Featuring the ever engaging Mr. and Mrs. North, their excellent cats (Martini, Gin & Sherry), and their friends Lieutenant and Mrs. Weigand, this was a typical Lockridge whodunnit, with plenty of possible suspects, one significant clue dropped carelessly into the plot, and most of the detecting done at a desk, or over martinis in front of a fire. Not for the thrill seeker, despite the rather lurid covers these books sported in their paperback versions in the late '40's and early '50's. There is virtually nothing of a sensational nature in here, and not much in the way of true suspense, usually, although the authors do occasionally put their heroine in some peril. On the other hand, these are not exactly what you'd call "cosy mysteries", because that term just doesn't quite work for the sophisticated New York crowd that dresses for lunch at the Algonquin, and has a housekeeper in a one bedroom apartment. Maybe we need a new term--a "sophie"?

Featuring the ever engaging Mr. and Mrs. North, their excellent cats (Martini, Gin & Sherry), and their friends Lieutenant and Mrs. Weigand, this was a typical Lockridge whodunnit, with plenty of possible suspects, one significant clue dropped carelessly into the plot, and most of the detecting done at a desk, or over martinis in front of a fire. Not for the thrill seeker, despite the rather lurid covers these books sported in their paperback versions in the late '40's and early '50's. There is virtually nothing of a sensational nature in here, and not much in the way of true suspense, usually, although the authors do occasionally put their heroine in some peril. On the other hand, these are not exactly what you'd call "cozy mysteries", because that term just doesn't quite work for the sophisticated New York crowd that dresses for lunch at the Algonquin, and has a housekeeper in a one bedroom apartment. Maybe we need a new term--a "sophie"?

Featuring the ever engaging Mr. and Mrs. North, their excellent cats (Martini, Gin & Sherry), and their friends Lieutenant and Mrs. Weigand, this was a typical Lockridge whodunnit, with plenty of possible suspects, one significant clue dropped carelessly into the plot, and most of the detecting done at a desk, or over martinis in front of a fire. Not for the thrill seeker, despite the rather lurid covers these books sported in their paperback versions in the late '40's and early '50's. There is virtually nothing of a sensational nature in here, and not much in the way of true suspense, usually, although the authors do occasionally put their heroine in some peril. On the other hand, these are not exactly what you'd call "cosy mysteries", because that term just doesn't quite work for the sophisticated New York crowd that dresses for lunch at the Algonquin, and has a housekeeper in a one bedroom apartment. Maybe we need a new term--a "sophie"?