{"product_id":"the-woman-in-the-alcove","title":"The Woman in the Alcove","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThis classic mystery novel narrates a murder case that takes place at a wealthy New York social ball. The gorgeous socialite Mrs. Fairbrother is stabbed to death in a secluded recess (the alcove), and her legendary priceless diamond vanishes. The protagonist Rita, a young nurse engaged to gem dealer Anson Durand, witnesses key clues and becomes tangled in the investigation.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInitial suspect: Anson Durand, who was the last person to speak with the victim before her death. After the murder, Mrs. Fairbrother’s gloves—with the diamond hidden inside—are found in Rita’s handbag, planted by the panicked Durand to avoid suspicion. Evidence like bloodstains on his shirt further incriminates him, and he is arrested on murder charges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRita’s private investigation: Convinced of her fiancé’s innocence, Rita notices a distinguished English statesman Mr. Grey acted abnormally around the diamond at the ball. She digs up hints: a family banshee wail linked to his bloodline, a unique antique stiletto used as the murder weapon bearing his family crest, and a cryptic warning note sent to the victim before the killing. Rita takes a nursing alias to infiltrate Mr. Grey’s household and care for his ill daughter, hoping to uncover proof against him.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNew breakthrough for police: Detectives trace a mysterious steward Hiram Sears, who works for Mrs. Fairbrother’s millionaire husband Abner Fairbrother. Sears bears an obsessive, unrequited love for Mrs. Fairbrother, and he secretly hired a man named Wellgood to pose as a waiter at the ball. While tracking Sears, officers discover Abner Fairbrother faked his illness and fled west under his steward’s identity to avoid scrutiny.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTruth revealed: The real killer is Abner Fairbrother. He once stole the rare \"Great Mogul\" diamond from Mr. Grey in England, then commissioned a fake paste replica. Enraged by his wife flaunting the stolen gem and defying his orders, he disguised himself as waiter Wellgood, snuck into the alcove and murdered her. He swapped the genuine diamond with the fake one on-site to shift blame, and used ventriloquism to mimic his family’s cursed wail to distract others. After the crime, he hid out in a remote coastal town, planning to escape by boat. When confronted by Mr. Grey, he confesses to the theft and murder and surrenders the real diamond. Durand is fully exonerated, and Rita reunites with him.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Nite read","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44392917762136,"sku":null,"price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0709\/5998\/8824\/files\/ChatGPTImage2026_7_18_00_28_50.png?v=1784305738","url":"https:\/\/www.niteread.com\/products\/the-woman-in-the-alcove","provider":"Nite Read","version":"1.0","type":"link"}