As far as the police were concerned, Andy Rowan was guilty of murder. As far as the jury which heard his trial was concerned, Andy Rowan was guilty of murder. As far as New York City homicide detective Oscar Piper was concerned, Andy Rowan was guilty of murder. All of which may explain why Andy Rowan found himself in New York State's notorious Sing Sing Prison awaiting a date with the electric chair in just nine days' time. It certainly appeared as if only two people believed in Andy's innocence, and one of them was Andy himself. Fortunately for him, the other person was New York City schoolteacher (retired) Hildegarde Withers. The story of her race against time to prove Andy Rowan not guilty of murder is told in Stuart Palmer's book, The Green Ace, first published in 1950. It's the subject of today's audio review on the Classic Mysteries podcast, and you can listen to the complete review by clicking here.
Maybe Stuart Palmer had it right when he described his central character, Hildegarde Withers, as a "meddlesome old battleaxe," but Andy Rowan may wind up being grateful for her meddling. While Andy Rowan has said very little to anyone about his trial and conviction – except to repeat that he did not commit the murder – he has found a way to try to force the hand of the New York City police force by writing a new will, in which he leaves a healthy sum of money to chief homicide inspector Oscar Piper – but only if the inspector will reexamine the case AFTER Rowan’s execution and find the real killer. Inspector Piper hears of this bequest and is appalled – in fact, he blurts the story out to his good friend (and frequent sparring partner over murder cases), Hildegarde Withers. For both the inspector and Hildy know that if Rowan is executed, and his will with that bequest becomes public knowledge, the newspapers will probably have a career-ending field day. But while the inspector remains convinced that Rowan is indeed guilty, Hildy Withers is not. She launches herself into a new, private investigation of the case despite the fury of Oscar Piper – and when she begins to learn some interesting (and hitherto unknown) facts that cast considerable doubt over Andy Rowan’s guilt, it doesn’t take long for a new murder to complicate matters. It will take some more startling developments, the usual assortment of twists and turns – and a final confrontation with all the major suspects – for Hildy to wrap up the case (with, to be sure, considerable help, even if it is reluctant help, from Inspector Piper).
It’s all done with wit and charm, a whole collection of interesting and rather unusual suspects, and of course the added tension provided by the execution clock ticking away in the background, counting down to Andy Rowan’s date with the Sing Sing electric chair. The Green Ace, by Stuart Palmer, is, I think, a fine example of Withers and Piper at work – and at odds – together.
By the way, if you're a fan of Hildegarde Withers - and I admit I am - please look at the next post here on Classic Mysteries - you'll find my old review of another Miss Withers mystery, The Puzzle of the Silver Persian. I think you'll enjoy both these books.
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