Ford, Leslie - The Town Cried Murder

The Town Cried Murder is written in the first person, from a southern lady's perspective in the earlier part of the previous century. Ms. Ford died in 1983, but her work is still popular – especially among the older generations who remember her and her delightful mystery tales.

The Town Cried Murder is about Williamsburg, Virginia, shortly after restoration to its original colonial opulence. Narrated by an individual named Miss Lucy – a white woman living in one of the old colonial houses restored by the 'Restoration' people, the novel opens with Melusina Yardley telling her that Melusina's niece, Faith Yardley, is going to be married to a man named Mason Seymour.

This wouldn't be shocking at all if it weren't for several facts: Mason Seymour is Melusina and Miss Lucy's age, came from a livery stable family and had since become immensely wealthy. He'd proposed marriage to both Melusina and Lucy when both girls were only about seventeen and (due to his humble birth) had been rejected. But once Melusina had learned of his new status, she'd claimed she had sacrificed the offer in order to remain at home and take care of her brother, Peyton Seymour, who was a doctor and Faith's father. Since Melusina wouldn't permit the Restoration to buy and redo Yardley Hall, she'd since used every means at her disposal to acquire enough money to refurbish it without giving in to that Yankee organization.

One of those methods was to use her niece as a pawn in order to bring money into the family – and Melusina always got Faith's affirmation by telling her it was something her father wished. Faith happened to love her father and would do anything for him, not knowing that Peyton was completely unaware of Melusina's machinations. So in spite of the fact that she had no love for Mason, and that he was way too old for her, Faith had agreed.

Enter a young man called Bill Haines, who falls in love with Faith at first sight. And as soon as he learns of the circumstances, Bill determines to save Lucy from such an unthinkable situation. Then Mason Seymour is murdered. Apparently he's been shot from outside, on the terrace with a shotgun through the open French doors. Suspected is everyone who visited Mason on that fatal night, including Lucy herself, Faith, Bill, Luton (Mason's butler), Talbot Seymour (Mason's brother, who was visiting), Lucy's cousin, Marshall, and even Melusina. Sergeant Priddy and Commonwealth Attorney John Carter Crabtree, both do their best to sort out the wheat from the chaff and discover who might be the actual one responsible.

It seems almost everyone has something to hide, even Lucy – who is afraid to tell the police that she saw someone at the old well on the Yardley Hall grounds the night Mason was shot. When she finally discloses her knowledge to Priddy and Crabtree, it opens the path to discovery of the murderer. The book ends with everyone living happily ever after – except perhaps Melusina or the murderer…

The Town Cried Murder, being one of Ms. Ford's earlier efforts, may be not as well known as some of her later novels featuring Mr. Pinkerton. It's interesting to note the reflection of changing attitudes occurring in her work as she progresses from 1927 to her death in 1983. Leslie Ford was an accomplished writer in her time, and the valued first editions of her books are still being sold over the Internet. If any of her work is available in your local library, mystery fans (unless you're dedicated to the so-called hard-boiled genre) are encouraged to read them.

Alan Paul Curtis