Nancy Spain 
R in the Month 

* ‘Ever since reading R in the Month as a teenager, I’ve been a Nancy Spain fan. I love her juxtaposition of seedy, atmospheric settings with humour and showbiz glamour. There’s still no one quite like her’ ELLY GRIFFITHSThe oyster party had the kiss of death upon it — even though there were two ‘R’s in the month. Miriam Birdseye — famed revue star and sleuth — could have told you that from the start. She isn’t a bit surprised to learn that her fiance’s mother died in the night.But who at the seedy Sussex hotel would have poisoned the bivalves? Could it be the hotel proprietor — a handsome, drunken bankrupt? His put-upon wife? Miriam’s impressively moustachioed fianc ? Or the menacing, unsavoury chef?Can Miriam track down the killer before anyone else is murdered by mollusc?* ‘Her detective novels are hilarious — less about detecting than delighting, with absurd farce and a wonderful turn of phrase’ SANDI TOKSVIG