Frances Crane, from 1941 to 1965, wrote a series of twenty-six murder mysteries with colors in the titles starring franchise sleuths Pat and Jean Abbott. The Cinnamon Murder, eighth in the set, originally came in 1946, with this Bantam edition following in 1947, and tracks the Abbotts as they’re asked to a party by ethereally beautiful Brenda Davison, who turns up dead, her face bashed in. The murder seems to be over an inheritance, and various people in Brenda’s immediate circle have motives. All of it takes place among New York City’s chic Park Avenue echelon, a setting we guess was supposed to transport readers to places they could never afford, as well as provide an appropriate backdrop for the book’s wit. But we thought The Cinnamon Murder was strictly average in all respects. We won’t rule out reading Crane again, though. If we find something costing no more than seven or eight dollars we’ll take the plunge.
I don't know what that smell is, but it's making me crave snickerdoodles.