J. S. Fletcher 
The Rayner-Slade Amalgamation 

In the early part of his career, J. S. Fletcher worked as a historian, producing a number of important scholarly works. When he later turned to writing mysteries, he imbued his tales with rich detail and fascinating, well-drawn characters that highlight his training as a historian. The Rayner-Slade Amalgamation is a classic Fletcher mystery with something for everyone: plot twists and turns, a heaping dose of local color, and even a bit of romance.