Cat's Paw

Inspector Kane #3

by Roger Scarlett, Curtis Evans (Introduction)

When a wealthy bachelor is murdered in his baroque Boston mansion, a bizarre clue holds the key to whodunnit

Martin Greenough’s walled-off mansion is the last remaining holdout in the Boston parkland known as the Fenway—and the fact that it eluded condemnation by the city is a testament to the elderly bachelor’s great wealth. Childless and nearing the end of his life, he surrounds himself with only his cat, his servants, and a friend, Mrs. Warden—to say nothing of the circle of extended family members whose lives he both subsidizes and rules from afar, the nieces and nephews who all seem to be more fond of Uncle Mart’s money than they are of his character.

On the eve of his birthday, Greenough requests the presence of his heirs at his home, insisting that he has something important to discuss. Before that discussion can take place, though, the man is murdered in his study. In one way or another nearly everyone there would benefit by his death, and none gathered seem terribly upset by it, so finding the culprit is no easy task for Inspector Kane of the Boston PD. But as he untangles the threads and unburies dark family secrets, the discovery of a bizarre clue might hold the key to solving the crime.

A classical “closed circle” mystery featuring a colorful cast of characters, Cat’s Paw exemplifies the puzzling, house-bound tales for which Roger Scarlett is remembered today. It is sure to delight any fan of pure, Golden Age detective stories—especially those with a love of architecturally-focused plots.

Includes discussion guide questions for use in book clubs.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Classics, Mystery Thriller, Golden Age Mystery, American, 20th Century

243 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1931

About the author

Roger Scarlett was the pen name of the Americans Evelyn Page (1902~1977) and Dorothy Blair (1903~1976).

Nothing is known about Blair, but Page seems to have written her own novel (The Chestnut Tree) and even made it to associate professor at several faculties at Connecticut College. Page & Blair's debut work as Roger Scarlett was The Beacon Hill Murders (1930), followed by The Back Bay Murders (1930), Cat's Paw (1931), Murder Among the Angells (1932) and finally In the First Degree (1933).
So, in only a couple of years, this duo wrote five books. But they stopped for some reason after that and the name Roger Scarlett seems to be totally forgotten nowadays.

Reviews

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This walked the line between puzzle and story very well for my tastes - interested in reading more from this author!

[Yelena Furman · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I discovered, Roger Scarlett is the pseudonym of Dorothy Blair and Evelyn Page, a same-sex couple who co-wrote a series of murder mysteries in the 1930s. The introduction to this novel uses the word "womanfully" to describe some of their actions.

4.5 stars, especially for the surprise ending (yes, they're all surprising in detective fiction, it's a genre requirement, but this one had a double twist at the end). It also has a cat named Lucy, who's a boy, so there's pet gender-bending here.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unconventional country house murder. Scarlett gives us the story in four parts. In the short prologue, we meet Underwood, a lawyer and Inspector Kane's Watson, who gives us a bit of background and tells us how Kane will come into the investigation. The next section, dubbed "The Evidence," shows us exactly what happened at the house of wealthy, elderly bachelor Martin Greenborough in the days leading up to the murder. We meet his extended family--nieces and nephews who are all dependent on Uncle Mart for everything. He holds the purse strings and expressly forbids them from finding other means of support. He doesn't mind doling out the money...on his own terms, of course. We also meet the essential staff--butler and valet--as well as Martin's "companion" (for which, read mistress), Mrs. Warden. We learn about the temperament of the old gentleman and his relations--who is greedy, who is a spendthrift, who has a quick temper, and who has a quick brain. Every interaction will be important to discovering the motive and the murderer.

As often happens in these country house mysteries, the domineering old man gathers his dependents around him for a birthday celebration. He also plans to deliver up a big surprise. A surprise that may well affect their future expectations (under any dispensations of a will). He announces his plans to marry and to meet with his lawyer "tomorrow." Now any good mystery fan knows that Martin is never going to see his lawyer...As a wrap-up to the birthday festivities, the relatives go ahead with a planned fireworks display and when the celebration is over, they all troop up to Uncle Martin's bedroom to find out how he liked them. But he's dead...shot though the temple...and apparently shot from outside the window during the fireworks.

The third section of the book, "The Case," follows Sergeant Moran and Officer McBeath as they take statements and follow up clues. Each time Moran thinks he's found his culprit, new evidence or a new statement comes along to make him rethink everything. By the time he's done, he can't see how he can pinpoint anyone as the murderer. Then Inspector Kane, just returned from a trip, arrives. He hears everything from his friend Underwood and immediately sees a glimmer of the truth. He follows up three clues: the note, the necklace, and the cards. And when he's thoroughly investigated those, he (and the astute reader) knows who done it and why.

I have to say...I was half an astute reader. I knew who did it. I should have known why (I had actually noted certain aspects that would point to it), but didn't really formulate it properly before Kane explained it. Overall, an interesting mystery, though I'm not completely sold on the way Blair & Page chose to set it up. I prefer to have my "Holmes and Watson" center stage for the whole investigation, bringing Kane in for just the last third-ish of the book doesn't suit me as well. But the murder and the motive is definitely well worth the read. ★★★ and 1/2

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portion of review. Thanks.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wealthy and slightly sinister Martin Greenough is getting old, but that doesn't lessen his hold on his niece and nephews, who have been raised to believe that they will inherit his fortune. The house party to celebrate his birthday is thrown into turmoil when he announces that he will marry his long-time mistress, and of course change his will. The greedy would-be heirs are upset, in their own ways, and show their true characters to each other (and the reader). When Greenough is shot, Inspector Kane is away on a vacation, so his minions collect the evidence, which he considers, again, along with the reader, before coming up with a complex solution to the puzzle. Correction: He comes up with two or three, the last one being the surprise ending.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...

[Lisa Kucharski · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is laid out in a very specific fashion. Kane (who is the detective) enters after a murder takes place. His friend recites the entire story as far as he can with as much detail as possible. This take half the book and is actually important to pay attention to. Then we follow Moran, the Police detective, on the scene and where he makes more discoveries and documents the crime scene. He is certainly put off kilter by the unconventional situation of the household in general. And then finally third! Kane comes onto the scene and narrows down the clues to focus on until- he rests upon the solution.

While this may sound rather mechanical; it certainly doesn't read that way. The first half builds up a group of adults who have grown up under the thumb of an uncle who has basically emasculated them from actually being adults. And their personalities are a bit twisted by this. He even has a mistress; which at the time of this writing, would be considered quite immoral. So the beginning- is quite an unsettling read- and not a surprise that the victim is the uncle. The second half is where you have to test your wits to try and untangle reality from well "distortion and hiding" reality from the police, Kane and members of the family. The fact that I told you this won't make it easier for you.

It's quite a trick to try and figure out who did it. And the entire story is made so you can give it a try. This story was reprinted recently so will be easier to find.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good locked room mystery from the 1930s but... I kept wishing it would hurry up and get to the good part (the investigation). The dead body doesn't make an appearance until the halfway point so the first half of the book is just a straight family drama with no investigation. It also does this thing where the genius detective has noticed clues that are never disclosed to the audience so then when the solution is revealed, it feels like a trick. In that way it's kind of Agatha Chritie-esque but set in the US.

[Trudy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what I needed.....a cozy "who-dunnit" to get me in my happy place. I have to admit - I judged this book by the cover..... I picked it up because of the black cat on the cover (I've got a black cat), and I'm so glad I did. I can only consider this a "classic" mystery (of course because IT IS). Limited number of characters - gathered together somewhere.....someone (or everyone) is a millionaire, and they're all at a mansion to celebrate something or other. This is very "British"... meaning everyone's so very polite - even when they're raging mad, or hysterical or in shock. There's fireplaces to be kept up, a library, a study, a butler and cocktails before dinner - in the dining hall. I almost don't need to give details....as in a classic mystery - you basically know what to expect....just different names and places, but - I'll give a rundown. Wealthy (and elderly) Martin Greenough - who lives only with his cat "Lucy" and his companion Mrs. Warden - has invited his nieces and nephews to his home to celebrate his upcoming birthday. Martin has no children of his own - so he considers his nieces/nephews to be his heirs. So at some point - Martin makes a big announcement, and everyone's shocked and appalled, and the butler is sent to prepare drinks - so they can all calmly discuss it all....because the British simply don't display their emotions. But you better believe they're all VERY upset. So ..... as expected - Martin is found dead, and here come the detectives to snoop around and deliver us to the grand finale - where everything is explained and the killer is named. The best thing about this little mystery - is it all came down to the cat's paw to solve the mystery! I always go back to a classic British or Victorian mystery when I'm in need of a cozy fix. I absolutely adored this.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average country house murder mystery with pretty good character development and a nice twist ending. You can both see why this book would have been popular when released, but also why it fell out of the limelight for so many decades. Uncle Mart and his family of nephews and nieces that he keeps yoked with his money that he doles out more as a display of power and control than of generosity is very reminiscent of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot's Christmas, although this book was actually published first. I think the reason that Christie's effort was more successful was because her puzzle building skills are incomparable. Scarlett succeeded in building rich characters, but the investigative element felt practically nonexistent. I never figure out the killer, so I struggle to determine whether or not it's fair play, but it seemed that other than small hints, the motive was not telegraphed to the reader. Overall, an enjoyable read, but I don't have any compulsion to read more books from this author.

[Susan Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A fun classic mystery from the 1930’s.

[Fran Irwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[EuroHackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was a fun, intricately-plotted vintage country house mystery of the "one old relative who runs roughshod over the rest of them dies suddenly with everyone in attendance" type. I more or less read it all in one sitting, and while I thought the ending was complicated just to be complicated (I wouldn't exactly call it "fair play" when the motive for whodunit isn't revealed until the literal last line), I otherwise quite enjoyed this.

It is one of five novels starring Inspector Kane, a 1930s Boston detective who has the uncanny ability to listen to the rundown of an entire case and pick out the threads that will lead to the killer. I very much enjoyed the structure of the book, in that it is a literal rundown of the events leading up to the murder and the investigation that was pursued before Kane returned from vacation. I understand is not like the others in the series, but I'm still interested in reading the other books if I can find them - this is the only one that has been reissued thus far in the American Mystery Classics series.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a well thought out book. I was impressed from page one to the end.
From page one on I was teased and promised of a murder in the near future. Once the murder was committed, then came the waltz of detectives to discover who the murderer or murderess was.
The story contained many little sub plots making the reader believe you knew just who the killer was.
"Oh no, that ain't the case".
I would recommend this book to all who enjoy a British type super sleuth.

[Leandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

↓ Similar Mansion Murders ↓
1. Claudia Gray’s The Murder of Mr. Wickham
2. Agatha Christie’s The Mysterious Affair at Styles
3. Ellen Raskin’s The Westing Game


Much mystery and awe surround Mr. Martin Greenough and his Bostonian estate. When he is discovered murdered on his seventy-fifth birthday with the mansion filled with his relatives, all benefiting from his death, the police call on Inspector Kane to untangle the events leading up to his birthday celebration. It soon becomes clear that no one is telling the truth, and no one is completely innocent.

I received Roger Scarlett’s Cat’s Paw as part of my monthly subscription with the Mysterious Bookshop. Each month, I am sent the newest addition to the Otto Penzler American mystery classics collection And, without fail, each package brings me such joy! Fun fact about Roger Scarlett: this is a pseudonym used by same-sex couple Dorothy Blair and Evelyn Page. The duo wrote five mysteries together, following the amazing triumphs of Inspector Kane. Cat’s Paw was my first experience with Kane, but hopefully not my last!

While I prefer my detective to be an active participant throughout the entire narrative, I respect Blair and Page’s nonconventional choice to only include Inspector Kane at the beginning (post-murder but pre-solution) and then at the end (with final interviews before the reveal). The middle section of the novel rewinds to the days leading up to the murder as guests arrive and tensions steadily rise. This design forces the reader to gather their own clues and deductions as Kane’s right-hand man, Underwood, narrates the events without interruption. In a way, I felt like I had stepped into the shoes of the detective rather than watching the mystery unfold through the eyes of a sidekick character.

For the most part, we as readers should come to our own solution before Kane steps in to reveal the culprit(s). In the book’s introduction, written by Curtis Evans, Roger Scarlett’s books became popular in Japan as “authentic” (i.e., fair play) detective fiction after World War II. And Cat’s Paw is no exception. The writers 100% play fair, and the solution is within reach of the reader. I can attest to this fact as I correctly answered the questions “Whodunnit?” and “Whydunnit?” With that said, I do believe there is a good level of complexity to this narrative. Everyone is a believable suspect with motive and lies galore, not to mention the red herrings carefully placed in our way.

My only critiques for this story are (1) the slow pace, and (2) I wanted more space devoted to Anne, the determined, money-savvy niece who took no sh*t from her ruthless uncle Martin. I definitely recommend this if you are in the mood for a mansion murder setting!

[Steve Wilkerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roger Scarlett is the pseudonym for the team of Dorothy Blair (1903-1976) and Evelyn Page (1902-1977) Cat’s Paw was first published in 1931; reprint published in 2022 by Otto Penzler Presents American Mystery Series .

(The use of the term "cat's paw" as "a person who is used by another to carry out an unpleasant or dangerous task" was new to me.)

This is a work from what is called the “Golden Age of detective fiction.” The protagonist is Norton Kane, Boston police inspector; other characters include his chronicler and narrator, Underwood, detective sergeant Moran and his gofer, McBeath. The story is that very wealthy and sadistically manipulative Martin Greenough has made his nephews and niece dependent on him, psychologically and financially: niece and nephew, George and Anne Pickering, nephews Francis, Blackstone and Hutchinson Greenough, Hutchinson’s wife Amelia, Martin’s mistress Emily Warden, and Blackstone’s fiancée Stella Irwin. After announcing that he will marry Mrs Warden and change his will, Greenough is murdered.

During the Golden Age, as detective fiction developed into a recognizable and distinct genre, the emphasis was on creating a puzzle for the reader to solve. Plotting is therefore complex and very tight. The characters are well developed through good dialogue so the reader is given reasons to suspect all of them. Of course, Kane’s deductive and observational skills exceed those of Moran, the police sergeant, so at the end he reveals how he is able to identify the killer.

It’s a very well done, enjoyable mystery, a nice treat from today’s standard murder mystery where there is more emphasis on police techniques or, in the case of amateur detectives, fortuitous discoveries.

[Jason Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a classic whodunit which reminded me quite a bit of the film “Knives Out” (in some ways, a bit uncomfortably so). If I am being honest, I partially chose this book because Roger Scarlett was a pseudonym for Dorothy Blair and Evelyn Page, who were a writing team that also happened to be a couple (purportedly, the first lesbian couple to write mysteries). I have been trying to read more female authors this summer, and I was interested in seeing how these authors might tackle a story published in 1931 during the depression. As I read this, I found myself really enjoying the characterization of most of the characters, but interestingly, mostly the men, who are by far, the most developed. I am slowly becoming more and more of a subscriber to Barthes’ “The Death of the Author” - if I didn’t know that the authors were female, would I have read this book differently? But, all that being said, overall, I really enjoyed this book. I guessed the murderer fairly early (it was between the actual murderer and one other character), there was a plot contrivance/deus ex machina towards the end (relating to the title of the book) that really didn’t play fair, blood doesn’t seem to travel as it should, and the authors’ Poirot-like character doesn’t actually show up until the very end of the book, and the ending is abrupt. Yet, I still found that I rather enjoyed the majority of this book. The characters were pretty vile individuals, but given the setting, their fear of becoming destitute and cut off by their rich cousin/uncle makes perfect sense. This is for fans of Agatha Christie, and I am definitely going to read their other four mysteries that they wrote together.

[Pharmacdon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cat's Paw is a book in the American Mystery Classics series. One rich uncle doles out just enough money to keep his nephews and niece dependent upon him. The uncle announces he is going to get married, thus leaving the relatives out of the loop of the money and perhaps the inheritance.
It's not difficult to figure out who gets killed, but it isn't easy to figure out who did it. In fact, the murderer isn't revealed until the last sentence. The murder occurs more than halfway through the book, so there is time to get to know the characters better, who are also the suspects.

They had watched the growing spectacle he shaped about his life and habits. His death was the end of the spectacle, the nature of it a stunning and, in a sense, fitting climax to all that had gone before. They were shocked and repelled, but they could not show sorrow over the death of the man who had been so far removed from them.
The morning was not made easier by the fact that they all shared a common thought and certain common speculations. There was not one of them but realized that the course of his life had been changed overnight, not one of them but caught the reflection of his own thought in the faces of the others. The fear that by word or gesture they might let slip these inner workings of their minds kept them scrupulously aloof, while in secret they fed upon the thought of possible tomorrows.

[Darius Ostrowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A golden age detective story with a very classic premise, what raises this is the meticulous attention to detail by the author(s) and the unique presentation - the book is divided into four parts, the detective is only present for the last part.

This is an American version of the classic country house murder: cousin Marty runs his family through his money, they all despise his control, he despises their weakness. He calls everyone to his house for his birthday, where he announces that he is going to see his lawyer tomorrow about changing his will.... hmmm, could someone in his family not be thrilled about being cut off? Yep, and so cousin Marty is murdered.

Plenty of motive, plenty of red herrings. A nice diversion.

[Kidlitter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A DRC was provided by Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and feline-loving review.

A thoroughly unsympathetic murder victim, a chilly bunch of suspects defined by one or two characteristics - the smooth charmer, the ambitious cheat, the volatile rebel, etc. and several females who don't make up a whole person between them - if you can stick with all of that, you'll enjoy this well-constructed, fast-paced read which is worth rereading just to see how Inspector Kane figures it out. My favourite character was the Lucy the cat, hope there would be more for him (not a typo) to do, but at least the cover features Lucy on the prowl!

[R. C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This edition of Cat's Paw is found in the Otto Penzler series of American Mystery Classics. Like many in the series, it offers a good mystery in itself, with a viable cast of suspects and a brilliant detective. It is particularly interesting as a relatively early example of the mansion mystery, with a closed circle of suspects linked around a bound-to-be-murdered victim. I kept thinking of other such mysteries I've read, but still failed to settle on the killer until a page or two before the reveal. A good book; an even better series of classic mysteries for fans of the genre.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story with lots of twists and turns. I suggest reading it within a week so it is all fresh in your mind. That will help you remember what happened and who was where when it comes time to solve the crime. This is a shining example of what happens when the authors make assumptions for the reader based on what is given as evidence. We accept these things as fact and do not look beyond what we are given as truth.

I also had a hard time placing this in Boston. I mentally kept switching to British accents.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat's Paw was a fun read.
It hit all my buttons. The writing was first rate, very linear and so well orgaized.
The mystery, although, not unique...rich uncle murdered in mansion filled with relatives, was so well written that one eagerly read along to see what happened next.
The ending, told with taut revelation.

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic golden age mystery with lots of twists, red herrings, and complicated family relationships. One of the classic tropes of a wealthy man who controls his heirs with money announces something important that will change the will and then he dies. The reader can figure it out but only with a close eye on the clues. But which ones are important and which ones aren't?

I enjoyed it.

[Winterwhisper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic style mystery rather like an American-style Agatha Christie. Definite structure that gives all the clues and I did figure out a few of the red herrings. It is quite fun to match wits with the detective and the authors. Good classic mystery plotting.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally enjoyed this, the murder takes place pretty late in the book and the resolution happens so fast it’s pretty unsatisfying. But the vibes are kind of Wuthering Heights in the 1940s? I like the interesting characters and was hooked through the second half.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely tangled whodunit among the wealthy in Boston. Better characterizations than Christie, though about 40 pages overwritten. I also question some of the murder logistics, though I really like that the killer’s name is held until the last possible moment.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved it! This is a must read!

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This very well written vintage mystery has an interesting setting, peopled with cold, calculating, utterly unlikeable characters.

[Morgan D'Arcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this-happened across this in the library. I found this very easy to follow and the reveal was fun even though I had mostly guessed it.

[♡ Maya K. M. ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*