Night Freight Murders — Robert Fleming

Night Freight Murders, first published in 1942 (and also known as Murder Comes to Dinner), is a fast-paced noir murder mystery featuring private investigator Simon Crole. Crole is attending a lavish dinner banquet attended by all the notables of the Los Angeles Police Department. One of the city's outspoken P.I.'s is giving a speech in which he makes some serious allegations regarding the integrity of the police force; during his speech he is shot and killed. Robert Fleming was a pen name of Robert H. Leitfred (1891-1968), a prolific author of mystery, detective, and pulp novels.