Wealthy industrialist
Charles Collison is found bludgeoned to death shortly after his son,
Geoffrey, and nephew, Arthur Cross, return from World War II. As the
principal beneficiaries of Charles' will, both men are suspects.
Inspector James is called in to investigate and thinks he knows which of them
is guilty.
Arthur Cross, who survives a concentration camp which leaves him
conscienceless, returns to England to share, with his cousin, in an
uncle's benevolence and affection and the promise of a substantial
inheritance. Wanting his share now, rather than later, Cross plans
ingeniously and infallibly his uncle's murder, waits many months before
be can effect it with an alibi which the police cannot perforate much as
they dislike him. But a chance witness, a girl of easy virtue, follows
him down after the case is closed, causes him to kill again
spontaneously and less successfully, eventually leads to his desperate
undoing. Accomplished.
Printing History
Written by Paul Winterton (1908-2001)
Copyright
Harper
July 1948
Also published as The Trouble With Murder
Pocket Books
1950
