What a disappointment. I’ve read a number of Barry’s books and was surprised how dull this one turned out.
The statuesque Signe Ericson is found murdered in her office at The Kilmer Foundation. A recent hire, Lyn Trainor is unconcious. A note is in her typewriter and a noose is hanging from the ceiling. Was it supposed to be murder-suicide? The note has astrological references since that was something Signe was really into.
Flashback. Lyn’s father wants her to get out in the world and sends her to New York. She stops into a brokerage firm and sees Michael Haydon. He’s a total sleaze. His brother Jesse is in his shadow and they can’t stand each other. He takes her to Martin Byers, the head of the Foundation. They collect Early American artifacts including books and anything else they can get.
The flashback lasts way too long as everyone is given a back story and when we’re brought back to the present it’s a feeling of “Who cares?” Suspicion of who killed Signe’s falls on Lyn.
If there’s anything clever about this book it is the real murderer’s alibi. The real killer is revealed a little more than halfway through. Overall, it’s a waste of time.
