Quentin, Patrick as Jonathan Stagge - Death My Darling Daughters (1945)

Review by Xavier Lechard

Like the earlier Death Goes To School (written as Q. Patrick) but in a much sharper way, this outing of the good Dr. Westlake and his daughter blends mystery with satire. The book, however, fails to have it both sides. Clues are delivered in way too early and obvious a fashion, making whodunnit easy to work out for any reasonably attentive reader. As a satire, however, it works remarkably well, as the Stagges go to war against New England snubbery and narrow-mindedness. Those who (mistakenly) think Golden Age writers systematically endorsed standard values and behaviors of the time will have to read this book. Others will find a gallery of well-portrayed, engaging characters. The ending is very moving.