Michael Innes [J. I. M. Stewart] — Appleby at Allington

London, Victor Gollancz, 1968 . First edition. Cloth. A lovely first edition copy of this country house murder mystery novel from Michael Innes, following John Appleby as he solves a murder at a grand country estate. The first edition, first impression of the twentieth Detective John Appleby novel from J. I. M. Stewart, published under the pseudonym of Michael Innes. In the publisher's original unclipped dust wrapper.Inspired by the form of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction country house mystery, complete with elements of farce, the newly retired Sir John Appleby discovers a body while dining at his neighbour's ancestral estate, and must unmask the murdered before the garden fete being held the next day.With the small former owner's bookplate of 'J. L. Weir' to the head of the front pastedown.Published in the United States under the title 'Death by Water&apos. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with price unclipped dust wrapper. A touch of shelf wear to back strip head and tail, otherwise, externally, fine. Dust wrapper age toned to back strip, with minor discolouration and two small marks to front wrap. Light edge wear to head of dust wrapper back strip. Small former owner's bookplate to head of front pastedown. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Very Good Indeed.