Frances Davis Lockridge (1896-1963) and Richard Lockridge (1899-1982) were journalists known mostly for their Mr. and Mrs. North mysteries. Some two dozen books about publisher Jerry North and his wife Pam with their good friend Lt. Bill Weigand of the New York City police were released between 1940 and 1963, the year that Frances died. Richard Lockridge let the series end there and focused on stand-alones and other series characters for the rest of his writing career.
The Dishonest Murderer (Lippincott, 1949) is the thirteenth book in the series. It opens late on New Year’s Eve as Winifred Satterbee Haven, known as Freddie, prepares to greet guests on behalf of her father, Vice Admiral Jonathan Satterbee, retired career Navy officer. She’s worried about her fiancé Senator Bruce Kirkhill, who was traveling from Washington to join her at the event, where their engagement was to be announced. She thinks she saw him earlier in the day on the street but realizes it was only a glimpse and that she could easily be mistaken. However, Kirkhill has not arrived and has not called to let her know where he is.
Soon after the new year is rung in and the party disbands, Freddie learns that Kirkhill is dead, uncharacteristically found in a rundown neighborhood in shabby clothes. Rumors of under-the-table deals and backdoor agreements about some of the senator’s legislative initiatives begin to swirl, to Freddie’s great dismay. She appeals to Pam North for support, and Pam’s sympathy is aroused. Of course Pam and Jerry pass everything they learn to Bill Weigand, who is investigating the murder.
Pam’s leaps of logic and intuitive flashes are on full display here but what struck me the most is how little the Washington, DC, political scene has changed since this book was written 70 years ago. The backstabbing and wheeling and dealing as described are no doubt taking place on Capitol Hill right now. Lockridge’s experience from his tour in the Navy is front and center as well. His mysteries don’t often include members of the military service but when they do, they seem to all be in the U.S. Navy.
The plot is classic Lockridge with the usual surprises in the last couple of chapters. I am not a great fan of the North series, I like the Heimrich books better, but this New Year’s Eve mystery is surprisingly current, considering its age, and highly readable.