Colleen Cambridge writes interesting historical mysteries, featuring famous people as auxiliary characters. Phyllida Bright is the housekeeper and friend of Agatha Christie and her husband Max, and this book also has other literary giants, such as G.K. Chesterton, Dorothy L. Sayers and Anthony Berkeley.

The village of Listleigh is hosting a Murder Fete, with all proceeds going to fund a local orphanage that needs a new roof. Members of the Detection Club (Christie, Chesterton, Sayers and Berkeley) will be there, signing their books and talking to fans. There's also a writing contest, and the local writing group, the Listleigh Murder Club, have all entered their best short stories. The winner gets an agent and a contract to publish their work in England and the United States.

Phyllida Bright, housekeeper and friend of Agatha Christie, is working hard to make sure the event goes off without a hitch. She overhears two people talking about poisoning someone, but assumes that they are just writers, talking about their characters. But she realizes it was something much more sinister when Father Tooley collapses and dies at the opening night event, evidently poisoned.

It seems at first that he was not the intended victim, as what was poisoned were the bitters that go into the favorite drink of Mr. Whittlesby, president of the local writer's club. Mr. Whittlesby is not well liked - he is a great writer, but he is also boastful and arrogant. But when his cat is found dead in the rectory, also poisoned, Phyllida must figure out if there are two poisoners or just one, and who was really the intended victim.

This was a fun read. I really enjoyed the characters and the setting of a Murder Fete in an English village. It sounds like a lovely way to spend a weekend (if you don't count the dead bodies and the fact that someone is a murderer). Thanks to Kensington for sending me a copy of this wonderful book!