Mystery novelist Peter Cardigan prides himself on realism in his books. He has no time for exotic poisons or bizarre death traps-until he finds himself confronting murder in a locked room at a house party.

While discussing the mechanics of murder with Renny Pelham, a gunshot shatters the night. John Pelham is found dead in his library, while the doors and windows are secured from the inside and the murder weapon is lying on the floor. The catch? The door key has vanished into thin air.

Teaming up with his old acquaintance, Lieutenant Murphy, Cardigan must navigate a house filled with guests, secrets, and motives. In this well-crafted fair-play whodunit, every clue is laid out for the reader. But can a man of realism find a killer who simply vanished?

Monte Barrett (1897-1949) was a newspaperman turned author and cartoon writer. His popular newspaper comic 'Jane Arden' told the adventures of a plucky reporter as she investigated stories around the world, inspiring later characters like Lois Lane and Brenda Starr.

The Pelham Murder Case was published in 1930.