Yet for him the city had a charm all of its own... After all, under its gaiety and brilliance Vienna has always been a centre of intrigue.

On a bright autumn morning, Superintendent Macdonald boards the plane bound for Vienna to visit his old friend Dr. Natzler. His detective’s eye notes some unusual passengers including Elizabeth Le Vendre, new secretary to the diplomat Sir Walter Vanbrugh—but this is supposed to be a holiday. After arriving with the Natzlers and crossing paths with Elizabeth again, Macdonald settles into the trip as best he can, determined to relax for once. 

But when Elizabeth is reported missing and a string of violence and murder encircles Vanbrugh and Natzler’s social set, Macdonald’s short-lived stint as a tourist comes to an end—and the race to stop a killer on the loose begins.  

First published in 1956 and steeped in the turbulent history of post-war Vienna, this edition ushers E.C.R. Lorac’s characteristically atmospheric classic mystery back into print for the first time since its original publication.

Publication date:10/11/2024

Author: E. C. R. Lorac

Brand: British Library Publishing

Number of pages: 240

Binding: Paperback

Dimensions: 190 x 130 mm