Mammoth Books presents The Adventure of the Grace Chalice

Book 320: Mammoth Books

by Roger Johnson

Genres: Mystery

Synopsis

Henry Staunton is a self-important, prosperous man not without self-esteem. He is utterly distressed to find his new Grace Chalice (the celebrated golden cup that had cost him a pretty penny) missing from the safe, securely built into the wall and hidden behind a looking-glass in his office. A man who values his privacy enormously, Staunton chooses not to involve the police and instead approaches Holmes, who is intrigued by the mystery. All the while, Esme Freeling, a criminal Holmes was partly responsible for having locked up has escaped from Chelmsford Prison.

Release date: May 17, 2012

Publisher: C & R Crime

Print pages: 9

Sample

“Watson,” said Mr Sherlock Holmes from the bow-window, where he had stood for the past half-hour, gazing moodily down into the street, “if I mistake not, we have a client.”

I was more than pleased to hear the excitement in his voice. Holmes had been restlessly unemployed for nearly a week, and neither his temper nor mine had been helped by the dull, leaden skies of March with their intermittent showers, which caused my old wound to ache abominably.

“A prosperous man,” he continued. “Purposeful and not without self-esteem. Ah, he has paid off the cab and is approaching our door. Let us hope that he brings something of interest.” He turned away from the window, and at that moment we heard a determined ring upon the front-door bell. Within a minute our good landlady had shown into the room a plump man w. . .