MARCH TO THE CALLOWS

This spankingly fresh talent written way ahead of the genre and possibly out of the usual audience (Miss Kelly's first- The Spoilt Kill-won the British equivalent of the Edgar), is a transcript of the thoughts of Hester Callard as She observes her next door neighbors, the Leyburns, and some ill-assorted activities: the theft of a medallion, a memento of her dead lover; the murder of a Negro; an obscene phone call and a vicious letter; and eventually-- the scent of poppies. All of it's as sharp as a switchblade.