The Blackout

by Constance Little, Gwenyth Little

Murder strikes among an odd assortment of people living in a dilapidated mansin owned by a former ballerina in this wasky 1951 mystery.

Genres: Mystery

159 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1951

About the author

Jessie Constance Little (1899-1980) co-authored with her sister Gwenyth Little mysteries in the screwball-comedy fashion. The Little sisters are referred to as "queens of the wacky cozy." They were sometimes published as Conyth Little, a portmanteau of their names.

Their youngest sister Iris wrote under the pseudonym Robert James.

Constance Little married Lawrence Baker, a men's clothing designer for the Dubois Uniform Company in New York City.

Reviews

[Gypsi]

Two years ago, Joe Crolliz woke up in a hotel room with amnesia. Now, after seeing a house that tickles his memory, he answers an advertisement to be a companion to the blind owner, Madame Rose. As he spends time with her and the other residents, his past slowly returns, only to be filled with things he doesn't particularly want to recall.

Though the story was interesting and generally well-plotted, the Blackout lacks the sparkle, charm, and humor that characterizes the novels of the Little sisters. The various twists and surprises are quite good, however, and the tension buildup was nicely done. Overall, though, this is a rather forgettable book*, not quite in the same class as most of their earlier works, and, while not a bad mystery, is certainly not one I would recommend to new readers of the authors.

* To let you know just how forgettable, I will admit that I was on page 113 of this 159 page book before I realized that I had read it before.

[Peggy]

Didn’t enjoy this Little’s book as much as the others. An odd story and no characters I particularly cared for. Not quite as ‘screwball’ as the others.

[Kate]

For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...

[Susan]

This is a little different from most of the Littles' books, with less humor and more psychological suspense. John Croyden cannot remember important parts of his life, but somehow knows that the answers to his questions are in the mysterious old mansion on Morreonty Street. He knows that he has to remember what happened two years ago, but it's so painful and frightening when he tries. After he takes a job in the mansion, he can remember more, both about the house and the characters within it. And the reader realizes that John is not really a very nice character. Judging from some of the thoughts he's having, his desire for money may have led him to take drastic steps in the past.