First published in Britain in 1949, Brand's exuberant novel is still
regarded as one of the great masterpieces of the classic mystery genre
for its fiendishly constructed puzzle, memorable setting, dumbfounding
acts of misdirection and thrilling denouement. This edition includes an
introduction by award-winning author Martin Edwards.
"A very neat version of the 'sealed room' mystery... provides [Miss
Brand] with excellent opportunities to indulge her sense of character
and her pleasantly malicious wit, as well as her gift for posing an
ingenious problem."
-Times Literary Supplement, 1949
At Elysian Hall, a grand exhibition space in post-War London, a cast has
been assembled for a medieval-themed pageant show replete with knights
in colored armour, real horses, and a damsel in a rickety tower on high.
With death threats discovered by members of the troupe before the show,
the worst comes to pass when the leading lady is thrown from the tower
before the eyes of the audience by an unknown assailant--with all doors
backstage also under observation. Faced with a seemingly impossible
case, the wizened Inspector Cockrill and the fresh-faced Inspector
Charlesworth begrudgingly join forces to uncover the killer hiding in
plain sight.
