Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Vol. 127, No. 5. Whole No. 777, May 2006

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Judith Cutler is the author of two acclaimed series of crime novels set in Birmingham, England. One stars amateur sleuth Sophie Rivers, the other Inspector Kate Power (who lives up to her name). A third protagonist will soon join these two successful Cutler creations; watch for painter and decorator turned amateur detective Caffy Tyler. Ms. Cutler’s most recent novel, Scar Tissue, was published by Allison & Busby in 2004.

If only Hamlet had been tried for Polonius’s death the truth would have come out.

Why was it my destiny ever to be involved? God knows it was not my choice, at any point. I was unprepared for any of it. I had always been content with my lot, a serving woman, waiting on Her Majesty. I would mend her clothes, dress her hair, and sleep on my pallet across the door to her apartment to keep her safe and preserve her reputation. There were times, of course, when I heard the measured gait of His Majesty approaching, and knew to make myself scarce. Those times came less and less often once His Majesty’s younger brother Claudius returned, when it seemed to me the whole court spent its time carousing. After our seemly, plain suppers, the rich food and Rhenish disagreed with His Majesty, and he came hardly ever to Her Majesty’s chamber. I thought at first it was she who went to his, she came reeling back to her boudoir so late, but I have since had cause to change my mind.

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