The Pattern

Murder rocks the boat for a woman at a lakeside resort in this classic from a Mystery Writers of America Grand Master, “one of America’s favorite writers” (Mary Higgins Clark).

“Mignon Eberhart is one of the great ladies of twentieth-century mystery fiction.” —John Jakes

There is a lakeside summer colony outside of Chicago where old-money families come to get away from it all and enjoy some fun in the sun on private islands. Sadly, heartache has kept Nan Bayne away from the revelry. Three years ago, her fiancé Jerome Cable dumped her out of the blue and married Celia. But now, Nan is back, staying on Tredinick Island. Meanwhile, Jerome and Celia are on nearby Haven Island, and whether Nan likes it or not, she must soon face her past . . .

When Nan meets Jerome on the beach, he explains he still loves her. Their broken engagement was due to Celia’s deception, and he wants to divorce her and marry Nan. When Celia refuses, Nan rows to Haven Island to confront her but doesn’t see her anywhere. The next day, Celia is discovered dead in a canoe, and Jerome has vanished.

Celia was a vixen and rotten to the core. Anyone could have wanted to kill her, but Jerome and Nan certainly have the motive. With vacationing detective Jacob Wait now on the case, the two love birds must prove their innocence or else their second chance at love is dead in the water . . .

“Mignon Eberhart’s name on mysteries is like sterling on silver.” —The Miami News

Originally published in 1937 and also reprinted as Pattern of Murder.