The Skein

Lady Anne Riddecoombe is a witty, intelligent woman in post-World War II England; she abhors her husband, Sir Arthur-and rightfully so. Sir Arthur is a rich, powerful blackmailer who deals in stolen art and armaments. Forced into her marriage, Lady Anne passes the time by unraveling the web of human behavior that surrounds her. She sees life as a skein of relationships, motives, and emotions with the power to connect or separate. Soon, Ann finds she must separate herself from Sir Arthur in order to save a na ve young woman by the name of Letty, along with her cat, Van Eyck. The two women, although very dissimilar, strike up a friendship and lean on each other for support. With the help of Allen Herrick-an agent of houses and the secret service-Ann finds a home of her own, away from Sir Arthur and his odious cruelty. Even so, Ann has not escaped entirely. When Sir Arthur is found murdered on the grounds of Ann's new home, questions are raised. Who hated the man enough to kill? Could it be a victim of his blackmail? Could it be Arthur's dull yet vengeful brother Percival? What does the town gossip have to do with murder? With the help of Herrick and friends in Scotland Yard, Ann must come to terms with her past and decide her future. Will she find the happiness she deserves, or will the web of lies lead to her undoing?