Still Dead - Ronald Knox A

Still Dead concerns the death of Colin Reiver, the thoroughly undesirable heir to the Dorn estate in Scotland. Colin's dead body was glimpsed by one of the estate's employees, but had disappeared by the time he had left for help and returned to the spot with others.

Two days later, however, the body reappears at the same spot (still dead, hence the title). Colin is pronounced to have died from exposure, but is that really true and, either way, why were morbid shenanigans played with the corpse?

If Colin was murdered, there is no shortage of suspects. There is another employee, a gardener, whose child was run down by a drunken Colin. There are several family members, including Colin's own father, Donald, as well as Colin's sister, brother-in-law and cousin. There's a family physician and also a leader of an odd religious sect to which Donald Reiver (Colin's father) adheres.

The police write off the case, but insurance investigator Miles Bredon is called in, because the question of when Colin actually died bears directly on a crucial insurance settlement.

Praise for Ronald Knox

"He introduces us to a most beautiful and original situation. All the qualities that delight us in his work are present here. The clues are marshaled with great care. An exquisite English style, many entertaining characters, and a wealth of witty comment on life and manners lend the true Knoxian savour to the feast of reason."

-DOROTHY L. SAYERS in Sunday Times.

"Here, again, he displays unusual ability in the construction of a mystery story replete with matter to puzzle and engross the reader. Here, also, as might be expected, is a thriller that is really well written, with a definitely convincing characterisation and a liberal flavoring of humour."

-Scotsman.