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Mr. & Mrs. North #19
A Key to Death
When Pam & Jerry North go to see about making their wills, it seems to be merely a routine visit to a lawyer. But routine disappears when their lawyer, Forbes Ingraham, is found shot dead the following morning. He had been conferring with Matthew Halpern, a labor leader beset by a number of goons who were trying to pin a false rap on him. Reginald Webb, the sole remaining partner in the firm, is "advised" in less than polite terms to lay off Halpern as a client. Bill Weigand's investigation of the shooting involves two more associates of the firm, three ladies who work there, and a rather inscrutable one-time girl friend of Ingraham's. Murder and the Norths meet still once more before this dramatic case is tied up with a neat and clever surprise.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1954
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About the author
Frances Lockridge
95 books48 followersFrances Louise (Davis) Lockridge wrote popular mysteries and children's books with husband Richard Lockridge. They also published under the shared pseudonym Francis Richards.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 16, 2019
Early Bird Book Deal | Book 18 didn't bother with red herrings, and here book 19 is swimming in them. |
September 21, 2019
Legal eagles, mob boys, and bloodshed.
This doesn't sound like the kind of cozy crime the Norths are usually involved in, does it? And yet, Schaeffer, Ingraham, and Webb , Inc is a very sedate law firm specializing in legal services to the literary and entertainment world. Housed in a dignified old building, the firm consists of three senior partners, one recently deceased. There are two "associates" (junior lawyers), and three secretaries. "Office girls" in the popular lingo of 1954.
Doesn't seem like there would be much excitement, but anytime you have people working closely together there are complications and undercurrents. One partner is in love with another partner's widow. One is in love with a pretty, young secretary, who's in love with another one of the partners. Poor old Mary Barton, a widow nearing 60, isn't in love with anyone, but she's starting to be confused and make embarrassing mistakes. Soon someone will have to tell her she must retire and no one is looking forward to the task.
But the most serious complication isn't office hanky-panky, but a new client who's very far off the mark for this firm. Senior partner Forbes Ingraham has decided to represent labor union head Matt Halpern in a criminal case. Halpern is a rough diamond with a reputation of being devoted to the men in his union, but now he's been accused of stealing money from the till. He claims he's been set up by racketeers trying to take over the union. He's convinced that the mob boys are being protected by city politicians hoping for a rake-off. In New York City, such things have been known to happen.
Forbes Ingraham is an attractive,middle-aged bachelor and popular man-about-town. Jerry North knows him because he represents authors in copyright cases and both Norths have met him socially. At one party they meet him with Phoebe James, a successful writer of historical novels and Ingraham's close friend. Soon Mrs. James has an assignment for the Norths.
One of the interesting things about reading old books is the strikingly different feeling about ageing. People of 50 were OLD. No one questions why Mary Barton (not yet 60) is failing mentally. She's OLD and that explains it. When the attractive Phoebe James tells the Norths that she and Forbes Ingraham are in love, she does so with embarrassment. Back then, romantic love and sexual satisfaction were assumed to be the rightful property of the young.
Mrs. James has sought the help of the Norths because there's been a shocking murder at Schaeffer, Ingraham, and Webb and she wants to know who did it. Lt. Bill Weigand of the NYPD and his partner Sgt. Mullins are investigating, but Mrs. James doesn't trust them to find the murderer. Then the office is broken into and the safe rifled. Then there's a disappearance (assumed to be a kidnapping) and another murder. Lots of excitement for a quiet law firm.
Weigand learns that racketeers ARE involved in Halpern's case and they are pressuring the firm to stop representing him. Did Forbes Ingraham find evidence that implicates important people? Is that why he asked for a meeting with the D.A.?
Pam gets involved, of course. One woman is grieving, another is dead, and a third has been kidnapped. It's not a case where a conscientious person can sit on the side-lines. But things get complicated quickly and Pam finds herself pulled into the action too far, too fast, not knowing who she can trust.
This is a fine book in a excellent series. I didn't see the ending coming, but then I almost never do. I read old mysteries for their charm and wit and for the glimpse into life in a time now long past. It was a gentler time in some ways, but people were still motivated by love, anger, jealousy, and greed, just as they are today. If you like the Mr and Mrs North series, you shouldn't miss this one.
This doesn't sound like the kind of cozy crime the Norths are usually involved in, does it? And yet, Schaeffer, Ingraham, and Webb , Inc is a very sedate law firm specializing in legal services to the literary and entertainment world. Housed in a dignified old building, the firm consists of three senior partners, one recently deceased. There are two "associates" (junior lawyers), and three secretaries. "Office girls" in the popular lingo of 1954.
Doesn't seem like there would be much excitement, but anytime you have people working closely together there are complications and undercurrents. One partner is in love with another partner's widow. One is in love with a pretty, young secretary, who's in love with another one of the partners. Poor old Mary Barton, a widow nearing 60, isn't in love with anyone, but she's starting to be confused and make embarrassing mistakes. Soon someone will have to tell her she must retire and no one is looking forward to the task.
But the most serious complication isn't office hanky-panky, but a new client who's very far off the mark for this firm. Senior partner Forbes Ingraham has decided to represent labor union head Matt Halpern in a criminal case. Halpern is a rough diamond with a reputation of being devoted to the men in his union, but now he's been accused of stealing money from the till. He claims he's been set up by racketeers trying to take over the union. He's convinced that the mob boys are being protected by city politicians hoping for a rake-off. In New York City, such things have been known to happen.
Forbes Ingraham is an attractive,middle-aged bachelor and popular man-about-town. Jerry North knows him because he represents authors in copyright cases and both Norths have met him socially. At one party they meet him with Phoebe James, a successful writer of historical novels and Ingraham's close friend. Soon Mrs. James has an assignment for the Norths.
One of the interesting things about reading old books is the strikingly different feeling about ageing. People of 50 were OLD. No one questions why Mary Barton (not yet 60) is failing mentally. She's OLD and that explains it. When the attractive Phoebe James tells the Norths that she and Forbes Ingraham are in love, she does so with embarrassment. Back then, romantic love and sexual satisfaction were assumed to be the rightful property of the young.
Mrs. James has sought the help of the Norths because there's been a shocking murder at Schaeffer, Ingraham, and Webb and she wants to know who did it. Lt. Bill Weigand of the NYPD and his partner Sgt. Mullins are investigating, but Mrs. James doesn't trust them to find the murderer. Then the office is broken into and the safe rifled. Then there's a disappearance (assumed to be a kidnapping) and another murder. Lots of excitement for a quiet law firm.
Weigand learns that racketeers ARE involved in Halpern's case and they are pressuring the firm to stop representing him. Did Forbes Ingraham find evidence that implicates important people? Is that why he asked for a meeting with the D.A.?
Pam gets involved, of course. One woman is grieving, another is dead, and a third has been kidnapped. It's not a case where a conscientious person can sit on the side-lines. But things get complicated quickly and Pam finds herself pulled into the action too far, too fast, not knowing who she can trust.
This is a fine book in a excellent series. I didn't see the ending coming, but then I almost never do. I read old mysteries for their charm and wit and for the glimpse into life in a time now long past. It was a gentler time in some ways, but people were still motivated by love, anger, jealousy, and greed, just as they are today. If you like the Mr and Mrs North series, you shouldn't miss this one.
March 14, 2020
Rating 3.5 out of 5 stars This book is written in the classic, straight forward, cozy mystery style we know and love, unlike the more creative recent entries in the Mr and Mrs North series. However, the plot takes a couple of 360 degree turns I didn’t see coming and really enjoyed! There are suspects and red herrings galore. The one distraction in this book that made me want to yell in exasperation at the long buried authors - Pam North’s continuing reckless behavior. She is a grown woman who should know better than to go off on her own, or with a murder suspect, without telling anyone else where she was going! She really should know better since she works with the homicide police! Enjoy!
March 12, 2017
I am reading this classic mystery series chronologically. It is a fun series with a husband-and-wife team of amateur sleuths. This book is one of the best entries in the series.
January 19, 2018
Not my cup of tea
For some reason I couldn't get into this book. Too bad as there are several in the series. On to another book. So many to read and so little time!!
For some reason I couldn't get into this book. Too bad as there are several in the series. On to another book. So many to read and so little time!!
January 29, 2018
part of my re-reading of Lockridge, have really been enjoying being back in New York City with the Norths
March 29, 2021
A thoroughly unlikable villain!
November 28, 2023
Well-defined characters and a puzzling plot
February 20, 2024
Bit below the standard Mr & Mrs North.
February 7, 2017
Very complicated story... so many suspects and a beautiful twist at the end.
June 5, 2010
Outstanding book, more of a thriller than others. The North's decide to have a will made up. But before they can come to sign it, their lawyer of many years is killed. Lots of interesting characters that just come to life. Pam does an excellent job at catching a clue!
December 17, 2022
Lots of red herrings
March 31, 2011
literally a key but good misdirection
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews