Cat's Paw

By: Roger Scarlett, Curtis Evans - introduction

Brought to you by Penguin.

When a wealthy bachelor is murdered in his mansion, a bizarre clue holds the key to whodunnit…

Nearing the end of his life, the wealthy Martin Greenough hides away behind the high walls of his grand mansion in Boston, with only his cat and his servants to keep him company.

One the eve of his birthday, he requests the presence of his heirs at his home, insisting that he has something important to discuss. Shortly afterwards he’s found murdered in his study. All of the guests would benefit from his death, so finding the culprit is no easy task for Inspector Kane. But as he unravels the family’s dark secrets, the discovery of a bizarre clue might hold the key to solving the crime.

Cat’s Paw is a classic mystery, first published in 1931, which is sure to delight any fan of Golden Age detective stories.

© Roger Scarlett 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Critic reviews

"Distinctive characters people the vividly detailed Greenough mansion. This reissue is another gem in the American Mystery Classics series."

"A classic closed-circle mystery, perfect for fans of Golden Age house-bound tales and house movies such as Sleuth and the recent Knives Out, which has a similar plot. This latest entry in the American Mystery Classics series might inspire an evening spent playing Clue."