THE BLACK SMITH (A Rue Morgue Vintage Mystery)

Lyons, Colorado, U.S.A.: Rue Morgue Press, 2005. 1st prtg. A fine, unread copy of this trade paperback originally published in 1950. When Judith took a job at a country hospital, she didn't expect her "reputation" would follow her. Or that "the Black Smith" would once again walk the corridors. The Black Smith is vintage Little, complete with a couple you just know will bicker all the way to "I do," a corpse that won't stay put, a cast of characters that would do any loony bin proud, and a closed setting this time a country hospital where the staff works, lives and engages in a little mayhem on the side. Judith Onslow took the job as head nurse to start life over again after she was named corespondent in a messy divorce, only to discover that the brother-in-law of her ex-lover is the doctor in charge of the hospital. Then there's Shirley, the new switchboard operator, who arrives looking just a bit on the trampy side and then proceeds to turn herself into Miss Prim and Proper. If these aren't enough ingredients to fuel a potent homicidal cocktail, toss in a doctor who drinks, an amiable playboy who's always hanging around, a birdlike woman who is the former head nurse, some demanding patients, one elderly doctor who's crippled by arthritis and another, even older doctor who likes to wander the halls of the hospital wielding a very sharp knife.. 1st Prtg. Pictorial Wrappers. Fine. Illus. by Pudim, Rob. Trade Paperback.