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This page lists novels that feature the amateur detective Mrs Pargeter.

A Nice Class of Corpse

Simon Brett

1986

A Mrs Pargeter novel.

"The Devereux is a nice residential hotel which caters for a nice class of guest. But the arrival of Mrs Pargeter, an attractive widow, seems to act as a catalyst of disaster for everyone connected with the hotel. On the morning after her arrival, the corpse of one of the frailer residents is found at the foot of the main staircase, and shortly after that another death shakes the gentility of the hotel. Deciding to investigate herself, Mrs Pargeter discovers that more than one person in the Devereux has a motive for murder."

Mrs, Presumed Dead

Simon Brett

1988

A Mrs Pargeter novel.

"The prosperous housing estate of Smithy’s Loam should be the epitome of middle-class respectability, but Mrs Pargeter decides that there’s something just a little bit odd about her new neighbours. When the central heating breaks down, she decides to contact the former occupants, the Cottons, for advice. But the address to which they should have moved doesn’t exist and Mr Cotton’s employers seem to have no trace of him. Then Mrs Pargeter finds an unposted letter addressed to the Church of Utter Simplicity – and begins to wonder, where are the Cottons?"

Mrs Pargeter's Package

Simon Brett

1990

A Mrs Pargeter novel.

"Although a trip to Corfu is not Mrs Pargeter’s usual idea of a holiday, keeping a recently widowed friend company overrules her misgivings. But when that friend starts behaving strangely and is then found having apparently committed suicide, Mrs Pargeter resolves to get to the bottom of the mystery."

Mrs Pargeter's Pound of Flesh

Simon Brett

1992

A Mrs Pargeter novel.

"While she has never felt the need to change her figure, Mrs Pargeter is happy enough to accompany her friend Kim to a health farm. Until, in the night, she sees a body being wheeled out. What Mrs Pargeter doesn’t realise is that this suspicious death will set her on a trail of detection which will bring her into direct conflict with her late husband’s business associates."

Mrs Pargeter's Plot

Simon Brett

1996

A Mrs Pargeter novel.

"Construction on Mrs Pargeter’s new country home comes to an abrupt halt when a corpse is discovered in the wine cellar. The accused is Concrete Jacket, the builder and great friend of Mrs P’s late, lamented husband. Mrs P is not about to let prison come between her and her dream home. Concrete may be a scoundrel but he’s no killer. Someone has set him up – but who? Mrs Pargeter determines to find out."

Mrs Pargeter's Point of Honour

Simon Brett

1999

A Mrs Pargeter novel.

"Hired by another widow, Veronica Chastaigne, to return all the art treasures that her late husband accumulated in a long career of larceny, Mrs Pargeter is forced to find out more than she would wish about the deceased Mr P’s “business activities” as she recreates one of his most famous scams."

Mrs Pargeter's Principle

Simon Brett

2015

A Mrs Pargeter novel.

"Attending the funeral of the rich and respected Sir Normington Winthrop, because his is one of the names in the little black book bequeathed to her by her late husband, Mrs Pargeter sets out to discover the connection between the two men. Her investigations will draw her into a shady world of gun-runners, shifty policitians - and a kidnapped vicar."

Mrs Pargeter's Public Relations

Simon Brett

2017

A Mrs Pargeter novel.

"It is her characteristic generosity rather than her love of animals that finds Mrs Pargeter supporting her friend, Jasmine Angold, at a charity reception for PhiliPussies, whose worthy aim is to rehabilitate stray cats from the Greek island of Atmos into caring English homes. But the evening is to have unexpected consequences. At the event, Mrs P is taken aback to meet a woman who claims to be the sister of her late husband, the much-missed Mr Pargeter. This surprising encounter leads to unwelcome digging into past secrets, the discovery of a body in Epping Forest, an eventful trip to Greece - and unexpected danger for Mrs Pargeter. In the course of her investigations, she learns the true nature of charity and the dubious skills by which Public Relations can make evil look good."