The Case of the Dotty Dowager - (Wise Enquiries Agency Mystery) by Cathy Ace (Paperback)

About the Book

Henry Twyst, eighteenth Duke of Chellingworth, is convinced his mother is losing her marbles. She claims to have seen a corpse on the dining-room floor, but all she has to prove it is a bloodied bobble hat. Henry is worried enough to retain the women of the WISE Enquiries Agency - but the truth is more deadly than anyone could have foreseen . . .

Book Synopsis

"A gratifying contemporary series in the traditional British manner with hilarious repercussions. Cozy fans will anticipate learning more about these WISE ladies" - Library Journal Starred Review

Meet the Women of the WISE Enquiries Agency. The first in a new series.

Henry Twyst, eighteenth Duke of Chellingworth, is convinced his mother is losing her marbles. She claims to have seen a corpse on the dining-room floor, but all she has to prove it is a bloodied bobble hat.

Worried enough to retain the women of the WISE Enquiries Agency - one is Welsh, one Irish, one Scottish and one English - Henry wants the strange matter explained away. But the truth of what happened at the Chellingworth Estate, set in the rolling Welsh countryside near the quaint village of Anwen by Wye, is more complex, dangerous, and deadly, than anyone could have foreseen . . .

Review Quotes

"A charming, cleverly plotted, engaging British cozy"-- "Booklist"

"Ace introduces a pleasantly quirky set of detectives who have their own diverse methods of crime-solving"-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"Cathy Ace's new series combines the best traditions of the Golden Age of mysteries with the completely modern and appealing ladies of the WISE Enquiries Agency, with some cutting-edge science thrown it. It's a delightful mix!"-- "Sheila Connolly, Agatha- and Anthony Award-nominated and New York Times Bestselling Author"

"Charming, quirky and completely entertaining! This clever contemporary take on the traditional mystery will have you smiling on every page. The talented Cathy Ace has created an endearing quartet of heroines--hurray for WISE, and I cannot wait for the next adventure!"-- "Hank Phillippi Ryan, Agatha, Anthony and Mary Higgins Clark award winning author of TRUTH BE TOLD"

"Start with an irresistible premise, confound expectations with four top-notch characters, and we're off! THE CASE OF THE DOTTY DOWAGER is a fun-packed romp through three of the four UK nations, where everything from outlandish antiques to this-minute technology adds up to a devious, delicious, disarming debut. Can't wait to meet the WISE women again in book two."-- "Catriona McPherson, Anthony, Agatha and Alexander winning author of the Edgar-nominated THE DAY SHE DIED"

"The women of the WISE (Welsh-Irish-Scots-English) Enquiries Agency are a lovely diverse bunch who sort out a variety of personal problems while investigating a corpse seen by an 80 year old (but not yet dotty) dowager with only a bloody (literal, not expletive) bobble cap for evidence. I was drawn by the deceptively light, deft tone which which gives a poignancy to exchanges such as: 'I have never used that word [senile], Mother.' 'You don't have to say it, Henry. I can hear you think it!' And I loved the posh Welsh setting and the enchanting McFli!"-- "Ovidia Yu, Author of 'Aunty Lee's Deadly Specials'"

"THE CASE OF THE DOTTY DOWAGER has everything you could want in a murder story: a body in the dining room, a duke's ancestral home, and four brilliant ladies working together to solve the case. Think MISSION IMPOSSIBLE meets Lord Peter Wimsey, except the sleuths are Welsh, Irish, Scottish, and English ladies of varying ages and descriptions. THE CASE OF THE DOTTY DOWAGER is a traditional mystery that manages to be classic and thoroughly modern at the same time. Enjoy this one over a nice cuppa, but don't spill it when things get exciting."-- "James W. Ziskin, Anthony nominated Author of the Ellie Stone Mysteries: STYX & STONE, NO STONE UNTURNED, and STONE COLD DEAD"

"A gratifying contemporary series in the traditional British manner with hilarious repercussions. Cozy fans will anticipate learning more about these WISE ladies"-- "Library Journal Starred Review"

About the Author

Cathy Ace was born and raised in Wales, but now lives in Canada with her husband and two chocolate Labradors. She is a proud member of Crime Writers of Canada (CWC) and Sisters in Crime (SinC). She is also the author of the Cait Morgan Mysteries.