The short stories in this 3rd volume of the Berry series were much improved over those in the first book (The Brother of Daphne). The plots were more varied and the dialogue, though still scattered with the witticisms that were such a feature of the first book, was more reasonable. ( )

With an utterly distinctive style, Dornford Yates mixes chivalry, 'banter' and lyrical description in what can be an unsettling mix but fits these short stories of that short period between the wars. Affluent and idle, Berry and Co while away their time solving mysteries and getting in and out of scrapes. Perhaps the star of the show is Nobby - the crime solving and endearing dog who takes centre stage quite often enough - Yates is much more besotted with the hound than any of his elegant ladies...