Hide and Go Seek / Going to St. Ives

Hide and Go Seek: Joan Pell checks into the Almeda, a quiet New York residential hotel, for a weekend trip, happy to be away from her government job in Washington, "typing and filing stupid routine reports." A gunshot from an apartment above soon sets her weekend on a very different path, as she becomes embroiled in the murder investigation of Lina Castle. Castle had registered under an assumed name, but Inspector Timothy Fowler clearly suspects others aren't telling the truth, either. Fowler takes Joan under his wing, but seems to be keeping a very professional eye on her. . . . One 1933 reviewer noted: "The plot is cleverly constructed, the book is neatly written and the end is a nice surprise. Could you ask for more?"

Going to St. Ives: Miss Belinda Stebbins teaches English at a very proper girls' college near Philadelphia. Arriving in Baltimore to accept an honorary degree (accompanied by her cat, Emma), Miss Stebbins is just in time to see a man run out of St. Ives' Cathedral into the street, where he is hit by a car. Taking refuge in the cathedral, she faints, reviving only to find herself in the presence of a corpse. What follows is a whirlwind of action and investigation. Miss Stebbins finds herself under suspicion, but with a certain New York police inspector in her corner, she might just find her way out. . . . From a 1936 review: "Colver Harris displays an ingenuity and a humor that will find her] a welcome addition to the mystery story writers."

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