The Beautiful Stranger / The Missing Heiress

THE BEAUTIFUL STRANGER

When Jim McGowan brings his new bride home to his small mill town, no one knows what to make of her. With her dark hair and flawless skin, Terese is the most beautiful woman any of them have ever seen. It is as if Elizabeth Taylor had moved to town. So naturally, Lester Coleman, the town wolf, has to make his play. But Terese only has eyes for Jim, and doesn’t give Lester a moment’s thought. Which doesn’t stop the tongues from wagging-the jealous wives are quick to assume the worst about Terese. And while they worry about the new woman in town, the men debate the possibility of the union coming in. Everyone knows that Lester is a snitch for management. The situation is primed for disaster. And that is just what happens.

THE MISSING HEIRESS

Seventeen-year-old heiress, Virginia Forester, has gone missing. Has she been kidnapped, or is she just hiding out? The hunt is on, and all the newspapers run the story. So when a new couple show up at the Shady Dell trailer park, Mrs. Camarilla is suspicious. There’s a reward for Virginia’s return, and Mrs. Camarilla would like to be the one to receive it. But first she must deal with the problem of an old nemesis who pulls into the park with a new husband and a new identity. There may be a quick profit to be made here as well. When Mrs. Camarilla is found murdered in her trailer, the cops find their missing heiress. But the coincidence is more than Inspector Granger can allow. Only Virginia had something to gain by the death of Mrs. Camarilla-and that is exactly who he suspects.

Plus, “He Got What He Deserved,” Bernice Carey’s only crime short story!