Witness before the fact

A skilful mystery from this ever-popular mistress of the genre "You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs." It was the fact that Alec Methven had apparently done so that first makes the police suspicious on the island of Madeira. Despite all indications to the contrary, he had not eaten his last meal in solitude, and someone is desperate to conceal that fact. Friends, neighbours with motives and an inexplicable second killing only complicate matters for Peter Corey as he keeps asking awkward questions.