Emma Lathen has mastered the techniques of classical or "Golden Age" detective fiction. First, the novels are narrated from the omniscient point of view, so that the reader knows through exposition and description everything about the crime except the intimate thoughts of the detective. She then establishes a closed society usually defined by a small group of Wall Street bankers and a few of their clients. In Death Shall Overcome, the workings of an orderly society are interrupted by a violent murder. Art Foote's death brings into play a wavering finger of suspicion which hovers over a number of suspects. Included in this list of suspects are several "red herrings" in the guise of disgruntled bankers who are either economically or socially threatened by Edward Parry's forthcoming partnership in a prestigious brokerage house.

The development of the plot further illustrates the author's adherence to classical technique. She begins...