A Case of Life and Limb by Sally Smith
A Case of Life and Limb is the second in the historical mystery series featuring the reclusive bachelor and barrister Gabriel Ward.
On Christmas Eve 1901, Sir William Waring, Master Treasurer, head of the Inner Temple, receives a tastefully wrapped Christmas gift containing a rather distasteful severed hand. Accompanying the gift is a card inscribed, “Can I Give You a Hand?” Despite his personal dislike for Ward (“so damned clever”), a quite shaken Waring asks Ward to find the culprit. Ward reluctantly agrees despite working on a high-profile libel case involving the famous music hall star Topsy Tillotson and the unwanted attentions of a large cat named Delphinium, who has taken to following him. More body parts are delivered and eventually a fatality.
With the help of young Police Constable Maurice Wright, Ward solves the case, triumphs in court, and installs a cat door in his rooms.
See also a Case of Mice and Murder