num_pages: 156
description: The body of Charlie Vail is found in the garbage dump behind the rural New England house in which he was temporarily living with the family of his Uncle, Morgan Cutler, Forest Manager for the Locke Paper Co. "Hideaway" house belongs to Mr. Locke. Who wanted Charlie dead? Why was the body half-buried on the dump? The four members of the Cutler household are Morgan, his wife Grace, and her children Lyman Shaw and Sarah Shaw. Four months prior to his death, Charlie was employed by Morgan as a seasonal worker in the wood lots. The job was given as a favor to Charlie's Mother, Becky Vail, who is Morgan's Sister. Charlie's job ended with the completion of the tree harvest. After receiving his final pay, he departed Hideaway on foot, carrying his suitcase, bound for the local bus terminal. Bill Locke has found the body three days later, while out on his usual morning walk. Noticing an unfamiliar mound in the sand that is spread periodically over the dump, he steps part way up the mound, and kicks the toe of his boot into the sand. To his horror and disgust, he has uncovered a human hand. The Coroner, John Goode, takes custody of the body and the autopsy reveals the cause of death is poison. Local law officer Sheriff Pat Brazel begins investigating. The investigation slowly reveals there are many disagreements among the members of Morgan's Family. Animosity toward Charlie abounds so there is no scarcity of persons to suspect of committing a crime.
language: English
title: The Heir Apparent
titlecomplete: The Heir Apparent
publisher: Denlingers Pub Ltd