A treasure of a mystery novel The New York Times Book ReviewA distinguished book San Francisco ChronicleThe only timeout for catching your breath in this story of brooding terror is when antic humor cracks the gloom The New York TimesDid she jump or was she pushed When Ruth Millers broken body is retrieved from the pavement below her New York City room everyone assumes that her sevenstory drop was a suicide leap almost everyone that is One of the young department store clerks customers suspects foul play hiring detective Mark East to take a close look at the boarding house and its residentsHope House a Home for Working Girls provides a haven for young women who are barely scraping by in the Big Apple But the sanctuary is haunted by Ruths sudden departure and after a second violent death the lodgers begin eyeing one another with suspicion As the tension builds Easts investigation receives an unexpected assist from Beulah Pond and Bessy Petty spinsters whose amateur sleuthing adds comic appeal to this atmospheric and suspenseful whodunit