"Horace Manning, scientist, recluse and 'closed book' even to his friends is found dead in his study at 4a.m., following a dinner in honour of his daughter's engagement. An ivory-handled carving knife rests between his shoulder blades as the houseguests gather round to witness the awful crime. The telephone line has been sabotaged - a calculated murder has been committed. Rewinding twelve hours, the events of the afternoon and evening unfold, revealing a multitude of clues and motives from a closed cast of suspects until the narrative reaches 4a.m. again - then races on to its riveting conclusion at 4p.m. as the reader is led twice round the clock. First published in 1935, the sole novel from the actor and dancer Billie Houston is a lively country house mystery and a true lost gem of the Golden Age of crime writing."
"Fern Marshall has not seen her ex-husband in fifteen years. Their parting was less than amicable. Now she is faced him with telling him that their eighteen-year-old daughter has been in an automobile accident. If her bad news ended there, she could manage. Unfortunately, it does not. Drew Marshall feels keenly his failure as a father. When his ex-wife brings a message that his daughter has been in an accident, guilt gnaws at him. He should have been there for her. Her next revelation shakes the foundation of his world; calling into question all he thought to be settled and sure."
