Murder at the Savoy: a 1920s cozy historical mystery
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- Create Date：2022-03-30 21:21:55
- Update Date：2025-09-07
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- Author：Lee Strauss
- ISBN：B09F56PR9H
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Summary
Murder's frightfully unlucky！
Mrs。 Ginger Reed， known also as Lady Gold， settles into homelife with her husband Chief Inspector Basil Reed， son Scout and newborn daughter Rosa， but when an opportunity to join a dinner party at the renowned Savoy Hotel is offered， she's eager to engage in a carefree night with friends。 Some of the guests are troubled when their party's number lands at unlucky thirteen， as death is sure to come to the first person who leaves the table。
Thankfully， the Savoy has an answer to this superstitious dilemma。 A small statue of a black cat fondly known as Kaspar is given the empty seat， rounding the number to fourteen。
Unfortunately， in this instance Kaspar didn't fulfill his duties and a murder is committed。 The case is tricky and complicated by a recent escape of a prisoner who has a bone to pick with Basil。 Are the two seemingly unrelated incidents connected？
Ginger and Basil work together to solve one while avoiding the other， and what can they do about the black cat who crossed their path？
Mrs。 Ginger Reed， known also as Lady Gold， settles into homelife with her husband Chief Inspector Basil Reed， son Scout and newborn daughter Rosa， but when an opportunity to join a dinner party at the renowned Savoy Hotel is offered， she's eager to engage in a carefree night with friends。 Some of the guests are troubled when their party's number lands at unlucky thirteen， as death is sure to come to the first person who leaves the table。
Thankfully， the Savoy has an answer to this superstitious dilemma。 A small statue of a black cat fondly known as Kaspar is given the empty seat， rounding the number to fourteen。
Unfortunately， in this instance Kaspar didn't fulfill his duties and a murder is committed。 The case is tricky and complicated by a recent escape of a prisoner who has a bone to pick with Basil。 Are the two seemingly unrelated incidents connected？
Ginger and Basil work together to solve one while avoiding the other， and what can they do about the black cat who crossed their path？
Reviews
Iabarnowlrlb-too。us
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Good SeriesI have read all of the seventeen books in this series。 I love books written in the 1920。 I would recommend this series to any one。
Janice Drake
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I love the Ginger Gold mysteries。 I did find this one a bit slow as we had to be caught up on the past history of Basil and the murder victim。 The back and forth of the two different stories slowed the pace of the book。 I still enjoyed the story and the characters are like family。 I love reading about them。 The mystery was good， but I figured out the murderer early。 Still a very good read。I received this book for free and wished to leave a review。
Doreen
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Good！Another entertaining adventure with Ginger and Basil。 This murder has its roots in a prior case of murder and theft 11 years ago， when Basil was promoted to Detective Inspector。 Baby Rosa is 5 months old and charming everyone！
Bonnie Blackledge
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This book begins with Ginger enjoying life with her newborn daughter， Rosa， but all too soon she finds herself involved in a murder mystery。 An enjoyable dinner at the Savoy turns into a tragic event。 In addition to helping her husband， Basil， solve the murder， Ginger also finds herself entertaining her half-sister， Louisa， and her mother， Sally， who are visiting from the United States。 They have also brought along Louisa’s fiancé who proves to be a challenging guest。 On top of all this， their s This book begins with Ginger enjoying life with her newborn daughter， Rosa， but all too soon she finds herself involved in a murder mystery。 An enjoyable dinner at the Savoy turns into a tragic event。 In addition to helping her husband， Basil， solve the murder， Ginger also finds herself entertaining her half-sister， Louisa， and her mother， Sally， who are visiting from the United States。 They have also brought along Louisa’s fiancé who proves to be a challenging guest。 On top of all this， their son Scout is unhappy at his boarding school so Ginger attempts to help him adjust。 I found the characters in this story very well developed and interesting to get to know。 There were hints that we will run into them again in future books， so I am eager for the next one to be written。 I believe this is one of the best of this series。 Of course， I seem to often think this way when I finish one of Strauss’s books。 。。。more
Merry Chapman
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Another page turning Ginger Gold and Basil mystery you just can't put down。 This is one of the hardest murder mysteries the pair has come across。 Add to that and we have Ginger's American family visiting along with Louisa's fiancé who is obnoxious and full of himself among other things。 This time， the author deftly combines Basil's appropriate back story with the present case。 It begins with Ginger and Basil while doting on there baby， Rosie， they have to entertain Ginger's American Family。 So w Another page turning Ginger Gold and Basil mystery you just can't put down。 This is one of the hardest murder mysteries the pair has come across。 Add to that and we have Ginger's American family visiting along with Louisa's fiancé who is obnoxious and full of himself among other things。 This time， the author deftly combines Basil's appropriate back story with the present case。 It begins with Ginger and Basil while doting on there baby， Rosie， they have to entertain Ginger's American Family。 So when they all get invited to a private dinner at the famous Savoy by Percy Aspen who happened to be a witness many years ago in Basil's first case and once the case was over， he left the country。 Now he is back and invited Basil and family along with others who were involved somewhat with that original case。 Just as he was going to make a major announcement， the lights flick off and when they come on we find Percy dead。 And to it begins。 With lots of complications， strange suspects and a very twisted roller coaster ride， we are taken to a conclusion that will be a big surprise！ This is a must read series that keeps you turning pages until the end where you are totally surprised！ I can't wait to see what's next for Ginger and Basil！ I received and ARC of this book but the opinion expressed here is strictly my own。 。。。more
Helen Drake
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The latest installment in the Ginger Gold series is getting more suspenseful。 Often these books deal with a social cause。 In this one， Basil， Ginger and their family and others are gathered in the private dining room of the Savoy for a reason they don’t know。 Their host is murdered after the lights flicker out before he can relate the reason for the gathering。 In trying to solve this murder， Basil must remember his first big case and it’s repercussions。 There are plenty of possible suspects in t The latest installment in the Ginger Gold series is getting more suspenseful。 Often these books deal with a social cause。 In this one， Basil， Ginger and their family and others are gathered in the private dining room of the Savoy for a reason they don’t know。 Their host is murdered after the lights flicker out before he can relate the reason for the gathering。 In trying to solve this murder， Basil must remember his first big case and it’s repercussions。 There are plenty of possible suspects in this murder， mostly people who were also involved in that first case。 With all the plot twists， although the murderer is exposed， it leads to more questions and danger for the next book。In telling this tale， it jumps between the past and Basil’s first big case and their current murder mystery， which works very effectively。To make the story even more compelling， Ginger’s stepmother and stepsister come for a visit bringing her stepsister’s fiancé。 He is a perfect example of the ugly American， even in the 1920’s。 Some of the most touching moments occur when Ginger is with her baby daughter， Rosa。 The love both Ginger and Basil have for their daughter makes my heart happy。Their adopted son Scout is away at boarding school so does not play as big a role as he has in previous books。 Based on comments made between Ginger and Basil， he is not adjusting well， and it appears he will have a much bigger role in the next book。I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this book and am really looking to reading the next installment in this series。 。。。more
Darlene Szilard
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Ginger and Basil are at it again！ This time a guest at a dinner party they are attending at the posh Savoy is murdered basically right in front of them。 The storyline is different from the rest of the series as we learn about Basil's first case and his life before Ginger。 The interweaving of the two cases made for an interesting， page turner with plenty of red herrings and suspects。 As always the attention to time period detail is spot on and I enjoyed reading about the Savoy's Kasper the cat。 I Ginger and Basil are at it again！ This time a guest at a dinner party they are attending at the posh Savoy is murdered basically right in front of them。 The storyline is different from the rest of the series as we learn about Basil's first case and his life before Ginger。 The interweaving of the two cases made for an interesting， page turner with plenty of red herrings and suspects。 As always the attention to time period detail is spot on and I enjoyed reading about the Savoy's Kasper the cat。 I grew a little tired of reading about Ginger and Basil's "looks" in this story-I know it's petty but it didn't contribute to the story。 I received this book as an ARC for my honest review and am highly anticipating the next。 。。。more
Judi
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The Savoy an exclusive hotel well known around the world。 Just the name alone makes you think of high teas and high class exquisite food for the upper class。Lee Strauss has added another excellent Ginger Gold mystery to the list。A dinner party for 13 or should it be 14？Don't miss your in take of mystery， murder and mayhem。 The Savoy an exclusive hotel well known around the world。 Just the name alone makes you think of high teas and high class exquisite food for the upper class。Lee Strauss has added another excellent Ginger Gold mystery to the list。A dinner party for 13 or should it be 14？Don't miss your in take of mystery， murder and mayhem。 。。。more
Jennifer Eccles
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I eagerly read all the Ginger Gold series as soon as they’re released， and Murder at the Savoy is a real treat。 I loved every page。 Ginger’s American relatives have just descended on her when they are all invited to the Savoy - the famous hotel with all mod cons and one curious custom。 A night of luxury turns to murder， and Basil and Ginger are on hand to investigate。 The mystery plot is excellent， interlinking past and present， and for once I was totally duped by red herrings and didn’t guess t I eagerly read all the Ginger Gold series as soon as they’re released， and Murder at the Savoy is a real treat。 I loved every page。 Ginger’s American relatives have just descended on her when they are all invited to the Savoy - the famous hotel with all mod cons and one curious custom。 A night of luxury turns to murder， and Basil and Ginger are on hand to investigate。 The mystery plot is excellent， interlinking past and present， and for once I was totally duped by red herrings and didn’t guess the murderer！ I enjoyed the focus on Basil， this was an insight into his earlier life that was a treat for those of us who have been with the series from the start。 As always I adore all the period detail， and the way Lee Strauss always researches into intriguing historical details to entertain us with。 This time I was captivated by the story of Kaspar the cat at the Savoy - sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction！ I love that Lee Strauss always interweaves truth into the fiction of her historical stories。 Stepping into a Ginger Gold book is the greatest of pleasures， revisiting characters like old friends who live and breathe。 The dialogue sparkles along， as do the descriptions。 I’m in my happy place in this series， and Murder at the Savoy is up there with my favourites。 I received an ARC for my honest review; but Lee Strauss’s books are ones I also buy just for the pleasure of having on my shelf and rereading。 I recommend them to everyone who likes a well written， relaxing， cosy historical mystery。 。。。more
JoAn
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Another exciting mystery by Ms。 Strauss in the Ginger Gold historical cozy mystery series。 Poor Ginger and Basil have been invaded by Ginger's American family and a new addition is Louisa's fiancee'。 At a dinner party at the Savoy， an old acquaintance of Basil's dies and the hunt begins。 This was an intricate and well-crafted story with enough suspicious characters， who attended the dinner party， to keep Basil and Ginger sleuthing for clues。 The story is quickly paced and had enough twists throu Another exciting mystery by Ms。 Strauss in the Ginger Gold historical cozy mystery series。 Poor Ginger and Basil have been invaded by Ginger's American family and a new addition is Louisa's fiancee'。 At a dinner party at the Savoy， an old acquaintance of Basil's dies and the hunt begins。 This was an intricate and well-crafted story with enough suspicious characters， who attended the dinner party， to keep Basil and Ginger sleuthing for clues。 The story is quickly paced and had enough twists throughout to keep me turning the pages。 The dramatic conclusion had me gripping my ereader and that "note" at the end has me anxiously waiting for the next book in this series。 The author provided me with a copy of this book to review。 This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way。 All opinions expressed are my own。 。。。more
Peg
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The Savoy Hotel was one of the most exclusive hotels in London。 The restaurant included in it is noted for excellent food and for Kasper， a ceramic cat， which will sit in seat 14 should there be only 13 at dinner。Basil Reed had been a new inspector when he met their host， Percy Aspen， a few years ago。 Percy had invited Basil and his family to dinner at the Savoy。 Mr。Aspen had not expected 5 extra people that were included in the RSVP。 There were Lord and Lady （Felicia） Davenport-Wit， Sally， Ging The Savoy Hotel was one of the most exclusive hotels in London。 The restaurant included in it is noted for excellent food and for Kasper， a ceramic cat， which will sit in seat 14 should there be only 13 at dinner。Basil Reed had been a new inspector when he met their host， Percy Aspen， a few years ago。 Percy had invited Basil and his family to dinner at the Savoy。 Mr。Aspen had not expected 5 extra people that were included in the RSVP。 There were Lord and Lady （Felicia） Davenport-Wit， Sally， Ginger’s step-mother， Louisa， her half-sister， and Cornelius， Louisa’s fiance。 Of course Ambrosia was automatically included。Before being seated there was small talk among people who did not know each other。 Cornelius was being obnoxious， lights were flickering and Percy was making a strange announcement。 Finally people were seated for a scrumptious dinner。 But then the lights went out。When the lights came back on the cat was missing， and Percy was in distress and then he was dead。So who did it and how？Basil and Ginger set to work immediately to solve this puzzling mystery。 。。。more
Shirley McAllister
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The Thirteenth GuestGinger and Basil are enjoying their new daughter Rosa when an invitation arrives for a dinner party at the Savoy hotel。 It is the most famous hotel and they can't pass up the opportunity to have dinner with an old acquaintance of Basil's。Ginger has been quite worried about her niece's new fiancée who she has brought with her for a visit and this night will give her a little chance to relax and enjoy herself with Basil at a nice dinner， except the niece， the fiancée and her au The Thirteenth GuestGinger and Basil are enjoying their new daughter Rosa when an invitation arrives for a dinner party at the Savoy hotel。 It is the most famous hotel and they can't pass up the opportunity to have dinner with an old acquaintance of Basil's。Ginger has been quite worried about her niece's new fiancée who she has brought with her for a visit and this night will give her a little chance to relax and enjoy herself with Basil at a nice dinner， except the niece， the fiancée and her aunt are also invited。 An unexpected guest at the dinner party making the group at number 13 which is an unlucky omen， a statue of a cat the hotel has named Kasper， flickering lights and an untimely murder of the host make for another assignment for Basil and Ginger。The description of the hotel sounds fantastic。 Nothing like the buildings we have now， I would have loved to see some of those famous buildings with all the beautiful interiors。 Ginger's gown sounds like a beautiful creation as are all of her clothes。 Another great armchair read for a windy cold afternoon curled up with my cat。 I would recommend this book。 Thanks to Lee Strauss for writing anther great story and letting me read an early copy。 。。。more
Susan Stokell
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Another Ginger Gold mystery。 A dinner party at the Savoy hotel ends with a murder。 Fortunately Ginger and Basil are on hand as dinner guests。This case relates back to Basil's first case as a police officer。 We learn more about Basils earlier life through flashbacks。Throw in Gingers American family with Louise's questionable fiance。Basil and Ginger solve the case in the nick of time This is quickly paced and a fast read。 Thoroughly enjoyable Another Ginger Gold mystery。 A dinner party at the Savoy hotel ends with a murder。 Fortunately Ginger and Basil are on hand as dinner guests。This case relates back to Basil's first case as a police officer。 We learn more about Basils earlier life through flashbacks。Throw in Gingers American family with Louise's questionable fiance。Basil and Ginger solve the case in the nick of time This is quickly paced and a fast read。 Thoroughly enjoyable 。。。more
Jennifer Fields
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Mystery and intrigue at London’s premier hotel， the Savoy！ Ginger and her extended family are back at it again。 This Ginger Gold book combines all the excitement of prior books with a look at superstition， history and more strong female characters！ That is what I love about all Lee Strauss’ books- her ability to incorporate strong female characters。 This during a time that it would have been historically been unusual。 Ginger demonstrates to us all that to be successful and yourself is completely Mystery and intrigue at London’s premier hotel， the Savoy！ Ginger and her extended family are back at it again。 This Ginger Gold book combines all the excitement of prior books with a look at superstition， history and more strong female characters！ That is what I love about all Lee Strauss’ books- her ability to incorporate strong female characters。 This during a time that it would have been historically been unusual。 Ginger demonstrates to us all that to be successful and yourself is completely up to you。 。。。more
Lee Strauss
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CHAPTER ONEKensington Addison Road train station was a beehive of excited， anxious， and weary travellers: hurrying or waiting， hugging loved ones， or sauntering off alone。 Some collapsed damp umbrellas as others waited in the queue to make a purchase at the tea and sandwich stall。 Steam trains chugged and whistled， spewing black smoke， as they either slowed to a stop or wound up to speed away。Mrs。 Ginger Reed， known by some as Lady Gold， stood at the barrier at the end of the platform with her h CHAPTER ONEKensington Addison Road train station was a beehive of excited， anxious， and weary travellers: hurrying or waiting， hugging loved ones， or sauntering off alone。 Some collapsed damp umbrellas as others waited in the queue to make a purchase at the tea and sandwich stall。 Steam trains chugged and whistled， spewing black smoke， as they either slowed to a stop or wound up to speed away。Mrs。 Ginger Reed， known by some as Lady Gold， stood at the barrier at the end of the platform with her husband， Basil， a man she adored and whose good looks—warm hazel eyes， greying temples， and a debonair stance—garnered the admiration of many female pedestrians as they passed by。 Like Ginger， some of the women dressed in the latest spring of 1927 fashions: pleated skirts landing just below the knee， fitted spring jackets with long collars and hems hitting the lower hips， colourful scarves or masculine-like ties adorning the neck， and the quintessential cloche hat covering short-cropped hair。 Ginger， too， was used to getting similar glances of appreciation from the opposite sex—her red locks often caught the eye—but the baby in her arms kept looks from lingering。Ginger was more than fine with the exchange。 She had her man and her baby。 Smiling down at her dark-haired little girl， she said， “Rosa， love， you’re about to meet your Aunt Louisa and Grandma Sally！”“Do you see them？” Basil asked as a new group of passengers disembarked from the Liverpool train。Ginger craned her neck， looking for the familiar faces， Louisa with dark hair and green eyes， Sally with salt-and-pepper locks。 Ginger’s emotions were a mix of anticipation and apprehension。 She loved her half-sister dearly and harboured a measure of fondness for her stepmother， but rarely was time spent with either of them a relaxing event。 Her American relatives seemed to love drama and brought it wherever they went。Suddenly， there they were。 Ginger handed Rosa to Abby Green， their competent， sturdy-looking nanny who’d been hanging back， and then lifted her arm into the air。 “Louisa！ Sally！”Louisa grabbed her mother’s arm as they hurried over。 A gentleman wearing a brown fedora followed behind， but Ginger assumed he was a fellow passenger headed in the same direction。 “Ginger！” Louisa squealed as she threw an arm around Ginger’s shoulder。 She then fell into Basil’s arms， startling him。 Ginger missed this enthusiastic affection。 The British were much more reserved。 A similar round of hugs， if less affectionate， continued with Sally， which immediately moved to American-accented baby-talk as Nanny Green held Rosa out for inspection。“Oh， Ginger，” Louisa said。 “She’s a doll！”Sally sent Ginger a look of approval。 “Well done。” Ginger laughed。 “I can hardly take full credit but thank you。” The gentleman in the fedora hovered behind， a broad grin on his face， and Ginger raised a brow in question。Louisa took the fellow’s arm， her face breaking into a wide smile。 “Ginger， Basil， this is Cornelius Gastrell， my fiancé！”Ginger， a master at keeping her emotions reined in， allowed herself to express her shock。 “Louisa？”“I know， I know。 I wanted it to be a surprise！”“And it is，” Ginger said。 She offered a hand to Louisa’s gentleman。 “Mr。 Gastrell， it’s a pleasure。”“The pleasure’s mine， ma’am，” he said with a drawl。 “And you must call me Cornelius。” Cornelius moved to shake Basil’s hand。 “Good to meet you， Basil，” he said， probably assuming they were all on a first-name basis。 He whistled。 “Never been to London before。 Can’t wait to see what all the fuss is about。”“Shall we head to the motorcars？” Basil asked。 They’d brought Ginger’s Crossley and Basil’s Austin to accommodate everyone。Cornelius walked ahead with Basil as the ladies followed behind。Louisa gripped Ginger’s arm。 “Isn’t he just the bee’s knees， Ginger？” Her words burst forth like a fountain with the water pressure too high。 “Can you believe I’m to be married？ Finally！ You must come back to Boston for the wedding。”Sally laid a hand on her daughter’s shoulder and added with less enthusiasm。 “A date hasn’t been set yet。 Now， let Ginger catch her breath。”Mr。 Gastrell drove back with Basil whilst Louisa and Sally went with Ginger。 There was much to catch up on during the drive back to Hartigan House， and Ginger shared about life with Rosa， presently held tightly by Nanny Green， and Scout， who was away at boarding school。 Louisa boasted about the social scene in Boston， which Ginger found entertaining but didn’t miss。Mrs。 Beasley， Ginger’s cook， had luncheon prepared for when they got back， and once everyone was settled in their rooms at Hartigan House， they descended on the dining room。 Added to their number around the long wooden table was the Dowager Lady Gold， the grandmother of Ginger’s late husband， Daniel， Lord Gold， and Daniel’s sister， Felicia， and her new husband， Charles Davenport-Witt， the Earl of Witt。Introductions were made and places taken。 Once the maids had served the roast duck and potatoes， conversation resumed。 The electric chandelier overhead created a pleasant ambience， highlighting the paintings hung from a picture rail along the top of the walls。“Nice pad you have here，” Cornelius said。 “Everything around here seems as old as the hills。”Ginger wasn’t certain if she should say thank you or not。 “Hartigan House has been in the family for ages。 It’s my childhood home。 I inherited it from my father when he passed away。”“And I got the crummy brownstone，” Louisa said with a pout。“It’s hardly crummy，” Sally said sternly。 “It’s in a coveted Boston neighbourhood。” She gave everyone at the table a look， then added， “On the Commons。”Louisa had the decency to look sheepish。 “I know， Mama。 I was only teasing。”An awkward silence filled the room， broken， thankfully， by Basil。 “Did anyone catch the Boat Race yesterday？” “We listened to it on the wireless on the BBC，” Felicia said。 Like Louisa， she had dark hair cut in a bob， though hers had been ironed into waves。 “It’s the first time it’s been broadcast that way。”“If I were a betting man，” Charles started， “I would’ve called Oxford， but Cambridge won by three lengths。”“It’s a shame we missed it，” Ginger said。 “Basil’s work called him away， and I was busy with the baby。”Cornelius， becoming less charming by the moment， held a fist to his mouth， barely concealing a small belch。 “What kind of boats are we talking about here？”“Rowing boats，” Basil said。 “The Boat Race is always between Oxford and Cambridge。” For clarity， he added， “Universities。”“Row boats？” Cornelius huffed。 “Not motorboats？ Y’all have a different idea of a worthwhile sporting event。”Basil stiffened。 “I’m not sure what—” “Take that game y’all like over here where they try to combine baseball with bowling or some such thing。”Ambrosia blinked slowly， her round eyes looking more bulbous。 “Do you mean cricket， Mr。 Gastrell？”“That’s it！” Cornelius slapped a thigh。 “Named after a bug！ Now baseball， that’s a man’s game。”“You do realise cricket has been around for hundreds of years longer than baseball，” Basil said。 Cornelius grinned。 “Old doesn’t make it better。” “I’ve heard about the baseball player who recently signed a contract for an absurd amount of money。” Charles said。“Seventy thousand smackers！” Cornelius said as if it were he who’d come into the fortune and not a sports celebrity。“Seventy thousand American dollars？” Felicia asked。 “Is that a lot？“It’s around fifty thousand pounds，” Charles answered。Felicia gaped。 “To play a game？”“Americans have their priorities，” Basil said dryly。“Darn tootin’ they do，” Cornelius replied。 “We work hard and play hard。”Ginger forced a blank expression。 She glanced at her sister， who’d become uncharacteristically quiet。“Have you nothing to offer on the subject？”“No，” Louisa said firmly。 “Sports bore me。” Basil wasn’t so keen to let the man’s comment ride。 “So， Mr。 Gastrell， what do you do for work in America？”“Watch the stock market。” Cornelius stabbed a piece of duck flesh with his fork， waving it about as he continued。 “You will， too， if you’re smart。 Easiest money I’ve ever made。”When the table was cleared of lunch， Lizzie， one of the family maids and Ginger’s favourite， brought the tea tray。 “Thank you， Lizzie，” Ginger said。 The diminutive maid nodded her pointy chin then bobbed before leaving again。 “What about coffee？” Cornelius shouted after her。 He laughed at the table of stunned faces。 “Can’t stand that dishwater you call tea。”Lizzie raced back into the dining room， her wide eyes on Ginger。 “Madam？”“Ask Mrs。 Beasley to brew a pot of coffee for our guest。”“Yes， madam。”Cornelius went on。 “You sure do know how to train your help。” He draped an arm around Louisa。 “Maybe we should ship a couple of maids over to Boston。 It can be my wedding present to you。”Ambrosia sat straight and stiff thanks to an antiquated corset。 She looked regal with her jewelled hands and flowing day frock as she let out a breath of disbelief。 “Dear me， how one talks in America。”“We like to get to the point，” Sally returned。 “When George was alive， God rest his soul， it used to make me crazy how he circled to get to what he was driving at。”“A measure of propriety and self-control benefits society，” Ambrosia offered。 “Americans have self-control，” Louisa said defensively。 “We just say what we mean。”Ambrosia’s lips—deeply lined and uncoloured—twitched。 “How delightful for you。”Ginger loudly cleared her throat， then turned to Felicia desperate to change the subject。 “Have you decided on wallpaper？” To her new guests， she explained， “Felicia and Charles have recently acquired and moved into the house across the street。”Charles had a larger family home in London， but Felicia， new to the role of mistress of her own residence， had found the prospect overwhelming， especially since her new husband’s work often took him away from home。 Ginger was happy to have Felicia nearby on Mallowan Court。 Felicia had lived at Hartigan House before she married， and Ginger had missed her terribly when she’d moved out。 As a bonus， she could help her former sister-in-law decorate！“I’m going to go with the paisley print for the living room and lilies for the drawing room，” Felicia said。 “At least I think so。”“Excellent choices，” Ginger said。 “I shall bring Rosa over later to have a look。” Then， to be polite， she addressed her guests。 “What are the plans for you three？” “We’ll take the rest of the day to relax，” Louisa said， “but tomorrow we have plans for the opera; first we’re going to stroll around the grounds of Buckingham Palace。” She patted Cornelius’ arm。 “Cornie’s hoping to get a glimpse of the King。”“I’m afraid the public aren’t allowed on the grounds，” Ginger said， “but you will be able to watch the Change of the Guard at the front of the palace。”“I’m eager to see this New Scotland Yard，” Cornelius said， his eyebrows lifting。“Oh， yes，” Basil began。 “I’m afraid the Yard is not meant for tourists。 You’re welcome to walk along the Victoria Embankment， however。 The architecture of the building is delightful。”Cornelius guffawed。 “Delightful。 If American men used words like that， we’d be lynched on the street。”Even Ginger couldn’t keep a gasp from escaping her lips。 “Really， Cornelius，” Sally said， her jaw tight。 “Some sentiments are worth keeping to yourself。”Having never bonded with her stepmother， Ginger felt a rare sense of appreciation for the woman who was proving to be more sensible than Ginger had remembered。 Then， as if on cue， Ginger’s faithful butler， Pippins， tall with shoulders folding forward from seventy years of effort， entered， his blue eyes flashing。 He carried a silver tray that held a single envelope。 Approaching Basil， he said， “The afternoon post， sir。” With a barely perceptible glance at the American contingent at the table， he added， “I thought you’d like it now。”“Oh yes，” Basil said， obviously eager for a diversion。 He picked up the envelope and stared at the handwriting of his name on the front。“Do you recognise it？” Ginger asked。 She wondered if Basil would excuse himself and leave them all in suspense， but he removed the folded piece of paper。“Darling？” Ginger said。“It’s from an old acquaintance， a Percy Aspen。 He’s been out of the country for eleven years and has just returned。 He’s asking us to join him for dinner tomorrow night at the Savoy。” His gaze landed on Ginger。 “He says to bring my new family。”To Ginger， this would include Felicia and Charles， and Ambrosia。 However， at present， her family went beyond that， and Louisa burst out joyously。 “The Savoy！ That sounds scrummy。 Cornelius， we must go to the Savoy。”“What’s so great about the Savoy？” Cornelius asked， giving Ginger a moment of hope that he’d veto the idea。“It’s a hotel。 The most luxurious， and a favourite of the rich and famous，” Louisa said。 “Almost as much as the Ritz。”“And a breakthrough in modern engineering，” Charles added。 “Electricity is steam generated with water provided by the hotel’s own artesian wells。 One can turn the room lights on and off at will， and hot water is available whenever needed。”“The hotel also has a grisly past，” Felicia added with a glint in her eye。 “Four years ago， a wealthy young Egyptian prince was murdered by his French wife。”“Sounds like an unhappy union，” Sally said with a half glance at her daughter。 “Indeed，” Ginger said。 “The widow was acquitted when it was revealed that her husband had treated her cruelly and had threatened to kill her。” Ginger hoped the morbid story would divert her sister’s interest。 To Louisa， she said， “What about the opera？ Are you sure you want to miss that？” “We can go to that another day，” Louisa said， squelching Ginger’s hopes。 Louisa turned to Sally。 “Right， Mama？” “I don’t know，” Sally said。 “This Percy fellow won’t be expecting us。” “He said for Basil to bring his new family，” Louisa protested。 She motioned dramatically to herself， Sally， and Cornelius。 “That’s us！”Ginger flashed an apologetic look at Basil and whispered， “Perhaps we should tell him we will meet him another time。”“Aspen is quite clear it has to be tomorrow night。 He’s leaving the next morning on important business。”Ginger did a quick headcount。 “Felicia and Charles？”Charles chuckled。 “Wouldn’t miss it。”Relieved， Ginger went on to Ambrosia。 “Grandmother， you shall join us？”It was a directive disguised as a question。 She needed the elderly lady there to keep Sally company and to help smooth out the conversation。“I suppose I shall，” Ambrosia said with a twist of her lips。 “I fear I owe you a favour or two。”“Fabulous。” Ginger reached for Basil’s hand。 “Do tell Mr。 Aspen we’ll be pleased to join him。 Our number is eight。” 。。。more
Debora Ley
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Basil and Ginger （and family！） are invited to a dinner， where a murder happens。 Basil's current case relates to a previous case decades ago。 While it unfolds， Ginger's family from the US comes to visit。 A wonderful new installment of Ginger and Basil - and Baby Rosa！ With flasbacks to the original case you'll keep turning the pages and won't be able to put it down。 Like past books， it's very exciting and with unexpected twists。 Can't wait to read what happens in the next book！ Basil and Ginger （and family！） are invited to a dinner， where a murder happens。 Basil's current case relates to a previous case decades ago。 While it unfolds， Ginger's family from the US comes to visit。 A wonderful new installment of Ginger and Basil - and Baby Rosa！ With flasbacks to the original case you'll keep turning the pages and won't be able to put it down。 Like past books， it's very exciting and with unexpected twists。 Can't wait to read what happens in the next book！ 。。。more
Kelly Young
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