Murder in Married Life — Anne Morice

'Stabbed?' she repeated, in horror. 'Was he really?'

'I'm afraid so. From behind. He was sitting at his desk.'

The soignée actress Tessa Crichton would rather be shopping and generally luxuriating in the pleasure of being newly married. However, she is soon embroiled in a plot involving an old acquaintance (murdered) and a friend (blackmailed). Being as shrewd as she is mischievous she begins to draw various conclusions, not all of them correct.

Many of the encounters in the story take place during Tessa's visits to a London department store, the top floor being a bar open to any customer who spends over twenty-five pounds. Here lies part of the secret which is bedevilling Robin, Tessa's husband, at Scotland Yard - who hates blackmailers more than any other criminals. But will Tessa get a bit too knowing, and will her own life then be at stake?

Murder in Married Life was originally published in 1971. This new edition features an introduction and afterword by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.

'Miss Morice has an acute ear for dialogue and a pretty, slightly acid, wit. Every page is amusing - and there are not many books of which that could be said.' Tablet

'Relaxing, polished entertainment of high order.' Daily Telegraph