
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER X
Natalie Spencer prides herself on flawless hospitality, but the evening’s dinner quickly reveals the cracks in her carefully ordered world. As guests mingle and a spilled coffee sparks a brief, awkward exchange, her husband Clayton watches her with a gaze that feels more like appraisal than affection. Around them, a cast of colorful women—Audrey with her daring green gown, the poised Marion, and the solemn Mrs. Haverford—add layers of gossip, rivalry, and unspoken expectations.
Beneath the polished surface, tensions simmer. Natalie’s need for control clashes with Clayton’s inscrutable ambition, while Audrey’s sharp humor masks a deeper restlessness. As conversations drift toward knitting and lingering drinks, a sense of foreboding settles over the drawing‑room, hinting that the night’s elegance may conceal more than just spilled coffee. Listeners are drawn into a world where social niceties mask hidden motives, and the characters’ polished facades threaten to crack under pressure.
Language
en
Duration
~11 hours (653K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by An Anonymous Project Gutenberg Volunteer, and David Widger
Release date
Apr 1, 1999
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1876–1958
A pioneering queen of American mystery, she helped shape the modern suspense story with clever plots, sharp pacing, and a talent for keeping readers guessing. Best known for The Circular Staircase and the play The Bat, she was one of the most popular crime writers of her era.
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