Murder in the Family / Nice People Murder

Murder in the Family: Helen Cauldron Cromer is mistress of the lovely old manor house, Cauldron's Folly, in the hills of Tennessee. With her live her cousin, John Cauldron, a young artist named Rawley who is evaluating the manor's paintings, and three servants. Her brother, Burk, also spends much time there. When the story opens the family is awaiting the trial of the murderer of Helen's daughter, Lucy, who was heir to the Folly. Helen has called in her girlhood sweetheart, Calvin Morse, a lawyer who now lives in New York, because she believes attempts are being made to kill her, too.

Calvin soon discovers her fears are well founded and the threat comes from someone close to Helen. The solution hinges on the late Peter Cauldron's will. By its terms Burk got practically nothing, Helen everything. But Burk's children can inherit the estate, and Burk is about to marry beautiful Rita Rand who is indirectly implicated in Lucy's murder. Calvin uncovers other suspects-people who stand to benefit by Helen's death. Can he discover the one who is trying to murder her? A gripping finale brings to light a deadly plot.

Nice People Murder: There was good reason for lawyer Stanley Hazlitt to get another legal expert to draw a new will for his brother T. D. Hazlitt, wealthy steel magnate. T. D. had discovered that his wife was in love with another man, and he had determined to replace the old will. Brother Stanley expected to be chief beneficiary. So Jeff Ryder, astute young attorney, and his friend Capt. Cal Kent, just back from Korea, were summoned to Hazlitt's summer home, a great house dramatically built on a rocky promontory on the Maine coast. Everybody seemed to know that T. D. was making a new will although it was supposed to be a profound secret. Before the will is signed T. D. is murdered and suspicion fastens on his wife-whom Cal Kent had known when they were much younger-and on the man she loves. Jeff and Cal must follow their own leads through motives and accusations in order to bring the killer to justice.

Mary Hastings Bradley's writing is distinctly above average. This novel is an exciting yarn for all who enjoy first rate mysteries and suspense novels. The background is unusual, eerie, and awesome. The people in the novel are an unusual group skillfully depicted. The plot is ingenious, well-contrived, and its incidents move to a conclusion that is unexpected and convincing.

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