A diamond is stolen in India. It has religious significance. It comes with a curse.
Later, back in England. A dying villainous old man leaves a diamond to his niece to spite an unloving sister.
Then, in a house containing; this lovely but iron-willed niece, her two suitors, a forlorn woman with a criminal past, her aunt, numerous servants and a doctor ...the diamond is stolen.
Outside, three mysterious Indians lurk, silently.
Then, the story unwinds, twisting and writhing like a venomous snake while the silent, shadowy Indians continue to loiter about.
Who did it and why? Can't tell ...it's a mystery.
A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.
Heroes rise and fall, honor and deceit co-mingle and the plot twists and turns. Two mothers, two sons, one father, one murder, combine into one good mystery.
Above average but typical British mystery yarn with many suspects and a plot with many twists and turns.
If you like Christie and Sayers you should like Wallace as well.
If you are looking for some serious sleuthing or a cerebral mystery, this probably is not for you. If however, on the other hand, you like things nostalgic and carefree, and a bit of fun, then by all means ....read on.
Jolly good fun, this one