The New Sonia Wayward is a 1960 thriller novel by the British writer Michael Innes. It was published in the United States by Dodd, Mead under the alternative title The Case of Sonia Wayward. It is an inverted detective story with comedy elements, with the focus on the murderous protagonist. It was one of several standalone novels by Innes, who was best known for his series featuring the Golden Age detective John Appleby. Maurice Richardson writing in The Observer felt it "rather light for a suspense story but most pleasingly written."

Synopsis

A retired colonel is married to a bullying tyrant who also happens to be a bestselling novelist. While on a sailing trip with his wife in the English Channel he throws her overboard. However, well-practiced in her style of writing, he continues to produce her novels to considerable success.

The New Sonia Wayward

References

Bibliography

Hubin, Allen J. Crime Fiction, 1749-1980: A Comprehensive Bibliography. Garland Publishing, 1984. Reilly, John M. Twentieth Century Crime & Mystery Writers. Springer, 2015. Scheper, George L. Michael Innes. Ungar, 1986.

The New Sonia Wayward

1960 British novels

British mystery novels

British crime novels

British thriller novels

Novels by Michael Innes

Novels set in England

British detective novels

Victor Gollancz Ltd books

The New Sonia Wayward