Good debut, but flawed by the elaborate FW Crofts boring meticulousness. Very dated now, especially in its morality. These days a real rat is a drug dealer, not a 'smuggler'. My older friends now brag about all the black-marketing they did back then when they were in the occupation army in Germany. A classic in the lawyer setting, which is Gilbert's specialty.
Body is found mummified in a deed box.
This is what one could call a perfect murder mystery of the 'Golden Age'. Perhaps his best book. A totally satisfying story with a great courtroom trial. One of his best. Would make a marvellous movie in this sub-genre.