THE BACKWARD REVIEWER
William F. Deeck


PAT McGERR – Death in a Million Living Rooms. Doubleday Crime Club, US, hardcover, 1951. Paperback reprint: Macfadden 75-281, 1969. Collins Crime Club, UK, hardcover, 1952, as Die Laughing.

PAT McGERR Death in a Million Living Rooms

   Since television is becoming a big business, Enterprise magazine plans a major takeout on the new medium. A small part of the story is assigned to Melissa Colvin, a researcher. Her interest in TV centers on the announcer of the “Podge O’Neill” program. Convinced he embarrassed her during their college years, she wants to pay him back.

   As appears to be usual with comedy teams, one member is the idea person. In this case it’s Scottie, Mrs. Podge O’Neill the first, who discovered Podge, made him what he is today, picked his second wife for him, and rules the program with an iron hand.

   All involved with the program are trying to wrest Podge from Scottie’s control to further their own careers. Since ordinary persuasion isn’t working, a roller-skating “accident” occurs, but it’s merely a temporary setback to Scottie’s reign. Then the sponsor’s product, a beverage, is spiked with nicotine, and a death takes place in full view of the studio and home audience.

   A fair-play mystery that will appeal to readers who enjoy show-business settings, particularly those who are interested in the early television years. Not McGerr’s best work, but still very good, despite The Crime Club most misleadingly putting it in its “Damsel in Distress” category.

— From The MYSTERY FANcier, Vol. 11, No. 4, Fall 1989.


Editorial Comment:   For more about Pat(ricia) McGerr (1917-1985), see the review of Pick Your Victim (1946), one of her earlier books, to follow immediately. Please stay tuned!