Death breaks the ring

the long version

"Virginia Rath has, in the characers of Michael Dundas and his wife, Valerie, created as intriguing a couple as have appeared between the covers of a mystery story since the now historic The Thin Man ... In this story Valerie's plaguing and persistent desire to see more and better mountain scenery involves Michael in a chain of murder that leads from a mountain resort hotel to a dramatic conclusion at a fantastic costume party on a California ranch. Michael has no trouble ascertaining that both murders were the result of involved relationships existing amoung three San Francisco families." --