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The Fifth Dagger
"Diana Blakeley, engaging young narrator and perceptive amateur sleuth of this deftly plotted and swiftly moving story, began having trouble at the first evening party given to her and her doctor husband after their return from their honeymoon. One of the doctor's patients, a lovely but neurotic young girl, insulted Diana and slapped her face.
When Diana discovered that this girl had for some time been 'on the make' for Allen Blakeley and had tried her best to force him into matrimony, she knew she had made a bitter enemy. But when this girl, Diana, and Allen attended the same dance it was not the worried Diana who suffered.
The 'favors' at the dance were tiny daggers, quite un-lethal affairs...except for one! And that one, expertly wielded on the dim dance-floor, ended the tortured life of the girl who in her twisted way loved Allen Blakeley but could not win him.
Inspector Donnegan of the Boston police force superintended the manhunt that followed, a hunt that was complicated by another baffling murder ... also done in plain view of a number of people. But it was Diana who really solved the slayings, and the way she did it comprises a tale well filled with action, puzzlement, and shrewd detecting."
When Diana discovered that this girl had for some time been 'on the make' for Allen Blakeley and had tried her best to force him into matrimony, she knew she had made a bitter enemy. But when this girl, Diana, and Allen attended the same dance it was not the worried Diana who suffered.
The 'favors' at the dance were tiny daggers, quite un-lethal affairs...except for one! And that one, expertly wielded on the dim dance-floor, ended the tortured life of the girl who in her twisted way loved Allen Blakeley but could not win him.
Inspector Donnegan of the Boston police force superintended the manhunt that followed, a hunt that was complicated by another baffling murder ... also done in plain view of a number of people. But it was Diana who really solved the slayings, and the way she did it comprises a tale well filled with action, puzzlement, and shrewd detecting."
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1947
10 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Quick
58 books6 followersDorothy Quick was an American writer. She befriended Mark Twain in her childhood and he encouraged her to become a writer.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 4, 2018
The Fifth Dagger was a really good book. Solid 4.5 stars but I think I have to round this one down for Goodreads.
I LOVED Honora. Every description of her, every scene she was in, holy crap - she stole the show. And she was supposed to, that was the whole point of her character. The writing around her was masterful. Her scenes were inspirations.
The plot started out at medium speed but then got really interesting, and I think this book is one of those rare ones where the middle is the best part. When it started ending I was kind of disappointed because I felt it could've gone on for much longer and still been interesting. The ending wasn't bad but wasn't as thrilling as the middle. I loved the secret life reveal at the end.
This was Dorothy Quick's first novel-length book and I think it showed. The writing was a little weak at times and it felt like a cross between a short story and a longer book. It was a great read though and I'd definitely look for more of Quick's work.
I LOVED Honora. Every description of her, every scene she was in, holy crap - she stole the show. And she was supposed to, that was the whole point of her character. The writing around her was masterful. Her scenes were inspirations.
The plot started out at medium speed but then got really interesting, and I think this book is one of those rare ones where the middle is the best part. When it started ending I was kind of disappointed because I felt it could've gone on for much longer and still been interesting. The ending wasn't bad but wasn't as thrilling as the middle. I loved the secret life reveal at the end.
This was Dorothy Quick's first novel-length book and I think it showed. The writing was a little weak at times and it felt like a cross between a short story and a longer book. It was a great read though and I'd definitely look for more of Quick's work.
Displaying 1 of 1 review