Vicious Circle

Liz Parrott #2

by Manning Long

Lis Parrot, an ex-artist's model, had never met her husband's relatives, and was not particularly keen to do so.
So when the peremptory summons to a family Christmas came, she didn't want to go -- from all that she had heard about his family, it was hardly likely that she would be particularly welcomed in view of her "past".
Nor was she welcomed, in spite of all her efforts to please them. Perhaps that was one reason why she felt such a liking for another--and--even more unwanted wife--Ruth, who arrived in time to upset dinner on Christmas Eve.
And when Ruth died, horribly and alone, of arsenic poisoning, it seemed that only Liz mourned her--only Liz really cared if the murderer were brought to justice...

Genres: Christmas

185 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1942

Reviews

[Sharon Healy-Yang]

Manning Long's Vicious Circle is another wise-alecking mystery romp with smart-talking gal Liz Parrott, her sharp husband Gordon, and her savvy Siamese, I-Am. This time out, the Parrotts' first Christmas is torpedoed when Gordon receives a mysterious telegram calling him to his aunt's estate up the Hudson River to spend the holidays with the family who raised him. Liz faces disapproving and eccentric relatives, a scheming ingenue who might have her sights on Gordon, a charming and handsome n'er-do-well family friend, a temperamental cousin and unlikely author, and an unexpected and inconvenient wife. Before you can choke down a poisoned brandy - or maybe when you do- murder rears its ugly puss and Liz finds herself in danger of being a new victim. Parrot (avian that is), cat, or human, no one is safe from the relentless murderer - until the end. Plenty of twists and turns, interesting characters, and a believable sense of place here.