A Case of Doubtful Death

Frances Doughty's later case involves a missing man.  An orderly at a mortuary, the young man had gone missing the night of his employer's death.  Had some misfortune occurred or had he been waylaid on his way home?

A letter sent to the deceased from Germany may have some possible connection to the case, but how will Frances find that out?  And who is the mysterious Dr. Darscot?  It turns out that he is actually a mister and had lent the dead man some money.  Later, it appears to Frances that the victim had been embezzling funds from the mortuary.

Although Frances was not having any success locating the missing man, her notoriety was having the added benefit of bringing her more cases.  As her investigation continues, she becomes sure that the dead man was being blackmailed.  Then she is of the opinion that the dead man really isn't dead, rather that another man is inside the coffin, maybe the man who is missing.  She requests to see the body.  They proceed to The vault at Kensel Green Cemetery.

There seems to be more mysterious activities going on at the mortuary than Frances had originally thought.  Who is really behind all of it and why?

Author Linda Stratmann has weaved a tale that is most confusing yet intriguing.  A good read.