Read Murder by the Book for Free Online

suggested.
    “Good idea, dear,” said Agatha. “You heard her. Let’s mingle, people.”
    “I’m sticking to our ringer,” Gordon insisted.
    Oh goody, an evening with Gordon.
    My table dispersed into the crowd. I strolled over to a young gentleman in knickers and a knit sweater vest with Gordon in tow.
    “Do you happen to have a copy of the Times?” I asked him, seeing that several photocopied sheets of paper were draped over his arm with the paper’s name splashed across the top.
    “Certainly, miss,” the young man said, handing me the two-sided sheet of paper.
    “What do we want the paper for?” Gordon moaned. “We should be over with the others interviewing Lady Winters.”
    I ignored him to examine the news. The paper was full of red herrings; however, here and there were tidbits worth noting. A room at the Carlton Hotel was robbed only two nights ago. The burglar got away with several thousand dollars in jewelry. That and the fact that the circus was in town. I handed the paper to Gordon who frowned back at me.
    “Forget this. I’m going over to that fancy lady to get some real clues,” Gordon said before turning and walking away.
    I strolled over to a short man dressed in the red coat, white pants, and black boots of a circus ringmaster.
    “How do you do? My name is Chloe Boston,” I said, extending my hand.
    “No it’s not.”
    “I beg your pardon.”
    “I saw the table you came from. You’re Detective Sherlock Holmes.”
    “So I am. My apology.”
    “No harm done,” he replied, finally accepting my hand and bowing.
    “I wonder if you might be able to tell us anything about the circus that just came to town.”
    “Indeed I can. I am the ringleader of that circus, Henry Percival. We just pulled into town the other night and already we have a dilemma.”
    “Really? What is it?” And after some thought I added, “Maybe I can be of some help.”
    “It seems a group of apes has disappeared along with their trainer.”
    “You don’t say.” I almost giggled at the preposterous plot element.
    “Yes. Now they’re said to be roving town causing mischief.”
    I would have asked more questions, but at that moment there was a loud cry from Lady Winters across the room.
    “My jewels, they are gone!” she declared loudly. “This gentleman has just pointed the fact out to me.”
    Standing before a horrified Lady Winters was none other than Colin Collins. He was smiling broadly and holding the lady’s hand in support. Jeeves could be seen behind them. I’d noticed the jewelry was gone from around her neck and wrists the moment she stepped back into the room. Mr. Collins had apparently noticed as well and subsequently pointed it out to the Lady Winters. Looking around the room I found that Archie and Hingis had conveniently disappeared from the scene.
    While the others flocked to interview Lady Winters, I moved on to a closer character standing alone in the corner. It was the woman in red.
    “How do you do? I’m Detective Sherlock Holmes.”
    “Detective Holmes, I’m so pleased to meet you. I’m Marian Westwood. I dance at the local club and am currently dating Archie Winters.”
    No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop feeling that I knew her from somewhere. Perhaps it was the makeup that was hiding the person I would instantly recognize as a good friend. Then it struck me.
    It was Supervisor Janet Daniels, the lioness of our city council. Ms. Daniels was well known for taking aggressive action to solve the city’s problems. She was known for being staunch in support of the people’s rights and sticking to her guns once she’d made an important decision. I respected her and now here I was interviewing her for the first time as a dancehall girl. At first I didn’t know what to say.
    “Have you placed me yet?” she asked, out of character.
    “You’re Supervisor Daniels.”
    “And I’ve always wanted to meet you, Chloe Boston,” she said, extending her hand.
    I shook the