Sheiks and Adders

by Michael Innes

Book Overview

When half of the guests at a charity masquerade fête at Drool Court turn up dressed as sheiks, it must be more than pure coincidence. One of them is the real thing, however, and Sir John Appleby,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140065202
• ISBN13: 9780140065206
• Release Date: November 1983
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Length: 163 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Snakes and Ladders

The plot of "Sheiks and Adders" (1982) might seem very similar to "Death by Water" (1968). In both novels, Sir John Appleby, retired Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police (New Scotland Yard) is invited to a new neighbor's outdoor fête and murder ensues. However, this time it is a charity masquerade at Drool Court, where an alarming proportion of the male guests are disguised as sheiks. Sir John and his friend, Chief Constable Tommy Pride both arrive dressed as Robin Hood. Colonel Pride has received a mysterious request from the Foreign Office that he and his men should keep an eye on the affair, but he was not informed as to what the local police were supposed to be keeping an eye on. Appleby soon discovers that there is a genuine sheik, Emir Hafrait at the party, and furthermore he has been the target of numerous assassination attempts. Sir John's deduction concerning Colonel Pride's assignment is verified when one of the pseudo-sheiks is found on the archery range with an arrow through his back.A herpetologist laden with grass snakes and adders wanders onto the scene. A bevy of nefarious Druids attempts to purify Drool Court, using the ancient ceremony of Perlustration. A local troop of Boy Scouts reenacts the relief of Mafeking. A hot air balloonist takes too many swigs out of his gin bottle and tumbles to the sward. All of these seemingly unrelated incidents come together in a quick, glorious, tongue-firmly-in-cheek finale.Innes takes many delightful twists and turns in this farcical adventure. The only two minor problems I had with the story concern the herpetologist. He didn't seem to know that snakes are deaf, and he referred to Appleby's adventures in "The Seven Suspects" (1936) as having occurred at Oxford, when in actuality our serial detective solved this particular mystery at St. Anthony's College (which was admittedly modeled after Oxford). I honestly believe Innes worked the herpetologist into the plot just so he could include 'Adders' in his title.Note to animal rights activists: no snakes were harmed in the construction of this plot, although the Druids do not share in the generally happy ending.