When fellow passengers on a ship bound for London start to disappear, Miss Withers must rely on a mischievous cat to help solve the mystery.
Schoolteacher and occasional sleuth Hildegarde Withers has not had good luck with vacations. On her last trip, she found herself enmeshed in the investigation of a dead man on a small plane. Now, on a three-day steamer voyage to London, she’s about to … London, she’s about to encounter death again.
A gruesome joke leads to a young woman going missing from the ship’s aft rail. Is she somewhere onboard, or has she fallen into the sea? In either case, turning about will do nothing for her, so the ship steams on. Soon the passengers descend into a nightmare, as body after body appears. Putting an end to the chaos falls to Miss Withers, who must depend on the testimony of a particularly mischievous silver Persian cat. The teacher and the feline will make it to London safe and sound–so long as their curiosity doesn’t get the best of them.
The Puzzle of the Silver Persian is part of the Hildegarde Withers Mysteries series, which also includes The Penguin Pool Murder and Murder on the Blackboard.
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I’ve enjoyed watching the Hildegard Withers movies; thought it was about time to find out what they were based on. The book did not disappoint.
I love Hildegarde Withers and have seen all the old movies. Reading the book was a special treat.
easy to read a chapter or two at bedtime and pick up the next night. hard to figure out who the murderer was
Nice old fashioned mystery.
Found myself wondering if methods were even feasible. Was warned it was not the best of the series but doubt I will check out another.
Very like Dame Agatha Christie the heroine has to keep her wits about her and dig through all of the twists and turns to get at the truth. A little slow to start but picks up speed and introduces some little know areas of the UK.
boring
Lots of fun if you like cozy mysteries and I do
Seemed old fashioned and a bit odd.
A fun to read book!
Fun old style “cozy” type.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Puzzle of the Silver Persian. It was a very entertaining and atmospheric cozy mystery, and while I did suspect the correct person as the killer at several places in the mystery, I was not certain until very near the end. I would happily recommend this book if you enjoy mysteries.
This is set in the 20’s or 30’s and was written then. It’s a little different. The character’s outlooks are surprising. Especially the protagonist’s. But it’s typical of its era, slow and stately. But fun and easy to read on a lazy afternoon.
Hildegard Withers is anything but the timid, old maid, school teacher that she appears to be in her drab tweed suit, hat, gloves and ever present umbrella. Hildegard’s trademark loud sniff gets her point across of disapproval. She has plenty of “vinegar” with her few but sarcastic words and bravery in times of making herself the next target. The relationship between Hildegard and Police Detective, Oscar, two totally opposites, has more twists and turns than the plots. The plots are pretty basic but I still enjoy the journey of getting to the revealing of who dun it. The books are some of my top favorites.
This book was disappointing.
The story was just so, so. The cat had virtually nothing to do with it. The story dragged on unnecessarily.
Cute little book, easy reading and fun.
Nice old-fashioned mystery set in the 1930’s.
A great story which takes place in the 1930’s. This was a look at an era with class distinction and perfect manners in conversation, dress and behavior. This book was very enjoyable.
Too dull, unconvincing, and convoluted to read, even in the differently pages.