Wildfire at Midnight Trivia Quiz

Answer: Skye

Having worked virtually nonstop since her divorce four years previously, Gianetta decides to abandon London and take a holiday. London is more crowded than usual due to the imminent coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Having thought of the Lake District as a destination, Gianetta takes up her mother's suggestion of visiting Skye, in Scotland.

As the novel is set in 1953, she is able to look forward to the prospect of a peaceful time spent walking and relaxing without outside distractions.

Answer: Nicholas

Gianetta's marriage to Nicholas Drury had lasted barely three years. At the time of their wedding she had been nineteen and he ten years older, and a 'man of the world'. Gianetta herself had been brought up in a vicarage and felt like an adolescent with only a thin veneer of sophistication, which she believed had fooled Nicholas.

Despite their separation, Gianetta is still wearing her wedding ring and using the name of Drury, but stops both once she discovers Nicholas is at the hotel.

Answer: Fishing

Much of the story revolves around mountain climbing, but fishing is another of the main attractions of the location. Among the guests who spend their time angling are Alastair Braine and Hartley Corrigan and the hotel is described as being a fishing hotel. Among the mountain climbers are Ronald Beagle and Marion Bradford, whose companion, Roberta Symes, is less experienced than the others. Gianetta herself books fishing lessons with Dougal Macrae.

Answer: Heather

There is an 'atmosphere' at the hotel, which Gianetta eventually learns is due to the recent death of Heather Macrae, whose body has been found on a nearby mountain, named Blaven. Heather had been laid out as a sacrifice, having had her throat cut, on a bed of driftwood and other materials which had then been set alight.

At the time of Gianetta's visit, the killer was still at large and all the potential murderers were still at the hotel.

Answer: Acting

Marcia is a well known actress, who has come to the hotel for a rest having recently finished a long run in a stage show. It is Gianetta herself who is a fashion model, and who had met Marcia due to this occupation. There are at least two writers at the hotel, including Gianetta's former husband and a man named Hubert Hay, who writes travel books. Marcia is driven away from the hotel when she discovers a doll on her bed which has been made to look like the murder victim.

This is discovered to be a red herring, with the culprit being a wronged wife whose husband has become involved with Marcia.

Answer: The ascent of Everest

If you know your history, you will remember that the successful attempt on Everest was in 1953 and coincided with the coronation. The colonel checks the radio at every opportunity to learn what progress has been reported. Unknown to her at the time, Gianetta gets the approval of the murderer by expressing her feeling that it would be rather sad to see the mountain conquered.

Answer: Climbing rope cut

Marion is not popular with the other guests, being rather domineering. She insists on climbing on Blaven, which has been avoided by everyone else since the murder, taking Roberta with her. When the pair do not return, Dougal Macrae reports that he has seen three climbers, not two, although they were too far away for him to recognise the third person. Marion's body is eventually found at the bottom of a gully, with the rope cut, while Roberta's whereabouts remain a mystery.

The killer's motivation later becomes clear - a form of worship of the mountains - making Marion's lack of respect for the mountains the reason for her fate.

Answer: The Golden Bough

Having been unable to sleep, Gianetta has gathered some reading material and discovers 'The Golden Bough' among her collection. Written by Sir James George Frazer, the book discusses various forms of religion. Gianetta is shocked to find an envelope marking a passage about human sacrifices in Scotland and even more so to find that it is addressed to Nicholas. To add to her discomfort, the writing on the envelope is her father's, making it clear that her family knew that Nicholas would be at the same hotel as Gianetta.

Answer: Brooch

During the search for Roberta, Gianetta discovers the brooch which she believes to belong to the missing woman. She later discovers Roberta, who is still alive, making her a target for the murderer. The brooch is identified by Dougal Macrae as having been his daughter's, a gift from him for her birthday. Gianetta then remembers that the person who described the murder scene had told her about the jewelry found, mentioning the brooch which can't have been there, so must be the guilty party.

Answer: True

Following various adventures, and another murder, the killer is brought to justice but not before bringing Gianetta close to death herself. For some reason, she forgives Nicholas for his treatment of her during their marriage and they decide to marry again.

Her father has obviously been helping towards this end and her mother has never acknowledged the fact that the couple divorced in the first place. The book was first published in 1956, when divorce was less acceptable, but to modern readers the reconciliation seems unlikely.