Unruly Son

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From master mystery writer Robert Barnard, this early novel, first published in 1979, was nominated for an Edgar Award for "Best Novel." Scribner reissues this beloved work from a respected name in crime writing. Sir Oliver Fairleigh-Stubbs, an overweight and overbearing figure, collapses and dies at his birthday party while indulging in rare liquors. Despite promising to be polite and charitable for the day, the strain proves too much. His death leaves a family relieved to be free of him, along with a fortune amassed as a bestselling mystery author. To everyone’s surprise, his elder son, who openly despised him, inherits most of the estate, while his wife, daughter, and younger son receive royalties from a single chosen book. However, the manuscript of an unpublished volume, a potential goldmine left to Sir Oliver's wife, has vanished. As suspicions about the nature of Sir Oliver's death grow, Inspector Meredith, a spirited Welshman resembling the author's fictional hero, enters this bitter household. Barnard's skillful storytelling transforms the investigation into a classic detection tale infused with elegance and humor, making it a captivating read.