The Unsuspected by Charlotte Armstrong is a classic mystery novel, originally published in 1945. The story follows Jane, a young woman who is investigating the supposed suicide of her best friend Rosaleen. Rosaleen was found dead in a soundproof room, and although the police believe it was a suicide, Jane is convinced that her friend was murdered.

In order to prove her theory, Jane takes a job working for Luther Grandison, Rosaleen’s boss, who is a well-known theatrical impresario in New York. Jane believes that Grandison was responsible for Rosaleen’s death because Rosaleen had written to her about Grandison’s unethical behavior, including stealing money from his adopted daughter’s account when he needed it.

As Jane becomes more involved in Grandison’s life, she discovers that he is a charming and charismatic man with a dark side. She also begins to suspect that he is involved in the deaths of other people, including a former employee who fell to his death from a balcony during a party. The more Jane investigates, the more dangerous the situation becomes, and she must race against time to uncover the truth before it’s too late.

The characters in the novel are well-developed and believable, and the plot is cleverly constructed. The story is told from multiple perspectives, including Jane, Grandison, and the police detectives who are investigating the case. This allows the reader to see the events from different angles and keeps the story interesting and engaging.

One of the strengths of the book is the author’s ability to create a sense of tension and suspense throughout the story. From the opening pages, the reader is drawn into the mystery of Rosaleen’s death and is kept guessing until the very end. The solution to the mystery is surprising and satisfying, and the final chapters of the book are filled with excitement and danger.

The Unsuspected is a well-written and engaging mystery novel that will appeal to fans of classic crime fiction. The characters are interesting and the plot is cleverly constructed, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. If you enjoy classic mysteries with well-drawn characters and a strong sense of suspense, then The Unsuspected is definitely worth a read and you can get a copy from Amazon here.