Miles Witherall is a retired officer manager, living with his niece and her husband, Betsy and Steve Damon. They’ve bought the old Cole house in Skakat and renovated it. It still lacks phone and road access so boat is the main link. A neighbour is causing interference in getting the services. The Damons have noticed that the locals are anti-social and that there is a feeling of being watched with a feel of threat in the air.

Steve is a writer currently working on an autobiography of Rosalie Ray, the radio star. It’s not easy or enjoyable, but the money will be a big plus to their finances.

Things start happening when Miles takes a bus ride home instead of the train, from a day trip to Boston. He winds up stranded on the road when the driver claims the engine is dead and goes off to make a phone call. The driver never returns, but Miles is picked up by one of the locals.

When Miles gets home, he is greeted with the Damons being upset due to Rosalie has made an unannounced appearance with plans to spend a few days. Something Steve has no need of — a demanding diva under his roof. To make things worse, Rosalie is found dead in her bed the next morning.

Advice is given to get Asey Mayo involved before things get worse…which they do. Asey’s knowledge of the people and area and past life experiences make him the best man to be around.

Another book in the Asey Mayo series that was written in the 1930s. A fun cosy read with a cast of characters. ( )

not my favorite in this series ( )

In this story a young couple move into an isolated house in a marsh on Cape Cod and find themselves unaccountably unpopular with their new neighbors, especially an unpleasant newly rich woman named Mrs. Barr and her son Waddy. .In due course Asey Mayo is called in and a murder occurs. ( )

A duplicate of a mystery I like well enough to keep two copies of. I like most of the Mayo stories for their humor and New England setting. ( )