David Frome (1898–1983)

Not particularly satisfactory murder mystery (with, by the way, a grossly misleading cover -- clearly the artist hadn't read the scene that inspired it). The setting itself is quite interesting, a college town in Maryland (the author herself lived in Maryland). One oddity is that the murder itself doesn't occur until the middle of the book, by which time we've been given a variety of possible motives and the various cast of characters. I'm afraid this is one of those least-likely solutions, together with evidence that's withheld or misinterpreted, and frankly, I think the whole title of the book itself is misleading. Not particularly recommended.… (more)

Written in 1932, the story is told by Dr. Ruth Fisher, a woman doctor in a small town in Maryland. She has been in the town for many years and know quite a bit about the families and their secrets.

Miss Antoinette (Nettie) Wyndham; an aristocratic spinster of great wealth who lives in a grand house. She is a bitter, malevolent woman who lives alone. She seems to have control over many peoples lives and has cause great pain to many families. She has 3 nephews and a niece who are her only heirs, but there is only one she favours.

Miss Windham is found dead in her bed. Her ancient and decrepit dog also. It turns out to be a matter of poison. The question is who. The why is automatically pinned on her money. There is also the matter of missing jewellery and items of worth. Itmes she has filed insurance claims on and collected on.

Characters such as Daphne Lane, a newly arrived platinum blonde hairdresser who has been seen running around with one of the Wyndham nephews: Alice Penniman, wife of Sameul and mother to Nat, who covets the Wyndham mansion and want it and its contents: Judge Garth, an old and long time friend of Miss Wyndham: Lieutenant Joseph Kelley of the Baltimore police who is sent down to solve the crime. They all add to the mix along with Ford's descriptions of the house, surroundings and atmosphere.

This was a book that I enjoyed and was able to escape into. I made a point to sit dow and read during the day just because I enjoyed it. I normally read at night!

It is not a simple crime and there is a lot of twists and turns. I even found myself wondering if ford would come up with a good solution to sind it all up. She did!… (more)