Crime in Corn-Weather

This is a murder mystery originally published in 1935. Mary Meigs Atwater was the Dean of American Handweaving so Interweave Press reprinted her only published novel (it has nothing to do with weaving, though). While often sounding quite dated (including the sexist references to women despite the female author), the book actually seems quite modern in some aspects. There is a sly, wicked tone describing how the murder (or disappearance because the body is never found) of a small town man changes the town. People descend on the town, money is spent, people who would never have otherwise come in contact meet each other, a love affair is renewed, etc. In addition, "modern" aspects of living such as abortion are included (while the word is never actually used). I enjoyed the author's descriptions of a very, very hot summer, the corn growing all around this small town in the heat. You really had a sense of oppression and of things baking in this heat, coming to a head. This mystery features a twist that isn't really my cup of tea - the murderer is never revealed directly. You have to make your best guest using what clues there are throughout the book and at the end. While I wouldn't keep this book in my collection to read over again, I would still describe it as an enjoyable read. Pick it up if you want something different for your mystery reading.