This has to be one of my favorite of the Miss Silver series. I was caught up within the first few pages.

The Chinese Shawl is the story of Laura Fane, who is just coming of age and into her inheritance. There is an old house, some spinster cousins, and an alluring cousin, Tanis Lyle, waiting for her at the end of that road. Tanis is irresistible to men, but casts them off without anthough when she tires of them. During a weekend house party, Tanis is murdered, and Laura is a main suspect. Fortunately Miss Silver is there to sort it all out.

The atmosphere in this novel is overwhelming. There is a real creepiness and claustrophobia to the house and to its inmates. Nothing is ever quite what it seems, and there were more than a few occasions where I felt a palpable fear and nervousness.

I always enjoy Miss Silver mysteries. She is the next best after Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple. Miss Silver is an ex-governess turned private detective, with a penchant for quoting Tennyson, knitting, coughs that speak volumes, and a strong understanding of human nature. She’s a pleasure to read about, because she’s just quietly brilliant.

There were parts of this novel that were predictable for me, but that doesn’t take away from it in the slightest. It will still engaging, still frightening, and a perfect book to curl up with and have a cup of tea. It’s what cozy mysteries should be.