The Problem of the Wire Cage by John Dickson Carr, 1939

 

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About the author: John Dickson Carr (1906 – 1977) was an American author, who also published using the pseudonyms Carter Dickson, Carr Dickson, and Roger Fairbairn. He lived in England for a number of years, and is often grouped among "British-style" mystery writers. Most (though not all) of his novels had English settings, especially country villages and estates, and English characters. His two best-known fictional detectives (Dr. Gideon Fell and Sir Henry Merrivale) were both English. (excerpt from this Wikipedia article.)

Major characters:

• Hugh Rowland, a young solicitor
• Frank Dorrance, 22, a cocky ne'er-d-well
• Brenda White, 27, fiancée of Dorrance
• Kitty Bancroft, a widow, neighbor to Dr. Young
• Dr. Nicholas Young
• Madge Sturgess. former girlfriend of Dorrance
• --- Chandler, Madge's boyfiend, a music hall performer
• Superintendent Hadley, Scotland Yard C.I.D.

Locale: England

Synopsis: Two couples - Hugh Rowland/Kitty Bancroft and Frank Dorrance/Brenda White meet at the home of Dr. Nicholas Young to play a mixed doubles tennis game. Brenda and Frank are engaged. Brenda doesn't love Frank, but plans to marry anyway so they will inherit a pile from Jerry Noakes (Frank's adoptive uncle - now deceased). Noakes left a will with the condition the two must marry in order to inherit, otherwise it goes to charity. Meanwhile, Hugh is in love with Brenda; and urges her to give up on Dorrance and marry him instead - but she is cool to that idea. 

Dr. Young, injured in a recent car accident resulting in limited mobility, is inside the home while the couples play. He is entertaining his friend Superintendent Hadley, C.I.D., who is cautioning him about Dorrance's character. Dorrance had broken up with his former girlfriend, Madge Sturgess, causing her to attempt - but fail - suicide.

The couples hurry through their match due to expected rain. The storm arrives quickly, and they take shelter in a small supply shed adjacent to the court. When the rain stops, Dorrance is found dead in the middle of the tennis court - with only one set of footprints (his own) leading to his body. 

Review:

I just finished writing my rant about the lack of a sketch map of the tennis court, as it is a bit complex and described in the text in great detail, when I turned the page and found one on page 66! (first page of Chapter VI: Incredulity):