About the Murder of the Clergyman’s Mistress

In this classic detective novel, New York Police Commissioner Thatcher Colt employs cutting-edge 1930s forensics to solve the case of a reverend and a beautiful young woman found brutally murdered in the East River.

Following the spectacular murder of Reverend Timothy Beazeley and his mistress, the beautiful choir singer Evelyn Saunders, the people of New York are ignited in intrigue and speculation about who might be responsible for the monstrous tragedy. Evidence found at the scene presents a confounding riddle, reflecting a subtlety and technical accomplishment that borders on artistry. Meanwhile, rumors and speculation abound about those involved, with some saying that the perpetrators are too powerful and well-connected to punish, having simply paid off the authorities to look the other way. Little do they know, New York City Police Commissioner Thatcher Colt, through the medium of his private secretary, is already aware of who committed the murders. And why.

Presented for the first time since the sensational murders, About the Murder of the Clergyman’s Mistress reveals the real reason for inaction by the authorities, and just how Commissioner Colt unraveled this tangled snarl of intrigue. The whole story is laid bare, sparing no one in its account of this supposedly unsolved crime.

A treat for the fans.”
―Will Cuppy, Herald Tribune

One of the best detective stories of the season.”
―New York Telegram

Anthony Abbot (1893–1952), pseudonym of Charles Fulton Oursler Sr., was an American journalist, playwright, editor, and author of mysteries and detective fiction. He began his career as editor of The Music Trades and freelanced for a variety of publications. His short stories appeared in The Black Cat, Detective Story Magazine, The Thrill Book, and especially Mystery Magazine. Many of his stories, such as The Magician Detective, incorporate magicians and magic into the plots. Under the name Anthony Abbot, Oursler wrote several mysteries featuring the detective Thatcher Colt, including About the Murder of Geraldine Foster (1930), About the Murder of the Clergyman’s Mistress (1931), and About the Murder of the Night Club Lady (1931).

Introduction by Otto Penzler.