A young woman, leading a drab life in a small English village with her domineering mother, turns to Miss Silver for help. As always--well drawn characters (a cruel violent man, delightful gossips, a flashy woman,young lovers, ), a complex plot, humor, and the well-dressed Frank Abbott.

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Althea Graham might have had a life of her own, had it not been for her mother. But when her father died she inherited her bitter, temperamental parent along with the house, and she has borne that burden ever since. She nearly escaped once, but her engagement to Nicholas Carey caused her mother to fall into illness, convincing Althea to keep living with her until the sickness claimed her life. That was five years ago, and Mrs. Graham is as fit as ever. Althea’s gloom lifts when Nicholas returns, and it appears that love may bloom again. Mother clings as tightly as ever, of course, but Althea has hope once more. Then murder comes to their household, and the young woman’s last chance at happiness is dashed forever—unless Maud Silver, the gentlewoman detective, can save the day.

Alternate title: The Summerhouse