A great deal of talent is lost in the world for want of a little courage.
Edmund Crispin – The Case of the Gilded Fly
Talent Lost to Fear
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In "The Case of the Gilded Fly" by Edmund Crispin, a group of theater actors and producers gather at a country house to rehearse a new play. The murder of one of the actresses, Yseut Haskell, disrupts their plans and draws the attention of Oxford professor and amateur detective, Gervase Fen. Fen investigates the case, questioning suspects and piecing together clues, while also dealing with the eccentricities of the theater world. As the investigation progresses, Fen uncovers a web of secrets and motives that lead to the surprising identity of the killer. The novel is a classic example of the "Golden Age" of detective fiction, with a complex plot, witty dialogue, and memorable characters.