The ninth Auguste Didier mystery. Murder was not on the agenda when the Ladies' Motoring Club committee decided to organise a run of their 1904 motor cars from London to Canterbury under the patronage of His Majesty King Edward VII. It is to be the occasion of the official Motor Club of Great Britain road trials for the electrically powered Dolly Dobbs, which its inventor claims has overcome the need for constant recharging of batteries - and this is its first public outing, after months of secrecy. Trouble is on the way, however, for the Dolly Dobbs sparks off mighty passions: from rival inventor Thomas Bailey determined to beat it; from the Duchess of Dewbury who hopes to drive it; from Hester Hart, the famous lady traveller recently returned to England; from Lady Bullinger, leader of the club's 'racers'; from Hortensia Millward, leader of the Horse Against Motor Car Society and, indeed, it seems, from many others who frequent the club's London headquarters and motor stable. In the club's kitchens, Auguste Didier presents the members with a cuisine worthy of his position as master chef. But when hidden passions explode into hideous murder and Inspector Egbert Rose of Scotland Yard is called in, Auguste's other skills as sleuth are put to the test once more, as he battles to help solve the case.
