For I prefer beauty always a little soured. When it comes to me as a spoonful of syrup, I spit it out. Gilbert Hand hasn't been the same since his wife died. He's moved to a dull but respectable hotel where silence seems to brood in the hall and stairway. In a secret drawer he discovers a long, thick hank of human hair, and his world narrows down to two people - himself and the murderer. The Wakefield Crime Classics series revives forgotten or neglected gems of crime and mystery fiction by Australian authors. Many of the writers have established international reputations but are little known in Australia. 'The Wakefield Crime Classics series is marvellous ... a wonderful collection of writing that should not have been overlooked in this country in the first place.' - Terry O'Connor, Courier Mail