The Mystery of the House Next Door (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9784824147332)

Taking on the job as valet to a retired major, William accompanies them to France on holiday and finds himself running out of ideas when the heating element on the cooker packs up at the chalet where they are staying. It is only the unexpected arrival of his Uncle Tom, who airily organises a free meal at the nearby gambling casino that results in a welcome offer from the major's wife, Lady Charlotte, whose constant demand for proper food as she puts it, gains him a welcome offer to stay with the promise of more to come.

Although well-endowed from her previous marriage, her ladyship has ambitious plans to find wealthy suitors for her two daughters, Susan and Caroline, and views William's presence with suspicion. Encouraged at hearing their neighbours are well known American actors, Lady Charlotte insists that they are invited to supper with the aim of encouraging a friendship between her daughters and the two actors, despite William's unease about their actions coinciding with recent unexplained robberies throughout the country.

With two waiters from the casino, themselves would be thieves, now working in the chalet, a chef with a secret background and the determination of Susan and Caroline to choose their own partners, events soon descend into chaos and it's up to William, encouraged by his Uncle Tom, to right the wrongs and ensure a happy ending for all.