Kirke Field Mechem

The Strawstack Murder Case (A Frame for Murder) Kirke Field Mechem

Who killed Kansas oil man Ralph "Lucky" Loundon and disposed of his body in a strawstack outside Wichita, that "Peerless Princess of the Plains"? The list of suspects is large and includes some of the most prominent people in the city. Fortunately, the brilliant amateur detective Steven Steele is on hand to crack the case. With Bill, his old college friend (and ever-faithful chronicler), in tow, Steele is soon on the hunt for a clever and conniving killer. Steele's mettle is tested but in the end he catches his quarry-though not before another murder takes place! Originally published in 1936 under the title "A Frame for Murder", "The Strawstack Murder Case" offers armchair sleuths the opportunity to match wits with Steven Steele, the Philo Vance of the Great Plains. In addition to the baffling murder problem, readers also should enjoy the unique local color portrayed by author Kirke Mechem (1889-1985), the longtime Executive Director of the Kansas State Historical Society. Within these pages readers will find a massive oil well fire, illicit behavior of all sorts (ever heard of Jamaica Ginger?) and even a visit by our sleuth to a White Castle hamburger stand. If you never imagined that you might see a Golden Age Great Detective scarfing sliders, this assuredly is the mystery for you! This edition includes a detailed introduction by Curtis Evans, author of "Clues and Corpses: The Detective Fiction and Mystery Criticism of Todd Downing" and "Masters of the 'Humdrum' Mystery."