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In Connecticut, Clearman Court has been renovated by its current owner, Stephen Clearman. An unusual character, Stephen has a penchant for wearing strange masks which he believes will be enough to protect him from the curse which is rumoured to have been placed upon the house – prophesising that death will come to anyone who dares make any changes to the ancient home. Sure enough, Stephen is found dead in a locked room not long after, and his daughter Lulie has vanished. Detective Tony Barron is brought in to investigate. A classic murder mystery from popular author Carolyn Wells.

Carolyn Wells (1862-1942) was a prolific American novelist and poet, best known for her children’s literature, mystery novels and humorous verse. Following school in New Jersey, Wells worked as a librarian, where she developed her love of reading. It was during 1896 that Wells' first book ‘At the Sign of the Sphinx’ was published. From 1900 she dedicated herself to her literary career, writing over 170 novels in total across a range of genres. Some of her most loved works include the ‘Patty Fairfield’ and ‘Marjorie Maynard’ series for girls, as well as the ‘Fleming Stone’ mystery series for adults. Wells is also well-known for her humorous nonsense verse, and was a frequent contributor of verse to magazines. She published an autobiography ‘The Rest of my Life’ in 1937. Wells died in New York City in 1942.