The Links in the Chain

“The Links in the Chain” (1948) is a detective novel by John Rhode (Miles Burton), featuring his recurring character Lancelot Priestley, focusing on the intellectual, deductive puzzle typical of Golden Age mysteries. We begin with the death of Mrs. Fransham in her London service flat, who dies after consuming a meal that is later found to be poisoned with digitalis. Scotland Yard initially suspects her husband, Charles Fransham, who was away at the time of her death. With the assistance of Dr. Priestley, the investigating officer (often Superintendent Hanslet or Jimmy Waghorn in this series) is able to prove the death was a long-premeditated murder.