The Odd Flamingo

the long version

Beautiful Rose Blacker was a pathetic figure when she came to tell Celia Stone that she was pregnant by Humphrey, Celia's husband. Rose produced love letters from Humphrey which seemed to be conclusive proof of his guilt. Fearful for the future of her family, Celia sent for Will Hunt, her old flame and friend. Will tried to help, but the murder which soon followed only added to the network of troubles around Humphrey. Will's seemingly ineffective enquiries uncover evidence that starts to converge on the patrons and strange goings-on of the seedy Chelsea club, "The Odd Flamingo." First published in 1954, this was one of two gritty and atmospheric crime novels written by the accomplished children's author Nina Bawden.