That nice Miss Smith

the long version

Published in 1957 and long out of print, this inconsequential addition to the Classic Crime Series resurrects the 1857 case of Madeleine Smith, daughter of a prosperous Glasgow architect who was accused of poisoning her lover, Emile L'Angelier, an impecunious clerk from the island of Jersey. The development of the affair is traced largely through Madeleine's letters, which show a relationship that began casually, grew torrid, then quickly cooled. Shortly thereafter Emile died of arsenic poisoning. Madeleine was arrested, suspected of killing her lover who may have been blackmailing her over the indiscreet letters. A jury found that murder was not proved. In this stodgy treatment of the case, Morland concludes that the nice Miss Smith was probably guilty. Illustrations. from Publishers Weekly