Author: McCloy, Helen

Classic crime

Published on 11 September 2025 by Penguin Books Ltd in the United Kingdom as part of ‘The Mermaid Collection’ series.

Paperback | 224 pages
198 x 129 | 192g

Rediscover the brilliance of Through A Glass, Darkly in the Mermaid Collection – classic books by popular pioneering female authors republished to delight new generations of readers. Pre-order this gorgeous edition now.

The jewel in the crown of the beloved Dr Basil Willing mysteries – when unassuming art teacher Faustina Crayle loses her second job in quick succession, only Basil can help, and it goes from bad to worse for Faustina when a body is found . . .

With a foreword by Gillian McAllisterThey watch me all the time. In and out of the classroom, their eyes are always following me . . .’Quiet, gentle, young Faustina Crayle is dismissed from her teaching position at Brereton School for Girls after just a few weeks. She is given no explanation, but it’s clear certain staff and pupils fear her.

Her friend and fellow teacher Gisela contacts psychologist and sleuth Dr Basil Willing who offers to investigate these outlandish claims. But this only confirms two damning facts first, that this happened at a previous school and, second, people believe there are two sides to enigmatic Faustina.

When a body is found at the school and Faustina is implicated in the death, it is clear that darkness swirls around this young woman. But is she the perpetrator or victim?Praise for Helen McCloy: ‘McCloy has always resembled the best writers of the Sayers-Blake-Allingham school’ New York Times In the very top rank’ Sunday Times