
A hard‑nosed reporter is thrust into the glittering world of New York’s elite when a string of baffling murders bears the ominous signature of a “clutching hand.” The police are stumped, and his editor sends him after the head of the insurance firm that covered the victims, hoping to uncover a hidden motive. The investigation leads him to the opulent Fifth‑Avenue home of the powerful Dodge family, where wealth and privilege mask a deeper, more dangerous game.
Inside, he meets Elaine Dodge—a striking, modern debutante who balances tennis, tango, and a sharp wit with the expectations of high society. Her charm and curiosity make her both a potential ally and a tantalizing puzzle for the reporter, especially when a suave young lawyer, Perry Bennett, enters the scene. As the journalist pushes past polite resistance, the clash between the glittering social circle and the grim crimes outside promises a tense, cat‑and‑mouse chase that will keep listeners on edge.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (416K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-02-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1880–1936
Best remembered for creating Craig Kennedy, the “scientific detective,” he helped shape early American crime fiction with stories that mixed mystery, journalism, and new technology. His fast-moving adventures also spilled into silent-film serials, making him a bridge between pulp storytelling and the movies.
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