This 1971 mystery novel follows the story of Gregory Rob Roberts, a teacher of English literature, as he is questioned by the police after his ex-wife receives an anonymous note quoting a poetic elegy. Superintendent Burnivel and his assistant Hunt are called in to investigate a series of murders, each with a poetic elegy left by the remains. Red herrings abound in this relatively short novel, and the language settles down to highly literate and readable after starting off a bit superior and superficial. It is a great read for mystery fans, as it is reminiscent of P.D. James. Edward Candy was the pseudonym of Barbara Alison Neville, who was born in London and earned a medical degree while writing about a dozen books, three of which are medical mysteries.

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