Closed Casket (New Hercule Poirot Mysteries #2)

by Sophie Hannah

I was no aspiring murderer, but if I had been, I should certainly have had a go at Harry before Claudia. She was much more likely to be on her guard, whereas I imagined one might stroll up to Harry and say, “Any objection to getting murdered, old boy?” and be met with an appreciative guffaw.

“Come to the point,” ordered Inspector Conree. “I shall. The bloodstain—look at it. Does anything strike you?” “Well, you may accuse me of fearing the worst, if you wish,” said O’Dwyer, “but I can see it never coming out of that carpet. Lady Playford will need a new one.” “Quiet, O’Dwyer,” Conree growled at him. “Oh, yes,” the sergeant agreed, as if keeping quiet were next on his list of activities, and always had been.

Claudia said, “I will dance naked in front of Buckingham Palace if you didn’t cook tonight’s lunch and dinner between five and eight this morning, Brigid. Go on—admit it.” “Oh! Be a good sort and convince her that you didn’t, Brigid.” Kimpton winked at the cook, who responded with a huff of disapproval. “Meanwhile, I must work on getting myself hired as His Majesty’s head gardener.”

“Don’t be absurd, Randall,” Claudia told him. “In love with? Darling, I would not quicken my pace to prevent a dangerously heavy object from falling on anybody in this world apart from you. You know that.”

no man is ever so determined as the most determined woman.