Swept Away By Murder by Terry Adcock

A Stage Play in Two Acts

Run-time: 84 minutes. Cast: 5F/6M; two male parts can be played by the same person; uses a single stage set, and with limited costume changes.

The story is set in an English country manor in the 1930's. The story unfolds at the home of retired judge, Sir Edward Banfield. The judge believes he is infallible when it comes to assessing someone's innocence or guilt. He invites a recently paroled ex-convict, Paul Collier, to gauge the effect of a lengthy sentence on his behavior. The judge intends to prove his insight into human nature is always correct.

Meantime, Harold Nomoney arrives - pronounced "Nom-Moe-Nay." Although Harold insists his name is French everyone gets it wrong anyway. He pursues the judge's niece, Jane, and is desperate to settle into an easy life, but the judge objects to their marriage.

There are deep resentments and hidden agendas among the other characters. Jane manages the judge's portfolio and doubled his holdings, but she has something to hide. There is something sinister brewing between Lady Eleanor and Sir Percy Pews, the judge's elegant second wife and his old law partner.

The flirtatious Miss Martie Pants is a trouble-maker at heart; she gets into everyone's business and tends to rub them the wrong way, which doesn't bode well for her. Even the innocuous domestic servants have their secrets.

With mounting tension among several characters, it's not long before someone lashes out in lethal fashion, and soon the police are called to sort the trouble. Enter Inspector Honor Broom, interpreted as 'on-her-broom' – the British have a saying 'a new broom sweeps clean,' and a clean investigation exactly how Inspector Broom plans to proceed. Newly promoted, she is a bit of a bookworm with very little field experience. She is partnered with veteran policeman, Sergeant Boswell, who resents working for someone obviously new at her job.

The outspoken Boswell has a penchant for swearing and can be rude and crude. Inspector Broom has her hands full keeping things on a professional footing with her sidekick. Throughout the story she successfully intercepts him on several occasions before he can clutter up their investigation with any foul language.

Through a series of interviews, keen observation, and astute logic, Inspector Broom sorts through various clues and ties up all the loose ends to arrive at a satisfying solution to the murders. As the cast exits the stage for the final time, Sergeant Boswell has the last word . . . and the last laugh.

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