Blood upon the Snow A Mark East Mystery

"Miss Lawrence creates horror atmosphere with good skill, the hard way, with a light touch that leaves no brush marks. A few snowflakes, the mere suggestion of sinister sound, the barest hint of screaming silence, and the reader's hackles come away from his collar." — The New York Times Book Review
"Smooth handling by East — and the author." — Kirkus.
Private detective Mark East arrives at Crestwood, an elegant estate, to serve as a private secretary to archaeologist Joseph Stoneman. At least, East is supposed to be a secretary. Mr. Stoneman's nervous manner suggests that he's actually in need of a bodyguard. The estate's other residents—including a troubled hostess who confines herself to her room and a strangely solemn child — contribute to the fearful atmosphere. After a snowstorm completely isolates the estate from outside contact and the occupants start dying under mysterious circumstances, East must identify the murderer before it's too late for the entire household.
A selection of the Haycraft-Queen Definitive Library of Crime

American mystery writer Hilda Lawrence (1906–1976) published her first book, Blood upon the Snow, in 1944. Its commercial success inspired two more novels featuring detective Mark East, A Time to Die and Death of a Doll. Her other books include The Pavilion and a collection of novellas, Duet of Death.