The Murder of Lalla Lee / The Telltale Telegram

Oberon W. Wimble, private detective, goes by 'O. W.' (His mother had an unfortunate enthusiasm for a certain Shakespeare play.) His police colleagues and the press refer to him as 'One-Week' Wimble, because he wraps up his cases within a single week. Rotund, but well-groomed, and genial in nature (after all, you get more information out of someone if you show you really like them), Wimble has taken on a young assistant detective, the son of a former sweetheart. Corey Webb has the handsome looks that initiate suggestions from strangers that he move to Tinseltown and work in the 'talkies', but he wants a 'he-man' job that keeps him away from starry-eyed women. Wimble finds him an eager assistant as they tackle a pair of challenging mysteries.

The Murder of Lalla Lee (1931): An ex-chorus girl who has recently married a wealthy old man, but that hasn't stopped her from carousing and carrying on affairs. Lalla sends word to the District Attorney that she has some information for him, and he asks Wimble to step in. After O. W. and Corey arrive for tea, Lalla's body is found in the house. Numerous suspects make their appearance, but it isn't until O. W. digs into a tragedy decades in the past that he is able to unravel the mystery.

The Telltale Telegram (1932): Gary Gilbert, a 'parlor snake, ' is about to marry Marcia Allen for her money, but before the announcement at Marcia's house party, Gary is found with a knife in his chest. O. W. and Corey are visiting Corey's mother in California (just a scheme, Corey fumes, to get him into the 'talkies'), when a young journalist, Janet, arrives to convince them to investigate the murder. Together, they find a puzzling mystery, suspects trying to protect each other, a blackmail plot, and a frame job. O.W. has his work cut out for him to find the culprit within a week. Corey has a greater challenge-will he change his mind about attractive young women?

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