A Secret Never Told

Set in 1908, Noble’s jaunty fourth Lady Dunbridge mystery (after 2020’s A Resolution at Midnight) finds Philomena “Phil” Amesbury, Countess of Dunbridge, on holiday in Coney Island, where she receives a message from Godfrey Bennington, who does “something top secret” for the War Department, asking her to return to Manhattan post haste. She assumes that it has to do with her unknown employer, who, in exchange for supporting her lavish lifestyle, only asks that she “do what any self-respecting modern countess would do: prevent criminals from getting away with murder.” To her dismay, Godfrey needs her only to serve as a hostess at a dinner party for a group of scientists and psychologists associated with the evening’s guest of honor, world renowned psychoanalyst Erik Vogeler. The superficial conviviality of the dinner guests is underpinned by jealousy and contempt, and the party ends in murder. Phil investigates with the aid of her septuagenarian butler, Preswick, and her maid, Lily. Fascinating history about Coney Island compensates for glib characterizations and a plot that includes a lot of frantic running around. Those with a taste for the madcap will be entertained. (Nov.)