"AM IN GREAT TROUBLE, please come at once. Duds."

It is the aftermath of the Second World War and Tommy and Duds Lethbridge have inherited a Manor House in Buckinghamshire. The couple invite their friends to an old-fashioned Christmas house-party to keep their minds off the dreariness of the times, England being still in the grip of post-war austerity.

The party begins favourably enough, though not much time passes before everything begins to go awry, as guests seem to be falling out with each other, in particular twin sisters, Flo and Jo. With drinks running low, Duds is beginning to regret ever embarking on a week-long celebration. Unfortunately, in the early hours of New Year's Day, events take a turn for the worse...

Duds thinks it might be a good idea to call in the services of her good friend and amateur detective, Lady Lupin, the somewhat scatterbrained wife of the Glanville vicar...

Dancing with Death (1947) was one of four stylish and humorous detective stories penned by Joan Coggin (1898-1980) - all an absolute delight!