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Jack Haldean is at a house party at the home of his aunt and uncle in honor of their silver wedding anniversary. Their daughter, Isabelle, is a beauty. Arthur Stanton, a shell-shocked hero of the Great War, asks her to marry him, but she turns him down. Later, when Malcolm Smith-Fennimore, another war hero, asks for her hand, she accepts. Arthur is devastated. Another friend, Tim Preston, is also at the party. He is secretary to Victor, Lord Lyvenden, a rather unpleasant chap who made his money selling munitions during the war and is now selling fireworks. It is he who donated the fireworks display to tonight's festivities. Tim's body is discovered in Lord Lyvenden's room. He has been shot. A suicide note of sorts is found. His friends, Jack, Arthur, and Malcolm don't believe that he has killed himself. He had been in financial straits but Arthur had taken care of that problem. The fireworks have caused Arthur to have flashbacks to his days at the front during the war. He dips in and out of reality, and when he sustains a minor gunshot wound, he becomes totally amnesiac and starts wandering the countryside, which, of course, puts him in the frame for the murder. Belle has second thoughts about the suitability of Smith-Fennimore as a husband, but she doesn't tell anyone. Haldean searches for Stanton and tries to protect Sir Philip and Lady Alice, as well as Isabelle from further shocks. No matter, a pall has been thrown over the anniversary party. MAD ABOUT THE BOY? is a not totally successful attempt at an old fashioned cozy country house mystery. The characters are somewhat wooden and predictable, and although there may be a few twists at the end, this would appeal only to a very dedicated fan of the genre.
Reviewed by Barbara Franchi, April 2008
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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