Today (25th August) marks the centenary of one of my favourite authors, Dorothy Dunnett, and to celebrate I decided to read her 1970 mystery novel Ibiza Surprise, which has recently been released in a new edition by Farrago Books. Although Dunnett is better known for her historical novels (The Lymond Chronicles, the House of Niccolò series and King Hereafter, all of which I highly recommend), she also wrote seven of these contemporary mysteries featuring the portrait painter Johnson Johnson and his yacht, Dolly. The original title of this one was Dolly and the Cookie Bird and in the US, Murder in the Round.
Each book in the series is set in a different part of the world and narrated by a different young female protagonist. The narrator this time is Sarah Cassells, the twenty-year-old daughter of Lord Forsey of Pinner, who has been training as a cook since leaving school. Despite her father’s title, he is not a rich man and Sarah is earning a living by providing catering for private parties. When she hears that Lord Forsey has been found dead in an Ibiza boatyard, apparently having committed suicide, she refuses to accept that her father has killed himself. Suspecting murder, she sets off for Ibiza, where she hopes to uncover the truth.
Staying with the wealthy family of a school friend, Sarah finds herself doing the catering while also investigating her father’s death – and at the same time, looking out for a potential future husband. This last task could be easier than expected, as within hours of landing she becomes surrounded by eligible men. However, it appears that at least one of these men may not be all he seems – but which of them can and cannot be trusted?
From a mystery perspective I enjoyed this book more than the previous two – Tropical Issue and Rum Affair – because I found the plot easier to follow. I didn’t solve it all myself, though, and had to wait until the end for everything to be revealed. Sarah is not a character I could particularly like or identify with, but Dunnett perfectly captures her personality through her narrative style: an intelligent but frivolous young woman interested in men, parties, clothes and having a good time. Ibiza, of course, is an ideal place for Sarah to indulge her interest in those things, although I expect it was not quite the same there in 1970 as it is today! Away from the social whirl, there are also some lovely descriptions of the scenery, as well as some insights into the cultural side of life on the island.
We still don’t know a lot about the curiously named Johnson Johnson, apart from the fact that he’s a secret agent of some sort. He is on the peripherals of this particular mystery, although there’s obviously a lot going on behind the scenes that we don’t see. In this series, Dunnett employs the same literary device as in her other books, allowing us to see her heroes only (or mainly) through the eyes of other characters, which leaves a lot open to misinterpretation.
I will get to the other four Johnson mysteries eventually, beginning with the next one, Operation Nassau, which has also just been reissued. Meanwhile, if you think Dunnett’s historical novels could be more to your taste, here’s a post I put together for my Historical Musings series a few years ago on Reading Dorothy Dunnett – and just for fun on what would have been her 100th birthday, some Lines from Lymond!
She Reads Novels 
Years ago now, our book group was offered copies of a Dorothy Dunnett in exchange for honest reviews, The project was a failure, as not one of us managed to finish the book. It really WAS a long time ago, so I can’t remember why. But it’s hard to generate enthusiasm to pick up another one after that!
Dunnett’s historical novels are notoriously difficult to get into and a lot of people give up early on. I remember being completely confused until about halfway through the first book, when things slowly began to click into place and after that it was a hugely rewarding experience. The mysteries are much lighter!
That’s good to know!
Gosh, I had no idea she wrote mysteries!!
I think they’ve been out of print for a while and haven’t had much attention. Hopefully more people will be aware of them now they’ve been reissued!
This sounds fun, I like the Ibiza in the ’70’s setting!
Yes, it’s great escapism!
I had no idea she wrote mysteries. That cover might lead readers to think it was more contemporary but if it’s a good book and finds more readers, fair enough!
It’s not a cover I would have chosen for a 1970s mystery, but at least it’s colourful and eye-catching!
I thought I’d read all of Dunnett’s books, including her mysteries. I’m going to have to do a little research on this one, because they were originally titled as “Dolly and the . . . Bird” I think for all of them, Dolly being Johnson’s boat. It looks like they’ve all been retitled, so it’s hard to say if I’ve read them or not. But four Johnson novels sounds about right.
Well, heck, Ibiza Surprise is listed as an original title, along with Dolly and the Singing Bird, Dolly and the Doctor Bird, etc. I’m sure that current audiences wouldn’t like the Bird titles because, of course “bird” refers to the girl. It looks like, judging from your list of titles, they’ve renamed all of them.
I’ll have to try to find this one, because I guess I missed it. I’ve read all the other ones.
Yes, I think the Dolly and the…Bird titles are probably seen as outdated and inappropriate now. I don’t like her mysteries as much as her historical novels but I want to read them all anyway.
No, I found her mysteries harder to follow somehow. Johnson Johnson is almost too mysterious!