Opera singer and part-time sleuth, Philippa Beary, returns in the second of a series of lighthearted mystery books featuring the Beary family. In A Black Tie Affair and Other Mystery Stories, Philippa-together with her feisty city councillor father and her detective inspector brother-foils would-be criminals in a variety of settings.

In the title story, set against the backdrop of the world of professional singing, Bertram Beary thwarts the poisoning of a beautiful prima donna during a New Year''s Eve gala performance of Die Fledermaus. In "The Mephisto Waltz Jump," rivalry between two young champions at the skating rink results in a catastrophic accident-or was it an accident? And an abandoned dog becomes the key to the unravelling of a deadly plot in "A Grim Ferry Tale."

With subjects that range from political controversies to disasters at the Christmas pantomime, these nine intriguing stories will challenge mystery lovers everywhere.