The Case of the Two Pearl Necklaces

Book excerpt: The Case of the Two Pearl Necklaces, first published in 1936, is a classic British 'golden-age' murder mystery. The book, authored by A. E. Fielding (whose real identity remains itself somewhat of a mystery), features Scotland Yard's Chief Inspector Pointer who is called in to investigate a mysterious murder on a large estate. From the dustjacket: Arthur Walsh, son and heir of a very wealthy father, Colonel Walsh, shatters the complacent lives of his parents by his declared intention of marrying Violet Finch, daughter of “the notorious Mrs. Finch,” owner of several nightclubs. Arthur's wedding gift to Violet is two strings of very valuable pearls, said to have belonged to Queen Charlotte of Mexico and to have been sold because they brought bad luck to their owner. The pearls fully justify their evil reputation, for they bring sudden death, and present Chief-Inspector Pointer of Scotland Yard with one of the most baffling murder mysteries of his eminently successful career.