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Mark East #1
Blood upon the Snow
The novel opens with Mark East’s arrival in the small town of Crestwood on a dark, snowy evening, having been hired by the elderly historian Joseph Stoneman who is staying with friends, the Moreys, in a remote country house in the mountains. After making his way up to the house to meet his new employer, Mark is surprised to find that Stoneman believes he is a private secretary, not a private detective. However, the old man’s shaking hands and uneasy manner tell Mark that Stoneman knows exactly who he is and what he does. Intrigued, Mark agrees to stay on in the role of secretary for a while, hoping that eventually Stoneman will tell him what is going on and why he has secretly summoned a detective.
As Mark gets to know the other people living and working in the house, he becomes even more convinced that something is not right. What – or who – are the servants so afraid of? What is wrong with the pale and nervous Laura Morey? And was Stoneman’s fall on the cellar stairs a few days before Mark’s arrival really an accident? Then a woman dies under suspicious circumstances and suddenly Mark’s skills as a detective are required after all.
As Mark gets to know the other people living and working in the house, he becomes even more convinced that something is not right. What – or who – are the servants so afraid of? What is wrong with the pale and nervous Laura Morey? And was Stoneman’s fall on the cellar stairs a few days before Mark’s arrival really an accident? Then a woman dies under suspicious circumstances and suddenly Mark’s skills as a detective are required after all.
271 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1944
4 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Hilda Lawrence
18 books3 followersHilda Kronmiller Lawrence was a mystery writer. She worked in the clipping department of Macmillan Publishers, and as a reader to the blind. She published her fiction under her married name, Hilda Lawrence.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 23, 2018
American mystery writer Hilda Lawrence (1906-1976) published her first book, Blood upon the Snow, in 1944. There are no cell phones, no DNA, no forensics, just plain old fashioned detecting and following the clues.
Mark East is a private detective who takes a job as secretary to an archeologist, Joseph Stoneman. But it's his talent at detecting that is really needed. Mr. Stoneman's estate is quite large and there are several people staying there. A snowstorm isolates them from any outside contact ... and the occupants start dying.
How many are going to die before East discovers who the killer is?
This was not highly suspenseful, more a mystery. A lot of time was spent on character development which I felt took a lot away from the crimes. There were moments of brilliance in the writing, but sadly, they were short bursts.
Many thanks to Dover Publications and Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
November 18, 2014
Blood Upon the Snow by Hilda Lawrence is an almost kind of book. The plot almost reeled me in. The mystery almost had me hooked. I almost liked the detective and the other characters. I almost cared what happened next. But I never really did. Lawrence never did provide the final spark that caught fire to make this story blaze for me.
On the face of it, it seemed like it would be a pretty interesting little vintage mystery. Written in 1944 and set on the snowbound East Coast, it had the makings of a good story. Private detective Mark East is hired by Joseph Stoneman to come to the elegant Crestwood estate. When he arrives, Stoneman tells him that all he wants him for is to act as his private secretary, but Stoneman's manner and nervous hands tell the detective another story. Then East learns of his employer's tumble down the cellar stairs. In the days that follow East's arrival, the cook dies in a mysterious fire and a housemaid disappears. Two more deaths follow and a snowstorm makes it quite plain that no one from the outside can be responsible for the mysterious events at Crestwood. As I said, all the makings of a good little classic mystery.
But Lawrence never quite gets all pulled together. There are no scenes or descriptions that allow the reader to form any sympathies with any of the characters... or for that matter to form any definite dislikes and suspicions. The clues are odd and misplaced except for the whereabouts of the final corpse--I managed to guess that one! The wrap-up scene was confusing and once the final details were revealed I'm willing to agree that the culprit was a wrong-un, but I had no way of really determining that prior to that scene. East says "we" should have guessed when the rock went through the window, but I just don't see how.
The only character I really liked was Beulah Pond. She makes a nice counter-part to Mark East and is very brave in offering her services to help wrap-up the mystery. An intelligent, useful woman who doesn't flinch at danger instead of the shy, retiring or fainting young girl in need of male assistance.
Overall: Two and a half stars (the extra half goes to Miss Pond
First posted on my blog My Reader's Blcok. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
On the face of it, it seemed like it would be a pretty interesting little vintage mystery. Written in 1944 and set on the snowbound East Coast, it had the makings of a good story. Private detective Mark East is hired by Joseph Stoneman to come to the elegant Crestwood estate. When he arrives, Stoneman tells him that all he wants him for is to act as his private secretary, but Stoneman's manner and nervous hands tell the detective another story. Then East learns of his employer's tumble down the cellar stairs. In the days that follow East's arrival, the cook dies in a mysterious fire and a housemaid disappears. Two more deaths follow and a snowstorm makes it quite plain that no one from the outside can be responsible for the mysterious events at Crestwood. As I said, all the makings of a good little classic mystery.
But Lawrence never quite gets all pulled together. There are no scenes or descriptions that allow the reader to form any sympathies with any of the characters... or for that matter to form any definite dislikes and suspicions. The clues are odd and misplaced except for the whereabouts of the final corpse--I managed to guess that one! The wrap-up scene was confusing and once the final details were revealed I'm willing to agree that the culprit was a wrong-un, but I had no way of really determining that prior to that scene. East says "we" should have guessed when the rock went through the window, but I just don't see how.
The only character I really liked was Beulah Pond. She makes a nice counter-part to Mark East and is very brave in offering her services to help wrap-up the mystery. An intelligent, useful woman who doesn't flinch at danger instead of the shy, retiring or fainting young girl in need of male assistance.
Overall: Two and a half stars (the extra half goes to Miss Pond
First posted on my blog My Reader's Blcok. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
December 4, 2018
This book must be an old reprint I came across because the store sticker on it is from Kroch & Brentano’s which closed it’s doors long ago.
To begin this story takes place clearly while WW2 is underway, and while the time is important this isn’t a “spy” story.
The story begins with Mark East being hired by a Mr. Stoneman to come out to the wilds of NY. His profession is private detective but when he arrives he is told oh- I hired you to be a secretary on a project. Stoneman evades questions etc... and then things get strange when the cook, on the verge of leaving, dies in a fire. East actually works on “a book” Stoneman is working on to keep an eye on things cause he already feels that there’s something wrong.
East is watching all sorts of strange interactions and behaviors but can’t quite figure things out. And it takes until the halfway point for another death to actually spark more active investigation on East’s part. For me, I would have like a bit more active “investigation” on East’s part a bit before if anything to just have him give us a way to find out information about the people who were killed... and a bit more of him trying to figure out more about the house hold.
Once the second death occurs, and it is revealed as a murder, things get really edgy and the story actually starts to move a bit better. The ending was quite convoluted and the last chapter is the telling of information that was finally discovered via “phone call” so that we could all be in on that information.
Would say the story, while it is a murder mystery, is also very much a suspense story in the first half. By the end of the story the somewhat “stereotypical” locals are much more fleshed out and that was very nice to see. If you like suspense and psychological thrillers this could be your thing. If you like straight out more “mystery” where we see clues with a detecting person - you may not find this quite as enjoyable. If you’re in the middle, you’ll be fine.
To begin this story takes place clearly while WW2 is underway, and while the time is important this isn’t a “spy” story.
The story begins with Mark East being hired by a Mr. Stoneman to come out to the wilds of NY. His profession is private detective but when he arrives he is told oh- I hired you to be a secretary on a project. Stoneman evades questions etc... and then things get strange when the cook, on the verge of leaving, dies in a fire. East actually works on “a book” Stoneman is working on to keep an eye on things cause he already feels that there’s something wrong.
East is watching all sorts of strange interactions and behaviors but can’t quite figure things out. And it takes until the halfway point for another death to actually spark more active investigation on East’s part. For me, I would have like a bit more active “investigation” on East’s part a bit before if anything to just have him give us a way to find out information about the people who were killed... and a bit more of him trying to figure out more about the house hold.
Once the second death occurs, and it is revealed as a murder, things get really edgy and the story actually starts to move a bit better. The ending was quite convoluted and the last chapter is the telling of information that was finally discovered via “phone call” so that we could all be in on that information.
Would say the story, while it is a murder mystery, is also very much a suspense story in the first half. By the end of the story the somewhat “stereotypical” locals are much more fleshed out and that was very nice to see. If you like suspense and psychological thrillers this could be your thing. If you like straight out more “mystery” where we see clues with a detecting person - you may not find this quite as enjoyable. If you’re in the middle, you’ll be fine.
December 31, 2019
Enjoyable snowy American murder mystery. I found this book gripping and fast paced, and had absolutely no idea who the murderer was until the very end.
August 24, 2018
A great opening scene for this classic 1944 murder/mystery/chiller which, unfortunately, turned out to be the best part of the novel. What follows does not live up to the early promise.
The atmosphere of mystery and unease is constantly diffused by acres of conversation which seem to go nowhere. There are clues as to who was responsible for the three murders, but the reveal is totally melodramatic and the explanation beyond the powers of any intelligent reader-and it is quite difficult to follow.
There are a few plus points.Some of the characters are quite interesting. Miss Beulah and Miss Bessy are in the best tradition of a pair of mystery spinsters, one formidable and the other twittery and mildly alcoholic. Some of the writing is very good. But, alas, nothing is sustained for long, apart from the chatter.
Mark East, the detective posing as a secretary to the frightened archaeologist, Joseph Stoneman, is a little too bland, the handsome host, alternatively charming and edgy, and the rich hostess, a nervous wreck.
I would characterise this as a “might have been”, a set of, perhaps too many, goodish ideas which did not quite gel into a good read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dover Publications for the digital review copy.
The atmosphere of mystery and unease is constantly diffused by acres of conversation which seem to go nowhere. There are clues as to who was responsible for the three murders, but the reveal is totally melodramatic and the explanation beyond the powers of any intelligent reader-and it is quite difficult to follow.
There are a few plus points.Some of the characters are quite interesting. Miss Beulah and Miss Bessy are in the best tradition of a pair of mystery spinsters, one formidable and the other twittery and mildly alcoholic. Some of the writing is very good. But, alas, nothing is sustained for long, apart from the chatter.
Mark East, the detective posing as a secretary to the frightened archaeologist, Joseph Stoneman, is a little too bland, the handsome host, alternatively charming and edgy, and the rich hostess, a nervous wreck.
I would characterise this as a “might have been”, a set of, perhaps too many, goodish ideas which did not quite gel into a good read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dover Publications for the digital review copy.
January 15, 2025
I romanzi scritti da questa autrice sono veramente pochi ed è un gran peccato perché lo stile è molto superiore alla media dei romanzi della Golden Age pubblicati dalla Polillo, anzi è superiore a molti scrittori e punto. E il fatto che alla fine tutti i tasselli vadano al posto giusto è solo un bonus perché il libro è già perfetto, una pagina da assaporare dopo l’altra. Un paese di montagna, una villa con i suoi abitanti, domestici, vicini, poliziotti, pupazzi di neve, bugie ed omicidi, non si può chiedere di più.
Confesso che nella prima lettura(3 stelle) lo avevo totalmente sottovalutato!
Confesso che nella prima lettura(3 stelle) lo avevo totalmente sottovalutato!
August 22, 2018
Mark East arrives at an East Coast estate near Crestwood, during a snowstorm. Basically he has been employed as a secretary to an archeologist, Stoneman. East soon determines that not is all as it should be with the inhabitants of the house.
I enjoyed this mystery which was written in 1944. A solid start to this series
A NetGalley Book
I enjoyed this mystery which was written in 1944. A solid start to this series
A NetGalley Book
December 30, 2018
I had no idea who. Was doing it or who was next! First delve into Hilda Lawrence and I NEED to read more. Quick paced crime and mystery at its best!
January 17, 2019
Truly one of the worst books I have read; first 50 pages are character and plot development with no action, then the cook is murdered. Next 50 pages are mostly padding - reactions to the murder and other non-events, but nothing about solving the mystery. Then the maid is murdered, followed by another 100 pages of padding and non-events. Finally the supposed head of the house disappears, and 50 more pages of padding follow. It is only in the final 20 pages when all the suspects are gathered together that the many seemingly random events and occurrences are tied together supposedly based on convoluted events from the past (stolen identities, murders, kidnappings, out-of-wedlock births, and other nonsense). Even with all the padding, none of the characters are well developed and the plot line is fractured and nonsensical.
This book appears on some cozy mystery lists as a Christmas mystery, but it has nothing to do with Christmas. It takes place in December, but the word "Christmas" appears 3 times in 271 pages and it has no bearing on the plot. There are no references to Christmas activities, decorations, parties, gifts, etc. Whoever may have labelled this a Christmas mystery obviously did not read the book, and I am aghast that such people would bother to compile such lists without actually reading the books.
This book appears on some cozy mystery lists as a Christmas mystery, but it has nothing to do with Christmas. It takes place in December, but the word "Christmas" appears 3 times in 271 pages and it has no bearing on the plot. There are no references to Christmas activities, decorations, parties, gifts, etc. Whoever may have labelled this a Christmas mystery obviously did not read the book, and I am aghast that such people would bother to compile such lists without actually reading the books.
August 23, 2024
When a golden age mystery goes wrong, it often looks like this.
We begin with a promising scene — a stranger arrives to a small, snow covered village in upstate New York. He has a conversation with a nice old lady that still seems oddly portentous. Then he walks, with lovingly described winter all about him, up to the strange house on the hill. Why is this man there? Supposedly, to be a secretary to a windy old gentleman who drinks. But his usual job is private investigator. Surely, with all this setup, something is going to happen…
Well, a number of somethings do occur. But not after much needless chatter. The resulting investigations also involve much more needless chatter. Add to that a lot of who cares odd details. When the dastardly plot comes into focus at the end — we learn that it’s pretty improbable and kind of exasperating.
One of my fellow readers calls this an “almost” book, because it does seem at times a good book was struggling to escape the author’s inexperience. I don’t think even Dame Agatha could have made this entrancing — as the wafer thin characters and convoluted backstory just don’t create the willing suspension of disbelief this genre needs.
I’d avoid. I wish I had made this a DNF.
We begin with a promising scene — a stranger arrives to a small, snow covered village in upstate New York. He has a conversation with a nice old lady that still seems oddly portentous. Then he walks, with lovingly described winter all about him, up to the strange house on the hill. Why is this man there? Supposedly, to be a secretary to a windy old gentleman who drinks. But his usual job is private investigator. Surely, with all this setup, something is going to happen…
Well, a number of somethings do occur. But not after much needless chatter. The resulting investigations also involve much more needless chatter. Add to that a lot of who cares odd details. When the dastardly plot comes into focus at the end — we learn that it’s pretty improbable and kind of exasperating.
One of my fellow readers calls this an “almost” book, because it does seem at times a good book was struggling to escape the author’s inexperience. I don’t think even Dame Agatha could have made this entrancing — as the wafer thin characters and convoluted backstory just don’t create the willing suspension of disbelief this genre needs.
I’d avoid. I wish I had made this a DNF.
December 6, 2022
This was a very enjoyable read; I had no idea who the killer was until the end.
My only complaint would have to be at times the pronouns confuse me, I couldn't always tell who was talking or being talked about...or maybe I was getting sleepy. Either way I enjoyed reading book and look forward to reading the next one in the series.
My only complaint would have to be at times the pronouns confuse me, I couldn't always tell who was talking or being talked about...or maybe I was getting sleepy. Either way I enjoyed reading book and look forward to reading the next one in the series.
May 10, 2019
Nice old fashioned story to read on a rainy evening. Written in 1944, it casts interesting sidelights on life in a small town in WW2. Biggest mystery: why aren’t some of those young men in uniform.
November 26, 2021
Not my favourite type of crime fiction now. Slow plotted, uninspiring and a lost interest well before the end.
March 20, 2024
Absolutely LOVED this! The time it was written in, atmosphere and the characters! Disappointed to see so many negative reviews!
November 2, 2017
For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
January 16, 2024
Mark East, private eye, is hired by old man in rural NY as bodyguard - 50 pages of character development. Then the cook is murdered - 50 pages of reactions to the murder and other non-events. Then the maid is murdered - 100 pages of non-events. Then the old man is murdered - 50 pages of padding. Final 20 pages have all remaining characters gathered together, and the murders are solved - traced to convoluted plot of stolen identities, kidnappings, and past misdeeds. One of the worst books I have ever read. The word "Christmas" is mentioned 3 times, but this is not a Christmas mystery.
October 6, 2017
La mia valutazione non raggiunge le 4 stelle piene perché lo svelamento finale dei fatti non mi ha del tutto soddisfatta. Non mi è ben chiaro come siano state scoperti alcuni fatti fondamentali e cosa abbia indirizzato l'investigatore in quella direzione. Per es. non viene detto, o io non l'ho capito, se Mark abbia scoperto chi fosse davvero Perrin da qualche indizio o atteggiamento osservato.
Nel complesso un buon giallo, da leggere quando fuori nevica.
Nel complesso un buon giallo, da leggere quando fuori nevica.
January 13, 2019
Golden Age
This mystery is a perfect example of the golden age. It's probably been around thirty years since I first read Blood upon the Snow. It's still a wonderful book to read on a winter evening. Great characters, engrossing plotline. I hope more of this author's become available on kindle.
This mystery is a perfect example of the golden age. It's probably been around thirty years since I first read Blood upon the Snow. It's still a wonderful book to read on a winter evening. Great characters, engrossing plotline. I hope more of this author's become available on kindle.
August 23, 2011
I had trouble deciding whether to give this 4 or 5 stars. I went with 4 in the hope that somethign better is out there.
The opening was intense and disturbing.
So complicated, so unexpected, but clues were there...
The opening was intense and disturbing.
So complicated, so unexpected, but clues were there...
Read
December 8, 2012boring
September 12, 2024
Very entertaining and well written.
August 28, 2018
Blood Upon The Snow by Hilda Lawrence
This story is about a detective, Mark East, who takes a job as the secretary to an archaeologist, Joseph Stoneman. The story takes place in the 40’s when there are different ways of finding evidence than there re now. No DNA or cell phones. Forensics was just plain nothing ever heard of hardly. One night at Mr. Stonemans large estate, there was a bad snow storm. The visitors starting dying and it was up to East to find the killer. Can he figure it out before it’s too late?
I did not think this was what some might consider to be a mystery to thriller as there was nothing leading up to a suspenseful situation. Most of the story was giving about the characters and their actions. I would say that half of the book was great and just the type of writing you would expect to see in a murder mystery and the other half seemed more like a get to know me session. I would still recommend this novel to others still though.
4 stars ⭐️ out of 5
This story is about a detective, Mark East, who takes a job as the secretary to an archaeologist, Joseph Stoneman. The story takes place in the 40’s when there are different ways of finding evidence than there re now. No DNA or cell phones. Forensics was just plain nothing ever heard of hardly. One night at Mr. Stonemans large estate, there was a bad snow storm. The visitors starting dying and it was up to East to find the killer. Can he figure it out before it’s too late?
I did not think this was what some might consider to be a mystery to thriller as there was nothing leading up to a suspenseful situation. Most of the story was giving about the characters and their actions. I would say that half of the book was great and just the type of writing you would expect to see in a murder mystery and the other half seemed more like a get to know me session. I would still recommend this novel to others still though.
4 stars ⭐️ out of 5
Want to read
March 9, 2019Synopsis: Mark East takes a posting as the secretary to a wealthy archeologist. When people start dying, his PI talents come to the fore.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews