Clarence Budington Kelland is a classic name from years ago, but, sad to say, is one pretty well unknown today.
Oh, people know his works, especially movies based on his books and stories, but not necessarily his name.
"The Key Man" is a good solid story, without any pretensions, and with no hidden message or agenda. It's just a good, mostly light-hearted read, one I strongly recommend.
If you seek it out, remember the context of the times. It's about early television, when big-production variety shows were still being created, and when the people making TV shows were pioneers.
Mr. Kelland has introduced some likable characters and some good plot ideas and, to repeat, I do recommend this short novel for enjoyable but relaxing reading. ( )

While this book had the same ending of all the other Kelland books I've read the rest of the book was refreshing in that it lacked the forced naivety of his earlier works. I don't know if it's a sign of a changing reader or a jaded writer, but in this mystery centering around a murdered man dressed as a homeless man and a missing Stradivarius, the adults act like adults. No one in this book is a Mary-Jane character; they are all well rounded and willing to speak their minds and able to make mistakes and swear when they're mad. The setting of the mystery is not an orchestra as I first thought from an initial skimming; rather it is a New York television studio. As this was written in 1951, television was still in its infancy and perhaps that's why Kelland takes the time to describe how television works. His attention to detail created a believable and interesting world for the mystery to unfold. My favorite character has to be the feisty Grandmother, and while she's almost a Kelland staple character, she was particularly well written this time. ( )