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Ethel Thomas, Detective #1
The Whispering Window
An Ethel Thomas Detective Story
A little shoving and pushing on Sale Days at a major New York department store is not unusual, and murder is definitely something out of the ordinary. But when one of the buyers at Doane’s Department Store is found dead at her desk it becomes a matter not just for the police, but for Miss Ethel Thomas, who, at seventy-five, becomes a most unlikely detective as she attempts to unravel not only the murder, but the mysterious losses that have been plaguing the store.
Are the two related? And if so, who is the culprit? Charlie Doane, the owner of the store, Herbert Hastings, Doane’s brother-in-law and manager of the store, or the dead woman’s son? Or was the murder a woman, Beth Oliver or Eva Sutton, both of whom are more than just store clerks? And what does Mrs. Kelly know that has made her a target?
A little shoving and pushing on Sale Days at a major New York department store is not unusual, and murder is definitely something out of the ordinary. But when one of the buyers at Doane’s Department Store is found dead at her desk it becomes a matter not just for the police, but for Miss Ethel Thomas, who, at seventy-five, becomes a most unlikely detective as she attempts to unravel not only the murder, but the mysterious losses that have been plaguing the store.
Are the two related? And if so, who is the culprit? Charlie Doane, the owner of the store, Herbert Hastings, Doane’s brother-in-law and manager of the store, or the dead woman’s son? Or was the murder a woman, Beth Oliver or Eva Sutton, both of whom are more than just store clerks? And what does Mrs. Kelly know that has made her a target?
- GenresMystery Thriller
242 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1936
10 people want to read
About the author
Cortland Fitzsimmons
35 books4 followersMystery writer and screenwriter Cortland Fitzsimmons was born on 19 June, 1893 in Richmond Hills, a middle class Long Island neighborhood located in the New York City borough of Queens. He was the only child of Mattie Greensword Fitzsimmons. By 1910 his mother was a widow and the two were living in Brooklyn with a boarder named Charles Williams. Interestingly, Williams was a book seller, the same profession Cortland would follow after college. Cortland received his higher education at New York University and City College. Before turning to writing full time in 1934, he had been a successful salesman for book distributor Baker and Taylor and the American News Co. and later sales manager for Viking Press.
Cortland is primarily remembered as a mystery writer. In 1946 he collaborated with his wife, the former Muriel Simpson, on a cookbook entitled "You Can Cook If You Can Read".
Cortland Fitzsimmons died in Los Angeles on 25 July, 1949 at the age of 56. He was survived by his widow Muriel, who would follow him in death in 1957 at the age of 63.
Cortland is primarily remembered as a mystery writer. In 1946 he collaborated with his wife, the former Muriel Simpson, on a cookbook entitled "You Can Cook If You Can Read".
Cortland Fitzsimmons died in Los Angeles on 25 July, 1949 at the age of 56. He was survived by his widow Muriel, who would follow him in death in 1957 at the age of 63.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 25, 2020
Ethel Thomas is a wealthy and feisty 75 year old with decided views on many topics and hints of an interesting and unorthodox life.
Here, ownership of shares in a famous New York department store throws her into investigating a mystery which includes four murders and some attempted murder as well as financial and sexual "hanky-panky". There is a smattering of romance and some sharp dialogue.
Despite the short time frame, the plot is overly-drawn-out, hence 3.5 stars.
The novel was made into a film "The Longest Night"(1936) starring Robert Young. Unfortunately Ethel Thomas does not feature.
Here, ownership of shares in a famous New York department store throws her into investigating a mystery which includes four murders and some attempted murder as well as financial and sexual "hanky-panky". There is a smattering of romance and some sharp dialogue.
Despite the short time frame, the plot is overly-drawn-out, hence 3.5 stars.
The novel was made into a film "The Longest Night"(1936) starring Robert Young. Unfortunately Ethel Thomas does not feature.
July 6, 2020
An intriguing narrator and an eye for description, but a little drawn-out. I will read this author again.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews