Published in 1948, this story is set in New York, like most of the series. John Leonard is teaching a class on Experimental Psychology at Dyckman University. He has the students write term papers about one of the human emotions, and one student writes about hate. The paper is so intense, Leonard is concerned.
Leonard approaches Gerry North, who has published a book Leonard has written, to ask North to mention it to North's policeman friend, William Weigand. Leonard says the paper was written by Peggy Mott, who is the estranged wife of Tony Mott, a womanizer who has already got a new girlfriend, but isn't quite ready to let Peggy go.
Mott withdraws his backing from a play that was going to feature Peggy, and was written by Weldon Carey, who is also in Leonard's class. Leonard has been watching Peggy and Weldon, and is sure they are falling in love. With the hate that is described in the paper, Leonard is worried that Peggy might do something foolish.
When Mott is found dead in a restaurant he is a partner in, Leonard is afraid his worst fears have come true. The Norths become involved in the murder investigation, with Gerry trying to keep Pam out of trouble, and Pam just trying to help Weigand out.
I enjoyed this story for the most part, although there were parts I thought were perhaps a little wordy. Looking forward to finding and reading more Lockridge books.
This is part of my 2014 Vintage Mystery BINGO Challenge--Golden--G--Academic Mystery.
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