A Trace of Poison by Colleen Cambridge

A Trace of Poison
by Colleen Cambridge

ISBN-13: 9781496732477
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Kensington
Released: October 25th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In England’s stately manor houses, murder is not generally a topic for polite conversation. Mallowan Hall, home to Agatha Christie and her husband, Max, is the exception. And housekeeper Phyllida Bright delights in murder mysteries (usually of the fictional kind).

The neighboring village of Listleigh has also become a hub of grisly goings-on, thanks to a Murder Fête organized to benefit a local orphanage. Members of The Detection Club—a group of celebrated authors such as G.K. Chesterton, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Agatha herself—will congregate for charitable events, including a writing contest for aspiring authors. The winner gets an international publishing contract, and entrants have gathered for a cocktail party—managed by the inimitable Phyllida—when murder strikes too close even for her comfort.

It’s a mystery too intriguing for Phyllida to resist, but one fraught with duplicity and danger, for every guest is an expert in murder—and how to get away with it.


My Review:
A Trace of Poison is a mystery set in 1930 in England. This is the 2nd book in the series. You do not need to read the previous novel to understand this one, and this book didn't spoil the mystery of the previous book.

Phyllida has many of the characteristics of Poirot, including a love of order and logic. She's also proud and arrogant. She expected people to praise her for her cleverness. She looked down on the abilities of the police and made sure they knew it while informing them of the things she discovered. Frankly, I'd like these stories better if she was a little less self-righteous, arrogant, and rude. On the other hand, I've been complaining that most mysteries these days are mostly filler, but this one is complex and full of clues and investigation.

Phyllida noticed important details and gathered information from the servant's observations, and she was eventually able to puzzle out whodunit. I guessed whodunit shortly before Phyllida's big reveal, but I'd missed a few clues and didn't get the motivation correct. Historical details were woven into the story without slowing the pacing. There was occasional use of bad language (most of it was British bad language). There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.