R in the Month

By: Nancy Spain, Sandi Toksvig - introduction

Narrated by: Eilidh Beaton

* 'Ever since reading R in the Month as a teenager, I've been a Nancy Spain fan. I love her juxtaposition of seedy, atmospheric settings with humour and showbiz glamour. There's still no one quite like her' ELLY GRIFFITHS

The oyster party had the kiss of death upon it - even though there were two 'R's in the month. Miriam Birdseye - famed revue star and sleuth - could have told you that from the start. She isn't a bit surprised to learn that her fiance's mother died in the night.

But who at the seedy Sussex hotel would have poisoned the bivalves? Could it be the hotel proprietor - a handsome, drunken bankrupt? His put-upon wife? Miriam's impressively moustachioed fiancé? Or the menacing, unsavoury chef?

Can Miriam track down the killer before anyone else is murdered by mollusc?

* 'Her detective novels are hilarious - less about detecting than delighting, with absurd farce and a wonderful turn of phrase' SANDI TOKSVIG©1950 Nancy Spain

Critic reviews

An either intense or sombre approach to crime is to Miss Spain foreign: in her world an inspired craziness rules . . . Her wit, her zest, her outrageousness, and the colloquial stylishness of her writing are quite her own (Elizabeth Bowen)

Her detective novels are hilarious. They are high camp and less about detecting than delighting, with absurd farce and a wonderful turn of phrase . . . Nancy Spain was bold, she was brave, she was funny, she was feisty. I owe her a great deal' (Sandi Toksvig)

Ever since reading R in the Month as a teenager, I've been a Nancy Spain fan. I love her juxtaposition of seedy, atmospheric settings with humour and showbiz glamour. There's still no one quite like her (Elly Griffiths)