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Pat and Jean Abbott Mystery #20
Horror on the Ruby X
During a blizzard, a New Mexico ranch hosts "a poisonous lady of the manor . . . a puritanical spinster, an alluring secretary, and a succession of violent deaths" (Kirkus Reviews).
While investigating a deadly automobile accident in New Mexico, Pat and Jean Abbott are trapped at the Ruby X Ranch by an unexpected snowstorm, along with the ranch owner and his family, the local sheriff, a pretty secretary, and a Navajo chauffeur. But not all of them will survive the night, and when the private investigator and his wife try to identify the killer in their midst, they find themselves frozen out . . .
Praise for the Pat and Jean Abbott Mysteries
"One of the more interesting married teams of detectives . . . A sort of globetrotting Nick and Nora." --Thrilling Detective
"Pleasant reading." --The New York Times
"[A] lively, well-plotted and mystifying case." --Saturday Review
While investigating a deadly automobile accident in New Mexico, Pat and Jean Abbott are trapped at the Ruby X Ranch by an unexpected snowstorm, along with the ranch owner and his family, the local sheriff, a pretty secretary, and a Navajo chauffeur. But not all of them will survive the night, and when the private investigator and his wife try to identify the killer in their midst, they find themselves frozen out . . .
Praise for the Pat and Jean Abbott Mysteries
"One of the more interesting married teams of detectives . . . A sort of globetrotting Nick and Nora." --Thrilling Detective
"Pleasant reading." --The New York Times
"[A] lively, well-plotted and mystifying case." --Saturday Review
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1956
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20 people want to read
About the author
Frances Crane
48 books15 followersFrances Kirkwood Crane was an American mystery author, who introduced private investigator Pat Abbott and his future wife Jean in her first novel, 'The Turquoise Shop' (1941). The Abbotts investigated crimes in a total of 26 volumes, each with a colour in the title.
She died in an Albuquerque, New Mexico nursing home, where she had spent the previous few months because of ill-health. Her ashes were scattered across her home town of Lawrenceville.
Frances Crane, author of the colorful Pat and Jean Abbott mystery stories, was born in Lawrenceville, Illinois. After graduating from the University of Illinois, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, she travelled in Europe. While living there in the 1920s she began contributing to magazines, including The New Yorker, in which her satirical "Mrs. Craig-Higgs" pieces from England appeared. Her articles did not prevent her from expanding into mystery fiction, a genre in which she found great success on both sides of the ocean.
Mrs. Crane spent a good part of her life traveling the world, living for extended periods in the places that provided the settings for many of her mysteries. San Francisco was one of her favorite cities and the home of the Abbotts. Her love for that cosmopolitan center was reflected in Thirteen White Tulips, The Amber Eyes, The Man in Gray, and others. Similarly, her fascination with Tangier was evidenced in The Coral Princess Murders (1954), and her love of New Orleans in The Indigo Necklace (1945). Paris, Louisville, Texas, and many other interesting locales were also backgrounds for her mysteries.
From 1941 to 1965, Mrs. Crane completed 26 novels featuring the Abbotts, whose adventures were broadcast in two radio series in the 1940s and 50s, Abbott Mysteries and Adventures of the Abbotts.
She died in an Albuquerque, New Mexico nursing home, where she had spent the previous few months because of ill-health. Her ashes were scattered across her home town of Lawrenceville.
Frances Crane, author of the colorful Pat and Jean Abbott mystery stories, was born in Lawrenceville, Illinois. After graduating from the University of Illinois, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, she travelled in Europe. While living there in the 1920s she began contributing to magazines, including The New Yorker, in which her satirical "Mrs. Craig-Higgs" pieces from England appeared. Her articles did not prevent her from expanding into mystery fiction, a genre in which she found great success on both sides of the ocean.
Mrs. Crane spent a good part of her life traveling the world, living for extended periods in the places that provided the settings for many of her mysteries. San Francisco was one of her favorite cities and the home of the Abbotts. Her love for that cosmopolitan center was reflected in Thirteen White Tulips, The Amber Eyes, The Man in Gray, and others. Similarly, her fascination with Tangier was evidenced in The Coral Princess Murders (1954), and her love of New Orleans in The Indigo Necklace (1945). Paris, Louisville, Texas, and many other interesting locales were also backgrounds for her mysteries.
From 1941 to 1965, Mrs. Crane completed 26 novels featuring the Abbotts, whose adventures were broadcast in two radio series in the 1940s and 50s, Abbott Mysteries and Adventures of the Abbotts.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 20, 2022
Happy to see Jean and Pat Abbott back in action. Crane always shines when she returns to the New Mexico setting, her own favorite stomping grounds. Quite a crew possible murderers all stuck in a snowbound ranch house atop a mountain. Interesting, just when you think she's following the party line against Native Americans, she turns the tables and puts their critics in the doghouse and makes the characters develop some healthy respect. The end seems a bit rushed, but it's fun getting there. I still miss Pancho and the black cat.
September 20, 2012
How can you resist such a hokey title? The Ruby X is a New Mexico ranch where Pat and Jean Abbott, called on to investigate a fatal automobile crash, are stranded by a freak blizzard. Among the others trapped with them is their friend, the local sheriff, the owner Alan Mackenzie, his brother David, their mother Gina, their elderly cousin Ada, Gina's young, lovely secretary, and her Navajo chauffeur. Not all of them will still be alive by morning.
October 16, 2021
This was so-so. A husband and wife detective team drinking, smoking and (eventually) solving mysteries. As in the other two I've read in the series, centered around a dysfunctional family. A light, entertaining read. The ending was lackluster imo.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews