The Black Stage

Some men are born to be murdered Classic crime from one of the greats of the Detection Club Among the visitors to the Vereker's family mansion of Four Acres was Lewis Bishop, a man born to be murdered – the perfect murder victim, a man whom many had every reason to hate and fear. When he is suddenly shot dead one night in the darkness of the library, he leaves behind him only unpleasant memories, a flood of relief, and a pretty puzzle for the police – and a case for the irrepressible and slightly unscrupulous detective Arthur Crook . . . in particularly fine form. Crook only grinned when Peter Vereker burst into his office. They would come to him sooner or later, Crook knew; after all, hadn't everyone connected with that famous family wanted to kill? And now Peter's beautiful cousin would hang unless Crook could find who was guilty. The Verekers family: they Knew What They Wanted... Murder! There was lovely Anne... she would do anything to keep the bitter secret of her lover hidden. Peter... he would be lost if his Aunt turned him out. Tessa... she would force her second marriage through at any cost. Bishop... he hated the family, but he knew how to use each one to suit his fancy. . . except now he was dead! Mr. Crook exposes a family affair. . .