Remembering the Dead

Penny Brannigan is delighted to be asked to organize a formal dinner to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War I. In Remembering the Dead by Elizabeth Duncan, part of the event will include the unveiling of a restored piece of Welsh history - the Black Chair. 

The Chair was awarded to Welsh poet Hedd Wyn posthumously in 1917 and has been a precious part of Welsh history. When it comes time to unveil the chair, the guests soon discover the Black Chair has been stolen. 

When Penny discovers an injured waiter outside in the pouring rain, she rushes back to find help. Relieved to know it isn't her young friend Lane, but when the waiter dies, she is saddened to learn he is the nephew of one of her spa employees. But another problem arises. Lane has disappeared and Penny knows he was frightened by something. She feels she needs to find him to determine who or what scared him.

Naturally the catering staff and waiters become suspects, but Penny begins her own

investigation. She believes the murder of the waiter and the theft of the chair are connected and she plans to visit her friend Jimmy Hill, an ex-thief, who might have some ideas on how the theft took place. 

As part of her investigation, Penny encounters an eccentric herbalist who might be sheltering Lane, a suspicious group of travelers camped near her home and a disreputable antiques dealer in her search to find the chair. As she slowly weaves the picture together, she is surprised at who is actually involved. 

And Penny saves the day just in time for the visit from the Prince of Wales. An inviting view of life in a small Welsh town.