The Voice on the Wire

The narrative follows criminologist Monty Shirley as he assists the wounded Captain Cronin in pursuing a clever criminal enterprise that uses telephone trickery and scientific novelties to commit kidnapping and murder. Investigations thread through clubrooms, hospital wards, hotels, gardens, and subterranean searches, involving allies, a chorus girl, and rival detectives; Shirley stages experiments, traps and a double operation to expose a web of deception. The work blends puzzle-driven detection, technological gimmicks of the era, bursts of action and light comic relief as the sleuth unravels motives, identifies conspirators and brings the case to its conclusion.