Murder at the Auction — Elizabeth Beatty

Louise Emerson travels to the picturesque countryside of Riverbury, Connecticut to help in the settlement of her brother-in-law's Uncle Timothy's estate which is due to be auctioned off. But a pall of suspicion hangs over the family as to whether Uncle Timothy's death had really been natural. With the assistance of a mother cat living in the old Parker mansion, Louise was able to solve a startling mystery - but not to prevent a murder at auction!

She was aware that the white-columned gabled colonial Jeff's Uncle Timothy had died in days ago - the oldest house she had ever seen - would bring high bids when it was placed up for sale, and she understood that the furniture from the old house was valuable Americana. But there wasn't enough money involved for Dr. Timothy Parker to have been murdered - nor to justify the atmosphere of tension and suspicion that hung over the family.