title: Women Sleuths (Academy Mystery Novellas)
author: Margaret Cole
description: The first volume in Academy Chicago's Mystery Novella series, this collection contains four generally disappointing works. Each has an interesting plot, but with the exception of Mignon Eberhart's "Calico Dog," the key to the storyand any hint thereofis held back until a rather dry summation at the end. Characterization also drags down the work: the three stories from the '30s feature sheltered, prudish womeneven Eberhart's private eye Susan Dare, who feigns independence, is saved by her boyfriend. Muller's "Broken Men," the sole contemporary story, is less stereotypical, but suffers again from a construction that excludes the reader from involvement. December<br />Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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  ![cover](images/sleuths.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Vol. 1 : Women Sleuths
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **G.D.H. and MARGARET COLE,** _The Toys of Death_
  
  
  An engaging “little old lady sleuth” reminiscent of Miss Marple
  
  
  solves a baffling murder on the south coast of England.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **MIGNON EBERHART,** _The Calico Dog_
  
  
  
  
  
  Susan Dare accepts what is certainly “an invitation to murder”
  
  
  when she gets involved with conflicting claimants to a large
  
  
  fortune.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **CORNELL WOOLRICH** , _The Book That Squealed_
  
  
  
  
  
  A defaced library book, kidnapping, and murder all figure in this classic
  puzzler, which is solved by librarian-detective
  
  
  Prudence Roberts.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **MARCIA MULLER,** _The Broken Men_
  
  
  
  
  
  San Francisco investigator Sharon McCone undertakes the
  
  
  job of guarding two famous participants in a clown festival,
  
  
  and gets involved in homicide.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • ISBN 0-89733-157-5
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Academy Mystery Novellas
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Volume 1
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  WOMEN
  
  
  
  
  
  SLEUTHS
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Academy My