THE NIECE OF ABRAHAM PEIN

A variation on mystery novels, in this story of the trial of a refugee Jew, whose race and religion, in a prejudiced New Hampshire community, stacks the cards against him when the disappearance of his niece puts him on trial for murder. Though there is never a body, little can be turned up that helps his case, the few friendly minded neighbors are unable to swing the issue from bigotry to real justice, and Pein's chances grow slimmer and slimmer on biassed evidence. Pein's winning play, of the appearance of a niece, is trumped and, in the end, Pein gets the death penalty, which later is shown to be the gravest injustice. Controversial situation as a plot.