Jemima Shore at the Sunny Grave and Other Stories — Antonia Fraser

Rescued from freezing London by an assignment in the West Indies, Jemima Shore looks forward to sunshine and rum punch, and maybe a little moonlight and romance. Instead she finds herself embroiled in the heated politics of an all-too-extended family in the title story. An impromptu recitation of the ballad "The Tragedy of Sir Patrick Spens" sparks another tragedy in the hallowed halls of academe in "The Blude-Red Wine."

Antonia Fraser proves herself equally at home exploring the dark hearts and lethal secrets on the other side of the law. In "Out for the Countess," a jealous wife thrills to the beauty of an operatic tale of betrayal and suffering, while engineering an equally dramatic revenge for the lovers who wronged her. Literate, sophisticated, deliciously witty, these nine stories are a welcome addition to the sleuthing exploits of Jemima Shore and an introduction to other, shadier characters Antonia Fraser creates with great zest.