Murder Underground: A British Library Crime Classic by Mavis Doriel Hay

She was on her way to the dentist when she died.  Someone strangled her.  She was a wealthy woman.  Who didn't want to wait for their money?

Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published November 1st.

"Pongle" as she was called, was not a particularly nice lady.  Every time she got angry at her nephew, she changed her will.  She has a dog she makes other people walk.  She hides things in her room.  She is just generally difficult.  But who would murder her?  Most just barely tolerated her!

It's long drawn out investigation in which several things come to light.  The nephew pawned her pearls to get some funds and he's trying to hide that.  The niece's boyfriend walked the same stairwell she died in.  One of the underground workers got caught up in a burglary and had a broach he had given his girl.  Pongle found out about it and confiscated it.  It was in her pocket book and Bob gets accused of the murder.

While all this dirty laundry is dug out and flashed about, the cops are on the wrong track.  There's another snake in the grass that no one suspects.

This is a bit like a cozy mystery.  You get very involved in everyone's life and see them with warts and all.  They band together, even lie for each other and despite that, the crime gets solved.  This was an entertaining read with a hard mystery at its core.