Between 1931 and 1959 Edith Caroline Rivett (1894–1958) published more than 70 mysteries under the names E. C. R. Lorac and Carol Carnac. Nearly all of the E.C.R. Lorac titles, about 45 of them, feature Chief Inspector Robert MacDonald, a Scot on the London police force. Some of her books have been reprinted as part of the ever-growing British Library Crime Classics series, and her short stories appear in several British Library anthologies.

Case in the Clinic, the 20^th outing with MacDonald, was originally published by Collins in 1941 and reprinted by Ramble House in 2013. The Ramble House edition has an informative introduction by the late Richard A. Lupoff, the versatile book critic and author of science fiction, mystery, and nonfiction.

The story opens at a clinic outside London run by an osteopath, a sort of chiropractor or physical therapist held in disregard by traditional medical physicians. James Falkland is staying there for treatment of a knee injury that defied conventional approaches. Major Grendon, another patient, corners Falkland to tell him about the sudden death of a Reverend Anderby, who dropped dead while visiting a neighboring home in front of the Major, Anderby’s wife, and their host. Grendon is obsessed with Mrs. Anderby, who was a nurse until her marriage and whose elderly patients died far too often after leaving the nurse a legacy in their wills. Grendon is convinced she murdered her husband. Falkland cautions Grendon about slander, but he’s appalled at the notion that the nurse has gotten away with multiple murders.

Grendon continues to confide his belief that Anderby was murdered by his wife to anyone who will listen. No one takes him seriously as Reverend Anderby was standing alone in Gordon’s garden when he died, in full view of several people. Until the night that Grendon is found dead in his gas-filled room. At that point, with one clear murder and a second suspicious death, the local police decide to bring in Scotland Yard.

Chief Inspector MacDonald is not happy to have a more or less cold case handed to him. Nonetheless, he reviews statements and autopsy reports and interviews a number of witnesses, saving the newly widowed Mrs. Anderby for last. Upon visiting her boarding house, he learns that she took flowers to her husband’s grave and has not been seen since, adding a missing person to the mix.

This story is deviously plotted. I had no idea who did it until the reveal at the end, although cases were credibly made for three different suspects along the way. MacDonald continues to be one of my favorite Golden Age police detectives. He’s competent and personable while lacking over-the-top affectations common to detectives of the genre. His books are a good way for fans of contemporary police procedurals to sample the Golden Age genre. Unfortunately the Ramble House edition of this title has enough typos to be distracting. Otherwise I found this book to be a smoothly written and engaging read and recommend it highly.