Dead March for Penelope Blow — George Bellairs

“Slow and steady wins the case” as a dedicated London policeman puzzles through a fatal fall, a financial mystery, and an eccentric family's many secrets (Kirkus Reviews).
 
Miss Penelope Blow's fatal fall from her bedroom window would seem like a tragic accident, if it weren't for Penelope's multiple visits to Scotland Yard before her death, trying to get in touch with Inspector Littlejohn. Now, before he ever had a chance to talk to the woman, he's driven to look deeper into a case that may very well be murder -- with no cooperation from Penelope's wealthy, secretive, and thoroughly odd family . . .
 
“As is often the case in Bellairs' novels, his prose is often very wryly amusing. . . . One of his most readable tales, offering an interesting mix of characters and a satisfying puzzle to solve.” -- Mysteries Ahoy