Episode of the Wandering Knife (The Hilda Adams Mysteries Book 3)

Three mystery tales from Mary Roberts Rinehart, whose work The New York Times noted for "the combination of love, humor and murder that she wove into her tales." The Episode of the Wandering Knife: A mother attempts to hide a hunting knife after her daughter-in-law is slashed to death, fearing it will implicate her innocent son. The weapon reappears as evidence in a second murder, then disappears again. A deadly game of hide-and-seek with the knife ensues as the true motive behind the crimes remains unclear. The Man Who Hid His Breakfast: A woman is found strangled in her bed, with her daughter Emma the only other person in the house. Though Emma has clear motive to escape her domineering mother, Inspector Tom Brent is convinced of her innocence—and his career depends on proving it. The investigation centers on an unusual breakfast. The Secret: Hilda Adams, the Homicide Bureau's undercover operative known as "Miss Pinkerton," investigates Tony Rowland's strange behavior. Tony has abruptly ended her engagement to a man she loves, crashed her car, and now keeps her elderly mother locked in her room. The question remains: does the Rowland family fear Tony, or is Tony herself afraid of something?