Death In High Heels Paperback / softback

It's a big day at Christophe et Cie, a small couture house off Regent Street.

Mr Bevan will announce which of his staff he is sending to France to be general manager of a new branch in Deauville.

Will it be the talented and elegant Miss Doon or the loyal and long-serving Miss Gregory?

Perhaps senior saleswoman Irene or showroom manager Dorian will get the job.

Events take a dramatic turn over a lunch of rabbit curry when Miss Doon collapses and dies, poisoned by the oxalic acid crystals that another employee, Rachel, has been using to clean her hat. Inspector Charlesworth and Sergeant Wyler have a murder enquiry on their hands.

Behind the glamour and gossip of a 1930s fashion house, secrets and lies are rife and more than one person may have harboured resentment towards Miss Doon.

Richard Harris's thrilling play is based on Christianna Brand's debut crime novel. Irene Best, early 40s, brisk and efficient. Frank Bevan, late 40s, a ladies' man. Rose Macinerny, 19, plump and mousy. Zelda Gregory, late 30s, tall and angular. Dorian Pouvier, late 30s, slim and fair. Rachel Gay, 30s, extremely attractive Aileen Wheeler, early 20s, a blonde stunner. Caroline Doon, late 30s, tall and well modelled. Inspector David Charlesworth, 30-something, boyishly good-looking.

Sergeant Lilian Wyler, late 30s, solid and no-nonsense