Originally published in 1932
For Sale-Murder
is a unique mystery thriller in that it is apparent from the start that the person responsible for the deaths is guilty and then it proceeds to attempt to accomplish capturing the guilty suspect in the end.
It starts with a brief newspaper item of a scheduled speech by Dr. John Agnew at a medical conference, in which the speaker claimed that science has advanced to a point where murder can be committed, leaving no traces. A year goes by-and Louis Carver, chief adjuster for Trans-Pacific Life Insurance Co. becomes suspicious when the company receives an unusual number of claims for deaths of persons with large value policies. Detective James Macintosh and Reporter Richard Quantrell Marlow notice the death certificates are signed by Dr. Agnew. Is he committing murder for hire?
No sooner do they begin inquiring into the death of the last victim, Henry Slater, when Mrs. Frey, invalid patient of Dr. Agnew, is found murdered in her bed. She had been providing a room for her maid, unstable neighbor Annie, who staged a fake attack upon herself, and screams a lot.
More of Dr. Agnew's patients drop off-Charles Stone and his associate Dr. Richardson Cornwall-while their beneficiaries collect large sums. Can Dr. Agnew be stopped?
is an interesting "police procedural" that looks for clues, no matter how small to try and catch the would-be murderer before another victim is mysteriously assailed. With pulse-quickening suspense and a chilling atmosphere, William Levinrew crafts a tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the final page.