The Wrong Way Down

Miss Julia Paxton, a friend of Henry Gamadge’s wife, has asked Gamadge to help her solve a problem regarding the authenticity of an etching hanging in the Aubury Manson, which she is currently settling for the owner’s family.

When Paxton is found dead after Gamadge’s visit, it becomes more serious…is the etching key to the murder?

Gamadge finds himself dealing with a varied cast of characters — a medium who may or may not be a thief; a 40-ish flashy female, a short and heavyset man, a stylish dressing man and a woman with a snobbish demeanor. Then there is the housekeeper….

Gamadge has his hands full investigating the relationship between this group and the owner of the house — who lives on the other side of the country.

An show more enjoyable read that keeps your attention through the whole book. show less

Somehow I had a negative memory of this, but I think I was confusing it with a different story. This one involves a nice old lady who reports to Gamadge a strange alteration in an old aquatint; soon after, she is murdered and an attempt is made to kill him. A young woman who was once a child medium turns out to be a red herring; the real guilty party comes rather close to the butler did it,. but not quite.