In 1154, Marlborough Hall—according to legend—was the scene of an illicit love affair, a rather sordid scenario which included a murder and a jealous wife.

Now, in 1903, Blenheim Palace , home of the ninth Duke and twelfth Duchess of Marlborough , occupies the site. The Duke makes little attempt to hide his infatuation for a beautiful American visitor, Gladys Deacon. Suddenly, it looks as if history might be repeating itself: the Duke, Gladys, another houseguest—also infatuated with Gladys—and a maid have come up missing.

Other visitors at the Palace include Charles Sheridan, a baron and amateur sleuth, his wife Kate (who’s no slouch when it comes to detective work, either) and a young Winston Churchill.

Outwardly, Blenheim presents a façade of quiet elegance and wealth. Inside, especially “below-stairs,” there are some frayed edges and loose seams. The turnover rate among the domestic staff is quite high, and credentials aren’t always checked as carefully as they might be.

Looking into the disappearances, Charles and Kate find plenty of clues—but for what? A kidnapping? A murder? Theft? They have everything except a crime.

Added to this is the fact that someone is trying to sell some of the family gems. Just what—if anything—is the connection? And does the fact that the royal family will be visiting in a couple of weeks play into this?

Just as the reader feels that perhaps he or she is getting a handle on things, the authors delight in complicating matters further.

This well-crafted mystery is further strengthened by a cast of historical characters, whom the authors have depicted as real people the reader can easily identify with. One of the best is a young, ambitious, impetuous T.E. Lawrence (later “of Arabia ”), who gets involved perhaps a little more deeply than he’d planned.

Almost everything is satisfactorily resolved at the end, though the criminal mastermind…well, the authors say we’ll be seeing more of “N”.

 I’ll be looking forward to that.