Jul 26, 2001 10:51 AM
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This whodunit is set in Boston in the gaslight era.
The “detective” here is George Maitland, a very able chemical expert who is additionally qualified in law. The victim is the 62 year old John Darrow whose beautiful daughter Gwen provides the romantic angle in the story. The story is in the first person narrative style viewed through the eyes of Dr. Ned, the family physician of the Darrows.
On the evening of the murder, John Darrow displays a great deal of discomfiture going as far as to state openly his premonition that he is going to be murdered. The murder is committed in a closed room in which there are 5 people apart from the victim. The others in the room include Dr. Ned himself, Gwen, Maitland and two other guests of the family. At the time of Darrow’s death, all the doors and windows are closed except the window on the East side which is open about 6 inches. Darrow is in the center of the room with the other five in different parts of the room. He is seated on a high backed chair, a full 8 feet away from the open east side window.
Is it a natural death, a suicide or murder most foul? The police arrive on the spot along with the taciturn M. Godin, a French detective. The investigation by the police is concluded overnight. Godin keeps his counsel while the Boston policemen shoot their mouths off about their conclusions. The verdict is suicide. The motive – supposed financial ruin.
A short while before his death, John Darrow had extracted a promise from his daughter that she would do anything that was asked of her by the man who would bring his murderer to justice. Maitland is told about this. He investigates the case with a single-minded devotion, ostensibly to ensure that Gwen is not indebted to anyone who will take advantage of her.
Maitland and Godin independently carry on their investigations. Through the first half of the book Maitland seems to be ahead in the race to find the killer. His investigation takes him to India, where Darrow had spent several years and met the one true love of his life. He encounters a tale of jealous passion and revenge. After a lot of promise this line of investigation encounters a dead end. So back to Boston it is. This time there are no more clues to go on.
He opens up a new line of investigation not realizing that M. Godin is now ahead of him. Then, before he is ready to act, the suspect is arrested and booked by Godin. The court room action is a see-saw. This is the best part of the book and I shouldn’t reveal any more. The ending is a shocker. The author has a lot of fun leading us on several trails and then dropping us.
My impressions
The quaint setting seems to be 1800s or early 1900s. I don’t really know when electric lighting was introduced in American homes. It is also meant to be a period when fingerprint identification was unknown.
The most interesting aspect is the modus operandi for the murder. This is more difficult to solve than identifying the murderer.
Maitland comes across as a meticulous man. Every action, every word has a reason. He displays a cautious respect for the ability of his rival M. Godin. Although he loves Gwen he can’t bring himself to declare it openly. He knows she is indebted to him and thinks she will accept him out of a sense of duty rather than true love. Rather unbelievable combination of super-intelligence and macho.
Gwen at 22 is also very intelligent and knowledgeable on a very wide array of subjects. This again is rather farfetched as she has never been to school and been taught at home by her father.
Dr. Ned’s character alone seems believable. He starts off by confessing that he is not a capable physician but has a good prosperous practice due to fortuitous circumstances. I find that easier to identify with. His self-deprecating manner of narration makes him a lovable, true to life character.
M. Godin’s presence in the police investigation team is actually an unexplained mystery in the book. What is his locus standi? Where has he come from?
Should you read this book? I for one found it entertaining. Once started, I couldn’t put it down. You’ll have to decide for yourselves after reading this op. It needn’t cost you any money.
I got this book free as a download from:
https://fabmart.com/stores/books/ebooks.asp
