The Royston Affair, first published in 1964 by Collins Crime Club, was D.M. Devine's third novel. It begins with a 'prodigal son' scenario, as Mark Lovell returns to his home town of Riverhead for the first time in four years. Mark, the narrator, is a solicitor who was in effect exiled after he 'blew the whistle' on his half-brother Derek, a journalist, for perjury.
Mark fell out with his father, who headed the private practice in which Mark worked, as well as his step-mother Ilona, who has always been devoted to Derek. His principled stand also infuriated his fiancee, Frances, and she broke off their engagement. But now Mark's father has had second thoughts and has summoned Mark back. Before Mark can find out what has caused his father to change his mind about their past quarrel, Patrick Lovell is murdered. And Derek is prime suspect...
This is a complicated story, and Devine's method of telling it means that we learn about what has happened in the past (including the eponymous Royston affair) in piecemeal fashion, adding to the complications. The local newspaper for which Derek works is run by a ruthless man called Willard, and it's clear that he's up to his neck in whatever has been going on. The other key characters include Patrick's two partners in the firm, members of Willard's family, and a young woman called Pattie who plays a dangerous game of blackmail.
Inspector Slade, a tough cop, investigates, but Mark - a stubborn and occasionally, it must be said, irritating individual - insists on doing his own detective work. The plot unfolds cleverly, as usual with Devine, and there's a neat false solution before the truth is finally revealed. This novel isn't as dazzling in its trickery as Devine's best work, but it's still a very capable mystery in the traditional vein.
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