SCANDALIZE MY NAME by Fiona Sinclair, first published in the 1960s, and now being released as part of the British Library Crime Classics series, is an exceptional murder mystery of shifting viewpoints, serious motives, and calculating suspects that will keep readers guessing until the very end.

The Southeys of North London are holding a party for their daughter’s twenty-first birthday at the stately Magnolia House. Tenants, neighbors, and friends have been invited, including a womanizing clout named Ivan Sweet. When Ivan doesn’t appear for the party, and his brother goes to look for him, the man is found dead in a bathtub downstairs. Once the manner of death is determined, Superintendent Paul Grainger and his Scottish sidekick, Sergeant McGregor, must sift through the party guests to uncover the suspect with the most motive for murder. Could the killer be an angry father, a slighted author, a blackmail victim, a financially scheming brother, a jealous rival, or a longtime friend?

SCANDALIZE MY NAME is a truly entertaining and puzzling whodunit. The suspects are from all walks of life, and each has their own motive to dislike the devious victim. The addition of a list in the story that includes names, motives, and opportunities shows the precision with which the author created the suspect list and immerses readers in the methodical review of the clues. The investigation is meticulous, and Grainger and McGregor make the perfect crime-solving duo as they pry into each suspect’s past and temperament. The red herrings are also carefully created as one unlikable teenager rises as a suspect among the adults. Many mystery readers will enjoy the craft and care put into the plotting of the story. With the author's skilled writing and observations on humanity, she created a timeless tale that will continue to entertain mystery readers today and for many years to come.