MISS MORTON TAKES THE WATERS

Lady Caroline Morton, who prefers just Caroline, has been fortunate to work for Mrs. Frogerton since her father lost both her dowry and the family fortune. Mrs. Frogerton’s money comes from trade, but she’s a kind employer, treating Caroline like a daughter and relishing the murders they’ve helped solve together. Mrs. Frogerton’s doctor suggests a trip to Bath’s spa waters might improve the lady’s spirits. Although Dr. Harris has offered to marry Caroline, she has much warmer feelings for Inspector Ross, and at any rate plans to continue working even though she expects an inheritance large enough to support her. After Caroline arranges an apartment in Bath to accommodate two women and three dogs, the women make friends with some of their new neighbors, who range from pleasant people to raging snobs like Lady Greatmere and Lady Brompton, who bully their paid companions. Several days after Lady Brompton announces that she’s the latest of their neighbors to receive a poison pen letter, Lady Greatmere is found murdered in a locked room. Caroline uses her aristocratic title to impress the police, but the sleuthing duo soon realize that the attractive, confident Inspector Wells isn’t up to the task of solving the crime, so they launch their own investigation. Noting that some money and a pair of earrings are missing from Lady Greatmere’s strongbox, the police and some of the apartment dwellers think she was killed by her companion. Many of the companions are not fond of their mistresses, but the leading suspect is a maid in the house—until she too is found dead.