Murder on Wheels was originally published in 1932, and is the second of the Hildegarde Withers mysteries.
The story opens with a traffic accident, but there isn't anyone driving the car. A witness says that the driver jumped backwards out of the car, and is laying in the street a block or two away. He is found with a rope around his neck, and died because of a broken neck.
Inspector Oscar Piper is called to the scene, and his friend, Hildegarde Withers, soon appears. They had been involved previously in an investigation, and this time Withers and Piper become involved in a competition to see who can solve the mystery first.
There are several twists and turns in the story, and it is based on an unlikely premise, but is still quite entertaining. The story involves twins, love triangles, an overbearing grandmother, deception, and an old, swearing, and ugly parrot.
I enjoyed this story, and will continue to read more in the series.
This is the 13th book I've read for the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013
This book fulfills requirement #19 Planes, Trains & Automobiles category of the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013
This book also fulfills a requirement in the 2013 A to Z challenge. Title--M.
read March 17-18, 2013
Glad you enjoyed this one, Marj. I've always enjoyed Palmer's books; Hildy is an endaring character, even if the author did refer to her as a "meddlesome old battleaxe." She and Piper made quite a couple!
ReplyDeleteI just found the Hildegarde books, this is the second I've read. I agree, they are quite a couple! Thanks for the comment.
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