On the verge of a second marriage, a divorcee discovers her first husband has returned, and murder ensues in this chilling tale, which the New York Times Book Review hailed as "one of the most ingeniously constructed mystery stories John Dickson Carr has ever told" After divorcing her husband, Ned, Eve Neill falls in love with banker Toby Lawes and quickly agrees to marry him. But news of the engagement brings Ned back, intent on reclaiming his bride, whatever the cost. The price of passion proves too high when a dead body is found-and beside it, the shattered fragments of a snuff-box that once belonged to Napoleon. These fragments tell two tales, one true and one false. And in order for Eve to know whether her future holds a white bridal gown or a black hangman's cloak, she will have to trust that an expert in criminology will be able to force the evidence to tell the truth and point out the real murderer.
"A bang-up puzzle, good writing, wonderful characters, sly humor. Maestro Carr at his very best."
The Saturday Review of Literature
"A superb story written by an expert."
The New Yorker
"Mr. Carr can lead us away from the small, artificial world of the ordinary detective plot into the menace of outer darkness. . . . Every sentence gives a thrill of positive pleasure."
