Dirge for a Dorset Druid: A Penny Spring and Sir Toby Glendower Mystery

Arnold ( The Cape Cod Conundrum ) features her two clever and extremely likable elderly academics, archeologist Sir Toby Glendower and anthropologist Dame Penny Spring, in their 11th adventure. The plot, a potent mix of murder, smuggling and witchcraft revolving around a cache of priceless Crown jewels missing from France since 1792, and the tragic fate of 18th-century French Royalist emigres, promises literate fireworks but doesn't ignite until the final chapters. While Penny is on a book tour in Australia, Toby visits a former student in Dorchester who is about to open a dig in an Iron Age earthwork. The two discover a corpse dressed as a modern Druid, the second recent victim of murder in the area. Toby's detecting is sparked when Penny flies home to help. Another death, subtle threats and an awe-inspiring treasure uncovered at the end of a long-hidden tunnel precede a spectacular execution brought about by black magic. Although loose ends, especially those connected to possible suspects, are neatly tied up at the end, they are dangled too long. Even a middling offering from Arnold, however, delivers intelligent entertainment. (Feb.)