Anne Austin's Murder at Bridge is a classic locked-room mystery from 1930 that still feels fresh and clever today.

The Story

The crime happens at a swanky bridge party. Judge Allen Shreve is found dead in his study, stabbed with a sharpened playing card. The only possible suspects are the four people he was playing cards with: his niece, his lawyer, a family friend, and a doctor. They all had reasons to want him gone. Detective Pat Abbott arrives and has to sift through their stories, uncovering hidden debts, secret romances, and bitter resentments, all while the clock is ticking.

Why You Should Read It

I love how this book plays fair with the reader. All the clues are there if you're paying attention. The bridge game isn't just a backdrop; the rules and the score actually matter to solving the case. The characters feel real—they're not just caricatures of rich snobs, but people with complicated lives. Detective Pat Abbott is a great guide: he's sharp but never showy, and you feel like you're figuring things out right alongside him.

Final Verdict

This is a must-read for fans of Agatha Christie or anyone who enjoys a puzzle-box mystery. It's perfect for when you want something intelligent but not too heavy, a story you can get lost in for an afternoon. If you like trying to beat the detective to the solution, you'll have a blast with this one.