I enjoyed this book as a murder mystery set in an exotic location (Vienna) in the early 20th century. Inspector Jaspar, a retired Scotland Yard detective, gets involved when a British archeologist is murdered. There's plenty of suspects for him to investigate. It's written in a melodramatic style that grated on me at times, although that did not detract from the story. It's plot driven with less emphasis on characterization and locale. It has a long "reveal" at the end which may test a reader's patience. ( )

This is the third (of the four) Murder will Follow series by the author that I have read, and I continue to thoroughly enjoy them. Once again, ex-police inspector Jasper, and his trusty labrador Red, are in the wrong place at the wrong time; on this occasion, the guest of a museum director about to showcase an exhibit in Vienna of a priceless tomb mask unearthed by archaeologist Sir Peter Treemore. Of course, on the evening of the grand opening a body is found, and Jasper sets off on his usual unofficial investigation to find the murderer.

Suspects aplenty, each of whom has his or her own motive and, as baffled as Jasper is by the case, we just know that when he gathers everyone together in the site of the original murder, the grand reveal with unearth the killer.

Part of the fun of the series is the clear pleasure the author has in paying homage to the classic Golden Age writers, and the subtle shifts in narrative perspective which allows the reader into the minds of each of the suspects, and Jasper too. It's all good fun and an opportunity to stimulate those little grey cells! ( )