Murder In Silverplate (Five Star First Edition Mystery Series)

Rating:
Summary: engaging who-done-it
Review: Standard Silver manufacturing firm is shook when Production Manager Frank Antonelli is found dead amongst the equipment. Murder occurred because it is impossible to have either an accident or commit suicide due to safety features. Detective Walter Henderson heads the initial official investigation, but knows he will be removed from the case because his estrange daughter Vicki Sanders is the Quality Control Manager at the plant.

As Walter interviews everyone who could have had the opportunity to kill Frank, no one stands out with a motive though the old time manager was crusty and opinionated. Not long after Frank's death, someone murders company President Ed Cantrell, who was modernizing the business at a rapid rate. Over the objections of her father, Vicki makes inquiries with the help of another manager Mark Ross even as the police wonder if the homicides are the work of two different killers with the second indirectly encouraged by the seeming success of the first.

This engaging who-done-it starts as a fabulous police procedural in which Henderson leads the questioning of several folks including his daughter, but after the second homicide turns more into a wonderful amateur sleuth. Fans of both sub-genres will enjoy the investigations as Walter cannot hide his impatience with several of those he questions and with his beloved daughter for leaving her husband. Vicki is also a fantastic individual as she investigates the crimes along side Mark. Though the final twist comes from out of nowhere, readers will gain immense pleasure with this solid murder investigative tale.

Harriet Klausner