The Late Mrs. D. — Hillary Waugh

An interesting crime and deduction tale set in early 1960's Connecticut. -- Dr Donaldson's pretty young wife, Celia, has died at home. The cause of death: a liver abcess. -- At least, that is the opinion of the two doctors who attended her during her brief illness, but someone disagrees with the good doctors. An anonymous note suggests that there is some skullduggery afoot.

Police chief Fred Fellows becomes involved when the coffin is exhumed, and an autopsy identification reveals that Celia's body has been replaced with another corpse. When the correct body is located in another's grave, and an autopsy is performed on the corpse of the heavily insured Mrs. Donaldson, the actual cause of death is poison. The autopsy also reveals that Mrs Donaldson had recently recovered from an illegal abortion.

The obvious murder suspect? Her twice widowed husband. But the police investigation soon flushes out a few additional possibilities. Are Dr Donaldson's patients correct in their reading of the Doctor's character? Is he too fine and compassionate to have done such a dire deed?

This is a good solid police procedural with an entertaining courthouse trial denouement. A satisfying who-why-how-done-it.