The Evil of the Day

Rizzi #1

by Thomas Sterling

What would you do if you got a letter from a friend inviting you to a deathbed party, with strong hints that you might become the heir of your wealthy host?

Cecil Fox's friends descended like scavengers on his elegant villa in Venice, drawn by a hoax that ended in murder. The ironical plotting, the excruciating suspense, and the astonishing but logical ending make this mystery story a modern classic.

217 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Thomas L. Sterling (* 1921; secretary, publicist, married to Claire Sterling - since 1951; crime writer, both lived in Rome for decades)

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad Inner Sanctum mystery from the 50s--nice, decadent atmosphere in Venice, and characters who may or may not be who they seem to be, which keeps one on edge for the entire book. The literary conceit behind the mystery is a little labored, and some of the characters only partially developed, but it's still a tricky, diverting read.