Murder by the clock
"Murder by the Clock" by Rufus King is a detective novel written in the late 1920s. The story centers around Mrs. Endicott, who fears for her husband Herbert's safety and calls upon the police for assistance, leading to the discovery of a dead body in his room. As the narrative unfolds, Detective Lieutenant Valcour investigates the circumstances surrounding the murder, including the strained relationships and hidden secrets that could provide motives for the crime. At the start of the story, Mrs. Endicott is consumed with anxiety over her husband, whom she suspects is in danger due to his involvement with a mysterious woman named Marge Myles. As she expresses her concerns to Lieutenant Valcour, tension builds when his investigation reveals various clues, including a threatening note and evidence of a struggle. The chilling discovery of Herbert's body in the cupboard escalates the urgency of Valcour's investigation, leading to intricate examinations of marriage dynamics, potential motives for murder, and the shocking twists that lie ahead as the night unfolds.