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At least five people wished Gavin Dordress, the playwright, dead the night of his ill-starred party. It was that night Gail Garrett and Bea Townley quarreled openly for the leading role in his new play-which no one had read. The next morning he was found shot to death, a chessman imprinted on his forehead, and nearby a letter of farewell that sounded suspiciously like one of his stage characters speaking. The police called it suicide. But Cynthia Dordress and Lee Mappin called it murder. For weeks suspense rode high. Then a new and amazing clue sped a seemingly hopeless hunt to a thrilling finish. The Death of a Celebrity was published in 1938.
About the author
Hulbert Footner was a Canadian-born American writer known primarily for his detective fiction. Born on April 2, 1879, in Hamilton, Canada, he later moved to the United States, where he built a successful writing career. Footner's works often featured detective stories, but he also authored a range of non-fiction pieces. His ability to craft engaging narratives and intriguing mysteries earned him a dedicated readership. Footner s writing was marked by an interest in suspense and intricate plotting, particularly within the detective genre, which made him a notable figure in early 20th-century crime fiction. In addition to his fiction, he explored various other literary forms, including travel and adventure writing. Footner passed away on November 25, 1944, at the age of 65, in Lusby, Maryland, leaving behind a legacy of influential works in detective fiction. His contributions to the genre helped shape early American mystery literature, and he remains remembered for his distinctive storytelling style.
