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Hildegarde Withers #4
The Puzzle of the Pepper Tree
On vacation in California, Miss Withersdiscovers that a twenty-minute plane ride is long enough for murder
Because of the fog, the man in the brown suit arrives five minutes late for the ferry to Catalina Island. If he wishes to reach his destination today, his only option is the Dragonfly, a twelve-seat prop plane that makes up in speed what it lacks in comfort. The ride is bumpy, and all of the passengers—including a honeymooning couple, a film producer, and a would-be adventuress—find themselves feeling queasy. But none react as badly as the man in the brown suit, who sweats, shakes, and screams, “I’m dying! I don’t want to die!”—and by the time they reach Catalina, he already has.
Vacationing schoolmarm Hildegarde Withers notices the corpse when they’re taking it off the plane. An amateur sleuth with a nose for murder, it doesn’t take her long to deduce foul play. But which of the passengers was dastardly enough to commit murder in mid-air?
The Puzzle of the Pepper Tree is part of the Hildegarde Withers Mysteries series, which also includes The Penguin Pool Murder and Murder on the Blackboard.
Because of the fog, the man in the brown suit arrives five minutes late for the ferry to Catalina Island. If he wishes to reach his destination today, his only option is the Dragonfly, a twelve-seat prop plane that makes up in speed what it lacks in comfort. The ride is bumpy, and all of the passengers—including a honeymooning couple, a film producer, and a would-be adventuress—find themselves feeling queasy. But none react as badly as the man in the brown suit, who sweats, shakes, and screams, “I’m dying! I don’t want to die!”—and by the time they reach Catalina, he already has.
Vacationing schoolmarm Hildegarde Withers notices the corpse when they’re taking it off the plane. An amateur sleuth with a nose for murder, it doesn’t take her long to deduce foul play. But which of the passengers was dastardly enough to commit murder in mid-air?
The Puzzle of the Pepper Tree is part of the Hildegarde Withers Mysteries series, which also includes The Penguin Pool Murder and Murder on the Blackboard.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1933
121 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Palmer
76 books31 followersPseudonyms Theodore Orchards, Jay Stewart
Stuart Palmer (1905–1968) was an American author of mysteries. Born in Baraboo, Wisconsin, Palmer worked a number of odd jobs—including apple picking, journalism, and copywriting—before publishing his first novel, the crime drama Ace of Jades, in 1931. It was with his second novel, however, that he established his writing career: The Penguin Pool Murder introduced Hildegarde Withers, a schoolmarm who, on a field trip to the New York Aquarium, discovers a dead body in the pool. Withers was an immensely popular character, and went on to star in thirteen more novels, including Miss Withers Regrets (1947) and Nipped in the Bud (1951). A master of intricate plotting, Palmer found success writing for Hollywood, where several of his books, including The Penguin Pool Murder, were filmed by RKO Pictures Inc.
Stuart Palmer (1905–1968) was an American author of mysteries. Born in Baraboo, Wisconsin, Palmer worked a number of odd jobs—including apple picking, journalism, and copywriting—before publishing his first novel, the crime drama Ace of Jades, in 1931. It was with his second novel, however, that he established his writing career: The Penguin Pool Murder introduced Hildegarde Withers, a schoolmarm who, on a field trip to the New York Aquarium, discovers a dead body in the pool. Withers was an immensely popular character, and went on to star in thirteen more novels, including Miss Withers Regrets (1947) and Nipped in the Bud (1951). A master of intricate plotting, Palmer found success writing for Hollywood, where several of his books, including The Penguin Pool Murder, were filmed by RKO Pictures Inc.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 27, 2019
I liked it - a bit different from the movie of the book, Murder on a Honeymoon (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026744/...). Miss Withers is on vacation in Catalina.
For Cubs fans there is a little bit about how the Cubs used to go to Catalina for spring training and played at Wrigley Field there. Wrigley apparently bought up most of the island at one point.
Shortly after the Dragonfly, a seaplane ferrying folks from the mainland to the island (there is also a boat) lands at Catalina a man keels over. Not really sure how Miss Withers got involved since, in the book, she is already on the island. But she gets involved. And, before you know it, she has wired Oscar Piper, her cop in New York, to come and join her. It turns out the dead man may be a wanted man in New York.
Anyway it was fun.
For Cubs fans there is a little bit about how the Cubs used to go to Catalina for spring training and played at Wrigley Field there. Wrigley apparently bought up most of the island at one point.
Shortly after the Dragonfly, a seaplane ferrying folks from the mainland to the island (there is also a boat) lands at Catalina a man keels over. Not really sure how Miss Withers got involved since, in the book, she is already on the island. But she gets involved. And, before you know it, she has wired Oscar Piper, her cop in New York, to come and join her. It turns out the dead man may be a wanted man in New York.
Anyway it was fun.
March 18, 2022
Not impressed with this one
I was not impressed with the mystery. It was weak. I could have told you where the body was immediately. And why the trek through the mountains? It didn’t seem to advance the story at all.
I was not impressed with the mystery. It was weak. I could have told you where the body was immediately. And why the trek through the mountains? It didn’t seem to advance the story at all.
February 12, 2022
In his publicity bio, Stuart Palmer claimed to have worked at numerous jobs, including apple-picking and journalism. Considering that his first best-selling novel ("The Penguin Pool Murder") was published when he was only 26 years old, he either entered the work force as a toddler or never lasted at a job for more than a week. Or maybe he was a liar.
We know he worked for the same New York City advertising agency as Thorne Smith ("Topper") and Richard Lockridge (the "Mr and Mrs North" series.) And after the success of his first mystery featuring Miss Hildgarde Withers, he followed another well-worn path for American men and women of letters. He moved to Hollywood and became a script writer. In the 1930's the movie industry was booming and studios could afford to hire the best writing talent available. Only William Shakespeare failed to get an invitation and he was dead.
I have no objection to Mr. Palmer opting for a warm climate and better pay and maybe a chance to romance some gorgeous film actresses, but I've read the first three books featuring Miss Withers and I strongly object to him dragging her along with him. Hildegarde Withers is as much a landmark of New York City as the Statue of Liberty or Grand Central Station. I was prepared to thoroughly dislike a Miss Withers mystery set in California.
To my surprise, it turned out to be a pretty good book, if you can get past the nonsensical notion that a poorly-paid, middle-aged spinster school teacher would travel to Catalina Island for her "first vacation in five years." Cross-country travel was difficult and expensive in the 1930's and Florida was much closer. Still, Miss Withers DOES come to Catalina Island and finds a mystery to solve.
On the day in question, a man drives down from Los Angeles and misses the once-daily steam boat to the island. Reluctantly, he buys a ticket for a 10-passenger seaplane and hopes for the best. But turbulence makes the ride unpleasant and the last man on board is the first one to get sick. His sympathetic fellow passengers offer various remedies and suggestions, but by the time the Dragonfly reaches Catalina Island, the man is dead.
Of course, Miss Withers immediately becomes interested in the man's death. The local doctor declares it to be a case of natural death and the chief of police (normally busy selling kitzch to tourists) is happy to accept that opinion. But Miss Withers smells a suspicious death, especially when she realizes that she's not the only New Yorker on Catalina Island. The dead man is a fugitive from a New York City government-corruption investigation. Miss Withers demands (and gets ) an autopsy. Sure enough, the guy was poisoned.
The dead man's fellow passengers are instant suspects. There's a gorgeous blonde actress. Phyllis LaFond is a tough cookie who'll do anything to get into the movies. Miss Withers disapproves of her morals, but senses that the young woman's strength of character matches her own. The plot finds the two women alternating as allies and enemies. There's a cynical movie producer and his two young assistants who've come to Catalina to make a film. There's a pair of newly-weds who seem almost too lovey-dovey to be true, a middle-aged business man who'd like to join the Catalina party scene, and a blue-eyed Scandinavian sailor whose accent and mannerisms came straight out of Central Casting.
None of them appears to have any motive for the murder, but then are any of them what and who they say they are? That's the problem with investigating a murder in a vacation town. Most of the people are strangers to each others and to the police.
Hildegarde Withers does her best, but the bumbling "police force" soon has her doing what she never thought she'd do - wishing her old friend NYPD Homicide Inspector Oscar Piper was there. Not that she's ever thought much of HIS detecting skills, but at least he has some. And soon Inspector Piper is making the long journey from one coast to another and arriving just in time.
I knocked off a star because Palmer blatantly tipped his hand on one clue. I'm usually the last dog hung and if I can figure out where the body's hidden, it's WAY too obvious. However, Hildegarde is at her acerbic best and some of the other characters are fine. The author makes excellent use of an interesting setting and I learned quite a bit about Catalina Island's history. It's a good book and I'm glad I gave it a chance. I hope Miss Withers enjoyed her busman's holiday, but now I'm ready for her to get back to New York City, where there's never a shortage of murders to keep her busy.
We know he worked for the same New York City advertising agency as Thorne Smith ("Topper") and Richard Lockridge (the "Mr and Mrs North" series.) And after the success of his first mystery featuring Miss Hildgarde Withers, he followed another well-worn path for American men and women of letters. He moved to Hollywood and became a script writer. In the 1930's the movie industry was booming and studios could afford to hire the best writing talent available. Only William Shakespeare failed to get an invitation and he was dead.
I have no objection to Mr. Palmer opting for a warm climate and better pay and maybe a chance to romance some gorgeous film actresses, but I've read the first three books featuring Miss Withers and I strongly object to him dragging her along with him. Hildegarde Withers is as much a landmark of New York City as the Statue of Liberty or Grand Central Station. I was prepared to thoroughly dislike a Miss Withers mystery set in California.
To my surprise, it turned out to be a pretty good book, if you can get past the nonsensical notion that a poorly-paid, middle-aged spinster school teacher would travel to Catalina Island for her "first vacation in five years." Cross-country travel was difficult and expensive in the 1930's and Florida was much closer. Still, Miss Withers DOES come to Catalina Island and finds a mystery to solve.
On the day in question, a man drives down from Los Angeles and misses the once-daily steam boat to the island. Reluctantly, he buys a ticket for a 10-passenger seaplane and hopes for the best. But turbulence makes the ride unpleasant and the last man on board is the first one to get sick. His sympathetic fellow passengers offer various remedies and suggestions, but by the time the Dragonfly reaches Catalina Island, the man is dead.
Of course, Miss Withers immediately becomes interested in the man's death. The local doctor declares it to be a case of natural death and the chief of police (normally busy selling kitzch to tourists) is happy to accept that opinion. But Miss Withers smells a suspicious death, especially when she realizes that she's not the only New Yorker on Catalina Island. The dead man is a fugitive from a New York City government-corruption investigation. Miss Withers demands (and gets ) an autopsy. Sure enough, the guy was poisoned.
The dead man's fellow passengers are instant suspects. There's a gorgeous blonde actress. Phyllis LaFond is a tough cookie who'll do anything to get into the movies. Miss Withers disapproves of her morals, but senses that the young woman's strength of character matches her own. The plot finds the two women alternating as allies and enemies. There's a cynical movie producer and his two young assistants who've come to Catalina to make a film. There's a pair of newly-weds who seem almost too lovey-dovey to be true, a middle-aged business man who'd like to join the Catalina party scene, and a blue-eyed Scandinavian sailor whose accent and mannerisms came straight out of Central Casting.
None of them appears to have any motive for the murder, but then are any of them what and who they say they are? That's the problem with investigating a murder in a vacation town. Most of the people are strangers to each others and to the police.
Hildegarde Withers does her best, but the bumbling "police force" soon has her doing what she never thought she'd do - wishing her old friend NYPD Homicide Inspector Oscar Piper was there. Not that she's ever thought much of HIS detecting skills, but at least he has some. And soon Inspector Piper is making the long journey from one coast to another and arriving just in time.
I knocked off a star because Palmer blatantly tipped his hand on one clue. I'm usually the last dog hung and if I can figure out where the body's hidden, it's WAY too obvious. However, Hildegarde is at her acerbic best and some of the other characters are fine. The author makes excellent use of an interesting setting and I learned quite a bit about Catalina Island's history. It's a good book and I'm glad I gave it a chance. I hope Miss Withers enjoyed her busman's holiday, but now I'm ready for her to get back to New York City, where there's never a shortage of murders to keep her busy.
September 16, 2017
First story where Hildegarde Withers solves a case alone, without the help of her friend inspector Piper. The conclusion, although not exactly unexpected, was not clear for me, so I enjoyed this novel. I don't like to discover the identity of the murderer before or at the same time as the sleuth.
January 26, 2025
4.5 stars! A new series and author for me, quite in the style and age of Agatha Christie. In this case the heroine is a schoolteacher whose interest in uncovering murderers is often not appreciated, since she pushes against poor thinking, be it on the part of police, managers or anybody else. I didn't mind the dated aspects of the story at all - it's part of the atmosphere. It takes place on the California island of Santa Catalina, which even in the 60s was celebrated as the "island of romance". A man dies on the airplane, and Hildegarde will not let the local police classify it as a heart attack - there are too many inconsistencies. She's a brave and resourceful heroine, not to mention imperfect - not all of her plans come up gold. But she perserveres and wins out in the end! I look forward to reading more of these.
May 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this book.
Oscar Piper take a long time to appear but it doesn't suffer too much for that. Hildegard Withers is on fine form.
It was set on Catalina Island in LA. I loved the setting and I've been daydreaming about visiting one day. Whilst the cast of characters was large it was easy to remember who everyone was.
The Puzzle itself was a bit convoluted but the wrap up at the end was clear. In short a good fun read.
Oscar Piper take a long time to appear but it doesn't suffer too much for that. Hildegard Withers is on fine form.
It was set on Catalina Island in LA. I loved the setting and I've been daydreaming about visiting one day. Whilst the cast of characters was large it was easy to remember who everyone was.
The Puzzle itself was a bit convoluted but the wrap up at the end was clear. In short a good fun read.
September 23, 2019
This 4th book in the Hildegarde Withers series does an excellent job giving the reader all the appropriate clues without making the solution obvious. Unfortunately, I remembered the culprit from the 1935 movie based on this book "Murder on a Honeymoon". I would say that even if you have seen that movie, the book is worth reading as many of the details are different (and in my opinion better).
August 4, 2025
“Somebody—I think it was Henry James—once said that no one ever was a slave but thinking made him so. It isn’t what one does, it’s what he thinks. And you, if you really wanted to, could drop your past, whatever it is, like a hot cake.”
adapted film:
murder on a honeymoon (1935) dir. Lloyd Corrigan.
adapted film:
murder on a honeymoon (1935) dir. Lloyd Corrigan.
January 20, 2023
These Hildegarde Withers mysteries are a full, quick read where the action keeps you turning the pages. The Puzzle of the Pepper Tree has Hildegarde solving two murders on her own while her Inspector friend is traveling to meet her on an island off the California coast.
March 9, 2023
OK I have found another oldie but goodie mystery series at the Carrollton, Miss., library: Stuart Palmer's "The Puzzle of the Pepper Tree". They made movies of Palmer's nosy schoolmarm and her adventures...
September 21, 2018
The book on which the film “murder on a honeymoon” was based.
August 14, 2024
Yay for gals being pals. I really like Phyllis and Hildegard.
April 30, 2018
I Book-$1.99-Early Bird Books. A good Miss Withers mystery
November 14, 2020
A Hildegarde Withers mystery set on Catalina Island. She runs the investigation herself, with Oscar only showing up near the end of the tale. Interesting setting, and - as usual - interesting characters. You're never quite sure who's a real suspect.
February 21, 2017
Another amusing mystery for spinster schoolteacher Hildegarde Withers, this time set on a small island near California, where Miss Withers happens to be taking a vacation when (of course) a murder occurs.
Although I enjoyed this one it suffered slightly for me in that Inspector Oscar Piper of the New York Police, Miss Withers's usual companion in solving crime, did not turn up in this story until the last few pages. I missed him.
Although I enjoyed this one it suffered slightly for me in that Inspector Oscar Piper of the New York Police, Miss Withers's usual companion in solving crime, did not turn up in this story until the last few pages. I missed him.
August 28, 2015
School-teacher Hildegarde Withers is vacationing on Catalina Island when the seaplane arrives with a few more tourists. But one of them is dead. Hildegarde suspects murder, of course, and when the body is stolen before an autopsy can be performed, even the sheriff has to agree. The body is identified as the missing witness in a New York city graft case, which gives Hildegarde an excuse to involve her old friend Inspector Piper.
September 13, 2016
Very good read
I enjoy mysteries set in other time periods. This is a well written page turner. Miss Withers is intuitive and nothing gets past her. In the end she sums everything up while the gasps, saying "I missed that one" several times
Read this you will enjoy it.
I enjoy mysteries set in other time periods. This is a well written page turner. Miss Withers is intuitive and nothing gets past her. In the end she sums everything up while the gasps, saying "I missed that one" several times
Read this you will enjoy it.
January 6, 2014
Such a great find. Love the series.
March 3, 2014
Cute mystery, but fairly easy to solve mystery.
February 24, 2017
This is the 4th Hildegarde Withers novel I've read (I'm reading them in order) and my favorite so far. Lots of red herrings, lots of quirky characters. Really enjoyed this book
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews