Murders of the Month

WHISPERING TONGUES--Laurence Kirk --Doubleday, Doran ($2). The gossip of an English village brings Forster-Daintree to the dock after his wife's death and his almost immediate second marriage. Although he is acquitted, the whisper of poisoner still persists. The village doors are locked at night. Twined throughout the district are the tendrils of the Forster family, spoiled and queer from intermarriage and frustration. When death of the clan's head reveals murder for pride, the village breathes again, but does not understand.

THE NINE TAILORS--Dorothy L. Sayers --Har court, Brace ($2). An emergency campanologist, and then most trusted detective, Lord Peter Wimsey assumes the protectorate of Fenchurch and its Rector. Against a background of bell-clanging is first the jewel robbery of 20 years ago; then a murdered man's body in a newly opened grave. Connecting the two, Wimsey solves the crime.

HARRIET--Elizabeth Jenkins--Double-day, Doran ($2). When Lewis Oman married the simple-minded Harriet for her money, he thought not only of himself but of his artist brother and his lovely sister-in-law. At first the money was enough, but later each of the group thought how much better it would be without Harriet, contrived ways to be rid of her for good and all.

THE LESSER ANTILLES CASE--Rufus King--Crime Club ($2). Nine castaways, at sea in an open boat, believe two of their number have been murdered. Assigned to the case, Lieutenant Valcour meets another death, must go to the wreck to pursue his investigation, becomes both judge and executioner.

THE PORTCULLIS ROOM--Valentine Williams--Houghton Mifflin ($2). Elaborate mysteriousness in an old castle is made almost believable by authoritative background, good characterization, shy romance. Serialized in the Satevepost.

MR. DIGWEED AND MR. LUMB--Eden Phillpotts--Macmillan ($2). The disappearance of one of them brings two old misogynists to the eyes of England's rural constabulary. The garrulity of the survivor helps police solve a murder carefully planned for three years. MURDER STALKS THE WAKELY FAMILY --August W. Derleth--Loring & Mussey ($2). The small town's mean man was stabbed just before "Judge" Peck arrived. His son, his sister, his half-brother change from suspects to victims. The "Judge's" delving into the past unearths both the cause and manner of the killing. EPILOGUE--Bruce Graeme--Lippincott ($2). A suggestion for the rest of Dickens' unfinished story of Edwin Drood.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.