A Death for a Darling

A Robert Forsythe Mystery #2

by E.X. Giroux

Barrister Robert Forsythe and his secretary, Miss Sanderson, are finally slated their first vacations in years. But soon Miss Sanderson is summoning Forsythe to her friend Honoria Farguson's home.

A modern remake of Wuthering Heights is being shot on the estate with Forsythe's favorite actress, Erika Von Farr, cast as Catherine and her detestable boyfriend Mickey Darling cast as Heathcliff. When there is a gruesome attempt made on Mr. Darling's life, Forsythe must set aside his growing dislike for the actor and find a killer.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy

182 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

A pseudonym used by Doris Shannon.

Reviews

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Death for a Darling (1985) by E. X. Giroux finds young barrister Robert Forsythe and his loyal secretary Miss Sanderson finally taking a long-overdue vacation. Miss Sanderson is off to pay a duty call to a childhood friend before spending a bit of time on her own and Forsythe plans to spend four wonderful weeks fishing for trout in Scotland. But before he can finish packing, he is summoned by Miss Sanderson to join her at the home of Honoria Farquson for splendid surprise. She won't give him any hints as to the nature of the surprise, but she promises that he will "never regret this weekend." Sandy has an uncanny way of being right, but this particular weekend will be the exception to prove the rule.

It starts out pleasant enough. The surprise waiting for Forsythe in Norfolk is his favorite movie star Erika Von Farr who is playing in a remake of Wuthering Heights using the Farquson house in the film. The story has been updated to include a leather-clad Heathcliff on a motorcycle played by Von Farr's lover, Mickey Darling, who is anything but. His fans adore him, but everyone connected with the film (except Von Farr) detests the arrogant actor. But does anyone hate him enough to try and kill him? When someone is poisoned and it looks like the poison was meant for Mickey. Forsythe is compelled to try and get to the bottom of things. But when he comes up with the answer is it really the right one? Who was really the intended victim...and will the right person be arrested for the crime?

Perhaps it is because Forsythe is a little bit star-struck in this one and it seems to cloud his judgment, but I didn't enjoy this one quite as much Death for a Dancer. The interactions between Forsythe and his secretary--one of the highlights of Dancer--were not nearly as entertaining, and Forsythe doesn't shine quite as brightly as an amateur sleuth. Mickey Darling is a pretty loathsome character and few of the others are well-drawn enough to appreciate their contributions to the story. Honoria Farquson is the exception and the story was most interesting when she was on stage, as it were. The mystery plot itself is well done with a clever motive. It's a shame that the detective work wasn't as well done. A near ★★★ effort--near enough that I'll go ahead and award three.

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.

[Lisa Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although written in the ‘80s and set in the late ‘60s or ‘70s, Death of a Darling has all the bells and whistles of Golden Age mystery - amateur detective, redoubtable sidekick (in this case his older, efficient, and sharp, female secretary), country house, snappy dialogue, and swarms of suspects. The plot moves along nicely, all the clues are there with loads a red herrings. I’m going with 4 because there were times my credulity was strained, and not really over anything awfully significant

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nicely done classic English manor house mystery. Since it was published in 1985 it was under 200 pages but none of the characterizations suffered and the plot moved at a brisk pace.

[Maurean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atty. Robert Forsyth and his secretary, Miss Sanderson, depart for their first vacation in years when Miss Sanderson urgently requests that Mr.Forsyth meet her at her friend Honoria Farguson's home for a "suprise" - to meet Erika Von Farr, his favorite actress. But, when Erika's co-star (and lover), Mickey Darling, is the intended victim of a murder, they must find the killer; one from multiple suspects with multiple motives.

This was a very enjoyable and well-written mystery; both these Giroux books were library picks, and I'm still not sure WHY I've never gone back to revisit this series. All the characters are likable, the mysteries are well-plotted....I'll definately have to revisit this series in the near future.

[Diane Wilcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a couple of these several years ago and found them really great summertime reading. They are set in the eighties but feel like they could be set in the time of Agatha Christie, Rennie Airth, Jacqueline Winspear and other such British mystery novelists.