The Layton Court Mystery

When the charming but sharp-witted amateur sleuth Roger Sheringham is invited to a country house party at Layton Court, he expects laughter, cocktails, and lively conversation-not murder. But when a guest is found dead under suspicious circumstances, the elegant weekend gathering turns into a deadly game of deduction and deceit.
With the local police baffled, Sheringham takes charge, applying his keen intellect, biting wit, and relentless curiosity to untangle a puzzle full of hidden motives, secret liaisons, and shocking revelations. Every guest has something to hide, and every clue draws him deeper into a labyrinth of lies that could expose far more than a killer.
Originally published in 1925, The Layton Court Mystery launched one of the most brilliant detective series of the Golden Age of British crime fiction. Written by Anthony Berkeley, a founding member of the Detection Club alongside Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, this novel delivers everything fans of classic whodunits, British country house mysteries, and vintage detective stories love: sparkling dialogue, eccentric suspects, and a mystery that challenges the reader to solve it first.
Perfect for readers of Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, and John Dickson Carr, this atmospheric and intelligent mystery marks the unforgettable debut of Roger Sheringham-a sleuth whose brilliance and humor set a new standard for the genre.

Anthony Berkeley (1893-1971) was one of the founding masters of the Golden Age of British detective fiction. Writing under his own name and as Francis Iles, Berkeley helped transform the mystery novel from a simple puzzle into a sophisticated exploration of character, motive, and psychology.
A journalist, humorist, and critic as well as a novelist, Berkeley was a founding member of London's legendary Detection Club, where he worked alongside Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and G.K. Chesterton. His creation of Roger Sheringham, an erudite amateur sleuth with a sharp wit and human flaws, redefined the modern detective hero.
Berkeley's innovative approach to crime, suspense, and psychological intrigue influenced generations of writers and helped shape the evolution of the classic British mystery. His works-especially The Layton Court Mystery, The Poisoned Chocolates Case, and Malice Aforethought-remain essential reading for anyone who loves intelligent whodunits, vintage crime stories, and the enduring charm of Golden Age mysteries.