The Rope Began To Hang The Butcher.

C. W. GRAFTON

Publication: Farrar & Rinehart, Inc, 1944, New York

First edition. Label affixed to the of the front pastedown sheet that says "From the Library of Sue Grafton." Laid-in is a typed letter on Sue Grafton's stationery that says: "April 1, 2020 / This letter is to certify that the enclosed book(s) are from the personal library of author Sue Grafton and was obtained directly from her estate. / Steven Humphrey (Sue's husband of 43 years)." This edition published during World War II in accordance with paper conservation orders of the WPB. Cloth covers light soiled else a near fine copy in dust jacket with a small chip to head of spine and light wear to the foot of spine and corners, and a light vertical crease to the front and rear covers. A legal mystery in which Gilmore Henry, lawyer and trouble-shooter, is just out of the hospital and his very first client hands him a case that involves the mysterious disappearance of David Matthews, a broken engagement, a lawsuit, and three unknown corpses in one day. 20th Century Crime & Mystery Writers Third Edition p. 458 says, "one of the very best Gardner-style novels not by Gardner himself.. Henry's fancy footwork would do Perry Mason credit, and the courtroom scenes, absent from the first book, serve to focus interest better than additional action scenes would. The plot, involving real estate and insurance finagling, is equally complex but worked out more efficiently." An elusive title and the second of three mysteries by Sue Grafton's father.

Inventory Number: 49199