dealing with a gruesome murder, has some funny moments. Skelton’s clerk Edgar is trying to lose weight and is quite miserable. (more…)
