Silence for the Murderer by Freeman Wills Crofts

“Silence for the Murderer” is a 1949 Inspector French mystery by Freeman Wills Crofts about a blackmailed ex-soldier, Frank Roscoe, who gets involved in a swindle with a woman named Dulcie Heath, leading to the suspicious death (ruled suicide) of Roscoe's wealthy invalid employer, prompting French's investigation into complex criminal plots, swindles, and potential inheritance schemes. The novel is known for its intricate plot, early reader challenge, and a departure from Crofts' typical formula, with more character focus and a delayed appearance from French, culminating in an "amazing twist".