The Man in the Queue - Couverture souple

Inspector Alan Grant searches for the identity of a man killed in the line at a theater and for the identity of the killer—whom no one saw. A long line had formed for the standing-room-only section of the Woffington Theatre. London’s favorite musical comedy of the past two years was finishing its run at the end of the week. Suddenly, the line began to move, forming a wedge before the open doors as hopeful theatergoers nudged their way forward. But one man, his head sunk down upon his chest, slowly sank to his knees and then, still more slowly, keeled over on his face. Thinking he had fainted, a spectator moved to help, but recoiled in horror from what lay before him: the man in the queue had a small silver dagger neatly plunged into his back. With the wit and guile that have made Inspector Grant a favorite of mystery fans, the inspector sets about discovering just how a murder occurred among so many witnesses, none of whom saw a thing.

Outside a London theatre, a throng of people wait expectantly for the last performance of a popular musical. But as the doors open at last, something spoils all thought of entertainment: a man in the queue is found murdered by the deadly thrust of a stiletto...

'Inspector Alan Grant, my favourite detective of all time, painstakingly, fascinatingly identifies the body then chases suspects up to the Highlands of Scotland and all around the town' Daily Express

'Josephine Tey has always been absolutely reliable in producing original and mysterious plots with interesting characters and unguessable endings' Spectator

'All the Tey magic ... Superb!' San Francisco Chronicle